Positive Image Center
Supporting the psychosocial and emotional care of children in the hospital setting is essential to the healing process. The Positive Image Center located in room 2629 in the American Family Children's Hospital is an innovative program, specifically tailored to the hospitalized child.The center's purpose is to facilitate healing in mind, body, and spirit - yet remain sensitive to each child's needs, despite his or her physical circumstances.
Optimizing a patient's ability to effectively cope with the effects of medical treatment will lead to an enhanced self-image and self-esteem that can be negatively altered by disease and injury. As each child encounters the negative effects of illness and treatment - such as loss of hair, weight loss and other changes in physical appearance - healing health care will protect the child's dignity.
At the Positive Image Center, children will be able to:
- Get wigs, hats and scarves to cover balding due to chemotherapy or neurosurgery
- Learn how to apply makeup to mask scars or lessen the impact of other appearance-altering treatments
- Get ready for class pictures or prom, when the "right look" feels so important to them
- Most importantly, the program will support the child in a way that responds to his or her own particular emotional needs and desires
Lisa's Story: Prom... and Cancer
16-year-old Lisa was looking forward to her first prom, excited to be making plans with friends about dresses and hair styles. Then, one month before prom night, the news came that Lisa has cancer.Lisa felt like her world was crumbling. After hearing about the course of treatment that would involve loss of hair and weight, Lisa decided not to even go to prom. She became depressed and angry, and she began to resent her friends, who were continuing to make plans for prom without her.
Concerned about what they could do to encourage Lisa to go to prom, Lisa's mother asked the pediatric oncologist for advice to help Lisa to change her mind. The oncologist referred Lisa and her mom to the Positive Image Center.
After several consultations and visits, Lisa changed her mind - and she attended prom with her friends.
Just as the center helped Lisa to enjoy one of the rites of her teenage years, the Positive Image Center's purpose is to facilitate healing in mind, body and spirit for our young patients, while remaining sensitive to each child's needs, despite their physical circumstances.
As each child encounters the negative effects of illness and treatment - such as loss of hair and weight loss or gain - healing health care provided at the Positive Image Center will help protect the child's dignity.