By Laura Thornton
As music and laughter filled the hallways of Kennedy Krieger Institute’s inpatient rehabilitation hospital, Pickles the Clown called out, “It’s the Pickles Positivity Parade—join us!”
Everyone—patients, parents and other caregivers, hospital staff members—turned out for the parade, holding signs saying “Keep up the great work!” and other messages of positivity. Pickles gave out prizes and did magic tricks—it was like a giant, happy block party, right in the heart of the hospital.
“I’m happiest when I’m Pickles the Clown,” says Sharon Borshay, who leads the Institute’s Child Life and Recreation Therapies Department. A recreational therapist by training, Borshay guides her staff in supporting the patients receiving care in the Institute’s hospital.
“We normalize the hospital experience for our patients, making it less intimidating,” Borshay explains. “Child life specialists prepare kids for medical procedures. Recreational therapists help them keep up with their favorite activities, post-injury or illness, and learn new ones. Patients form friendships in our Rec Room.”
The department is unusual among pediatric hospitals in that it employs a broad range of specialists who are integral members of the hospital’s interdisciplinary care team. “Our patients are kids and teens working hard to meet their rehabilitation goals,” Borshay says. “We ensure they’re doing that in as normal an environment as possible, and that they’re having fun along the way.”
We put the ‘fun’ in ‘functional.’” – Sharon Borshay
Who’s Who on Our Rec Team
Child life specialists help patients feel more at ease through creative play, whether it’s incorporating a fun art activity into a medical procedure or explaining a diagnosis in kid-friendly terms. They support siblings, too!
Recreational therapists adapt sports, crafts and games to help patients meet their therapy goals while socializing and doing activities they enjoy. They also take patients on fun outings to help them practice new skills and reintegrate into the community.
Music therapists use music to encourage patients to express their feelings, relax and even improve their motor skills. They also offer fun activities like music bingo for parents and other caregivers.
Recreational activities staff members work in our Rec Room in the evenings and on weekends, so patients always have a place to go to do something fun and relax.
Our patient and family experience manager makes sure patients’ caregivers are well taken care of. It’s the little things that make a big impact, whether it’s running errands for caregivers, planning a weekly lunch for them, answering questions or being their advocate.