I love finding programs that provide support to both patients and their family members. I’m sure quite a few of you are already aware of the Beads of Courage program, but if not I am so excited to be able to share some of my favorite parts of this program! I feel like I should insert the disclaimer here, this program is not a cheap one to be able to implement. However, the benefits of it can easily outweigh cost. If a child life program doesn’t have funding for this specific service there are other programs that are similar and cost less money to start and upkeep.
I like that this program is pretty easy to manage and upkeep once it’s started. The company has organized everything so that there isn’t much opportunity for confusion to creep in. I also very much appreciate that there are a wide range of diagnoses that are applicable for enrollment in the Beads of Courage program. I can 100% admit that I get annoyed when non-profits, or even volunteers and donors, only focus on oncology patients. They are definitely a very important population to provide supportive services to, but there are also MANY other patient populations that shouldn’t be overlooked. I also really appreciate that there is a sibling program through Beads of Courage, we all know how important supporting siblings can be.
Beads of Courage is also helpful because it provides a non-verbal way to tell a patients story. The collection and stringing of beads is supportive of caregivers coping, allowing them an expressive outlet. When patients are too young to understand all that is occurring the beads will be there later to share their journey. I really like utilizing the beads with older children as a reflective tool and helpful for post-processing. It can be easy to just drop off beads, but there is a great opportunity for coping and processing while talking with the patient about their earned beads.
I also really appreciate these beads in grief situations. I have had some families tell me that it is hard to look at their beads once their child passes. But, overwhelmingly I hear positive reflections about how the beads have allowed families to feel close to their child and bring a sense of healing. Beads are a tangible piece of their child when they are no longer with the family. I encourage you to learn more about the Beads of Courage program and see if there is a way for your child life program to incorporate it, or something similar, into practice. Please check out their website http://beadsofcourage.org/ to learn more
-K
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