Children's Hospital Association Family Advocacy Day stresses the importance of children’s hospitals

Normally, a patient and their family represent Children's Wisconsin in Washington, D.C. in meetings with members of Congress as part of the annual Children's Hospital Association's Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was once again virtual, with participants and their families meeting with their lawmakers over Zoom. When Carson was 14, one early March morning he went out to his family’s garage and did something unthinkable, something irreversible, something sadly all too common. When he awoke several hours later at Children’s Wisconsin — confused, scared and surrounded by his loving family — something inside of him had changed. From unimaginable darkness came a renewed light. Over the past four years, he has gone through dozens of reconstructive surgeries, and will still have to undergo more. But Carson, now 18, is thriving. He played football at Seymour High School, just west of Green Bay, and plans to attend UW-Oshkosh in the fall. He also wants to continue working as a voice for young people who are struggling, turning his own painful suicide attempt into something positive. Learn more about Carson.

Normally, a patient and their family represent Children's Wisconsin in Washington, D.C. in meetings with members of Congress as part of the annual Children's Hospital Association's Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event went virtual, with eight-year-old Arvan and his mom, Leanna, meeting with their lawmakers over Zoom. In first grade, Arvan started struggling emotionally and behaviorally at school, which began interfering with his learning, his friendships and his overall health and well-being. Other kids were sometimes unkind to him, he had trouble relating to his peers and when he got frustrated, there would be outbursts and running from the classroom. Sadly, he was showing signs of depression and made statements about hurting himself. Staff at Knapp Community School met with Arvan and Leanna and suggested he start receiving in-school mental and behavioral health services provided by Children's Wisconsin. Once therapy started with Kristine, a child and family therapist with Children's, Arvan's behavior quickly began to change. With skills and tools learned with Kristine and modeled at home by Leanna, Arvan was learning how to manage and cope with his feelings and interact more positively with others. Watch this video to see photos from their experience and learn more about Arvan's care!

In June, nine-year-old Derell and his mom Etta, from from Milwaukee, Wisc., represented Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Washington, D.C. in meetings with members of Congress as part of the annual Children's Hospital Association's Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day. Derell was having trouble staying focused in school, fidgeting and talking out of turn. He started to show signs of depression as a result of his struggles in school and struggles with his peers. When Children's opened the Midtown Clinic close to their home, Etta brought Derell in and they began participating in the Integrated Behavioral Health Program which brings behavioral health therapists and pediatric psychologists into the primary care setting. Derell was able to open up and work on coping skills and strategies to manage his behaviors and feelings. His behavior transformed rapidly, his grades improved and he was getting along with other kids. Learn more about their trip to Washington, D.C. and more about his care. PS: check out the photo of Derell and Etta meeting with their member of Congress - Congresswoman Moore!