Laura Zucker was born with a cleft lip and palate. By 14, she had undergone more than 18 surgeries, but the surgery she remembers most vividly took place when she was eight. Zucker was being wheeled into the operating room when her parents were unexpectedly told to stay behind. As the operating door closed, Zucker looked around the room and knew no one.
“I just began to scream,” says Zucker. “I was absolutely terrified. The anesthesiologist clamped the mask on my face, and all I could hear were my screams until I passed out. I never, ever want a child to go through that,” says Zucker,
The chilling memory stayed with her. It wasn’t until 2003 when Zucker met family friend, Sandra Oberman, director of MUSC Children’s Hospital child life department, that she learned there is a profession dedicated to preparing children for these types of situations.
MUSC has one of the largest child life departments in the state, and they help the more than 10,000 children treated annually at MUSC Children’s Hospital. Unfortunately, the need far surpasses the number of specialists available because there are no child life degree programs in the state.
Understanding Child Life
Child life specialists are pediatric health care professionals who work with children and families in hospitals and other settings to help them cope with the challenges of hospitalization, illness, and disability. They provide children with age-appropriate preparation for medical procedures, pain management and coping strategies, and play and self-expression activities. They also provide information, support, and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members.
Child life specialists are most commonly found in hospital settings, but they also assist children, siblings, and families in settings like the Ronald McDonald House, children’s centers for sexual abuse or domestic violence, children’s hospice, and camps for children with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.
Raising Awareness
On October 18, 2013, the Zucker family will be recognized for their commitment to raising awareness about the need for a master’s program in child life at the College of Charleston.
Fran Welch, dean of the College’s School of Education, Health, and Human Performance says, “We anticipate that by 2020, certification as a child life specialist will require a master’s degree. Thanks to Laura’s leadership and vision, we’re poised to meet this need in our state. It is a perfect fit at the College because of our strength in early childhood education and our multi-disciplinary influences such as psychology, sociology and the arts. We are grateful Laura found a home for her passion here at the College.”
An alumna of the College’s graduate program in early childhood education, Zucker, her husband Jonathan, mother-in-law Anita, and a collaboration of donors have pledged $150,000 to start the process of developing a child life program.
[Related: Learn about the College’s M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education.]
Zucker says, “ You just don’t understand how vital this profession is until you and your child experience it first-hand. Child life specialists are life-savers for children and their families.”
