Small Moments of Joy: Toys for Kids in the Palliative Care Family Room
The Family Room in the St. Paul’s Hospital Palliative Care Unit is a calm, welcoming space with big windows overlooking the treetops and big prairie sky. It’s a place where families can spend time together or take a break during some of the hardest days they may ever face.
For many young family members, these visits to the Palliative Care Unit may be their first experience with death. They may be trying to understand what it means to lose someone they love, while also navigating the unfamiliar sights, sounds and emotions of a hospital.
In the midst of that, something as simple as a toy can offer a welcome moment of normalcy.
That understanding is at the heart of a new initiative in the Palliative Care Unit Family Room, inspired by a deeply personal experience for Kerri Dolgopol, Manager of Palliative Care and 2nd Medicine.
Earlier this year, Kerri’s grandson became critically ill and was airlifted from Kelowna to B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. Her family spent 14 long days there. During that time, she saw how small acts of kindness could make a profound difference for a child experiencing a frightening place.
Her four-year-old grandson was overwhelmed by the machines, noises and unfamiliar surroundings and was scared to visit his brother. A Child Life Specialist began giving him a small toy each day he visited.
“Before long, what had been a frightening place became somewhere he looked forward to coming,” Kerri says.
As Kerri’s ill grandson began to improve, he also received a toy after difficult procedures. After having a chest tube removed, for example, he was given a remote-control car.
When Kerri returned to St. Paul’s, she shared the experience with her colleagues, and they asked themselves: What if they could create something similar for children visiting the Palliative Care Unit?
Previously, the Family Room had a collection of shared puzzles, games, crayons, markers, stickers and small toys. While families appreciated having them available, the items were often left scattered around the room, with missing pieces and supplies that needed to be sorted or replaced.
The team began imagining a different approach, that instead of shared toys that stayed in the Family Room, children could choose something of their own to keep.
They decided to give the idea a try, and were able to purchase toys to give away thanks to donor support.
The Family Room now features a bookcase with a selection of new toys, puzzles and books that children and families are welcome to take with them. For older children, the team also has age-appropriate options such as LEGO that are offered separately.
The approach is simple, but the response has shown the team how meaningful these small gifts can be.
Recently, three very large families were using the Family Room, including one family with more than 50 people present, and at least 20 of them children. The team invited each child to choose something to keep.
The children gathered in a circle, proudly comparing what they had chosen, helping one another build and play, and spending hours simply being children together.
For a little while, the focus was on toys, not illness. On playing, not the difficult conversations that may have been happening elsewhere.
And this time, nothing was left behind. Each toy had a new owner.
When someone asked Kerri whether the team was worried the shelves would be emptied quickly, she wasn’t worried.
“If they are, then those families needed them more than we did,” she said.
The team expects the initiative to continue evolving as they learn what children of different ages enjoy most. For now, the bookcase is ready and the Family Room has one more way to offer comfort, connection and a little something positive to look forward to.
Made possible through the generosity of Foundation donors, it is a small gesture with a meaningful purpose: helping children feel cared for as they navigate some of the most difficult days their families may face.
If you are interested in supporting this initiative, please donate online or contact the Foundation at 306-655-5821 or info@sphfoundation.org and ask for your gift to support Palliative Care Toys.