This Child Life Month, we collected stories by child life professionals to build community in the profession and showcase the impact of the profession on its members, children and families, and workplaces. We received so many wonderful stories about your child life journeys, reasons for choosing child life, supporting patients, novel ideas, and meaningful experiences. We look forward to sharing them on our #ChildLIfe blog in a new series "Your Child Life Stories." Do you have a child life story to share? Submissions are rolling and can be sent via jotform here.

Emily Oler, CCLS: A Child Life Memory

I am the Certified Child Life Specialist at a Child Advocacy Center. Our mission is to reduces trauma and promote healing for children and adults with intellectual disabilities who are victims of or witnesses to crime. To accomplish our mission, Safe Harbor provides a trauma-informed, safe, child-friendly environment for best practice forensic interviews; immediate and ongoing advocacy for affected children and families; and coordination and support of multi-disciplinary investigations and responses. On this day, a mother, daughter, and son came in for their second time to our center. The first time this family was here, the daughter was to be interviewed regarding sexual abuse but no disclosure was made because she was just not ready to revisit that trauma. This time, the daughter disclosed the sexual abuse while being interviewed as a witness to her brother's physical abuse. Mom was informed of this disclosure and was devastated. After the daughter's interview was done, she and I decided to paint with watercolors. I had to step away for a moment and on my return, the mother had taken over my spot and was painting with her daughter. Instead of re-joining them, I stood back and allowed them to have this time together. Sharing an activity, in silence, not having to talk about what the daughter had just disclosed, but the love and support the mom had for her daughter was felt. The daughter wasn't the only one that needed a calming activity while here, but the mom benefited from it too. I could overhear them telling each other how much they loved one another and both were taking turns complimenting each other's painting. The daughter was practicing painting her stars. She perfected them and was very excited about it. Mom said to her daughter, "I'm so proud of you, baby...". I knew she was proud of more than just her daughter's watercolor stars.

Cynthia Millard: Reflections Upon Retirement after 43 years

After 43 years of having the honor to provide support to patients and families at Shriners Children’s in Portland Oregon, I have retired. My whole career was spent at Shriners!! Before there were classes to learn child life skills, I basically taught myself the skills that made me into the best professional and successful CCLS I could be!! I did have more child development courses and was “grandfathered” into Child Life in the 80’s. I had a few CCLS’s that I worked with and who role modeled skills. Over the years I became a leader and influencer within the hospital! I did eventually sit for the test in 2003 and became a staunch advocate for child life interventions and support throughout the hospital. It’s so rare to have one’s entire child life career completed in one facility, especially in these times. I wish ALL Child Life Specialists (and those pursuing CCLS) the best in your careers.

Claire Brenner, Graduate Student & Intern: My Why

I began my journey with arthritis at 6 years old. After months of experiencing severe joint pain, I was referred to a rheumatologist and diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and began treatment for my condition. I had wonderful child life specialists who truly changed my life and lead me to where I am today. I am currently enrolled in a Child Life Master’s program and credit my child life journey to the wonderful healthcare team at Scottish Rite. In my final semester, I am completing a clinical internship and have the opportunity to work with children and families at CHRISTUS Children’s in San Antonio. I truly don’t know where I would be without the wonderful child life specialists who helped me through my journey and I hope to have that same impact on the lives of the patients and families I work with. My child life specialists and future patients are my “why”!