The Importance of Small Acts of Kindness
As you know, Pause supports all families who have kiddos with differing needs - including those with chronic medical conditions. Any caregiver who has spent time in the hospital with their child will understand the constant stress, anxiety and lack of sleep that comes with an extended hospital stay.
One of the realities of having a child with ongoing medical needs is never knowing when a medical crisis might arise. Caregivers can live in a constant state of hypervigilance and even when things are going well, they are preparing for the next season of hard to come. Medical binders, packed “crisis” bags and closets of medical supplies are the rule instead of a rarity.
One of our Pause kiddos recently needed an out of state hospital visit, requiring this Pause mama to drive over five hours away with two full large suitcases and no idea how long they’d be staying. This is an unfortunate commonality with kids who have rare diagnosis’. On top of the logistics like finding childcare for other kids, managing jobs and previously scheduled appointments, these families have to add travel details, hotel stays, rental cars or plane tickets. The stress can be overwhelming even with the most organized and detailed emergency plans and ripple down into financial stress, sibling anxiety and partner relationship difficulties.
As soon as our CAN DO community heard this mama was away with her kiddo, they rallied to schedule meals for the rest of the family at home. Gifts of coffee, encouraging words and medical research were offered. THIS. This is where impact is made and a seat at the table we all are invited to. When medical alarms go off, test results come back with bad news and pain medicines aren’t working, these are the things that make a difference. They fill a child and caregivers bucket so they have the strength and energy to keep going. We can’t all be doctors with answers or scientists with cures, but we CAN DO something.
After a long week of countless tests and a stressful surgery, this mama and kiddo came home to a decorated door, a fridge full of sweets, and a special goody basket made by a Pause mom and kiddo who understand hospital visits and life that is unpredictable. These random acts of kindness make a family feel seen and make a kid know they matter.
CAN DO, you have the capacity to step into extremely stressful situations like this one and change the trajectory for a family. Sometimes it's the big things that change a life, but most of the time it’s the small things done with great love that make the difference. The power comes from doing them together.
THIS is CAN DO. This is community. This is YOUR support.
