Finding Comfort in Books
By Eleanor, a Children’s National patient
It’s hard to be a kid with multiple, serious chronic health problems. I have spent most of my teenage years in and out of the hospital.
I was 15 for my first Children's National Hospital admission and it was really tough. I couldn't have friends visit because of the pandemic. Allie from the Family Resource Center came to my room one day. We talked about books and Marvel comics and, you know, normal things for about half an hour. It was a very positive interaction that lifted my day and the whole week. Talking to Allie helped me forget about medical things for a while.
Any time I’m admitted to the hospital, Allie comes to see me. Visiting the Resource Center, if I’m able, is a break from my hospital room. Last summer I volunteered at the hospital three days a week – I stopped by there a lot. I love the smell of new books and the fairy lights. The Family Resource Center is a safe space that always makes my hospital stays easier, and a little more fun.
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