I'm visiting Montana today, and lots has been going on up here. We have three member hospitals up in Montana: Billings Clinic, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, and St. Vincent Healthcare.
While I was visiting Kalispell Regional Medical Center, I was able to meet with Carri, a pediatric Social Worker! As we talked, she told me the huge impact Beads of Courage has had on patients, and the power it holds to help patients and families visualize and talk about their journeys. She told me that even the hospital staff share in the excitement and are excited to help patients show their treatment journey in such a beautiful way. When I asked her about how she has seen Beads of Courage help members, she shared a wonderful story about one of her patients:
“For one particular young child, the program appears to have contributed to improving his emotional state and engagement with others. This child initially presented sullen and quiet, and now we see him more interactive and smiling. He looks forward to knowing there is a tangible object for each step in his treatment and is eager to share these experiences with others.”
At Kalispell Regional Medical Center, they use Beads of Courage as a multidisciplinary approach. Carri said that as a social worker, she sees how families use their beads differently while they talk through challenges and celebrate successes. Carri also told me that she likes that “anyone can give beads and patients are excited to receive the beads. It brings awareness, joy, and connection!”
Thanks, Carri, for sharing your stories with me! If you want to Make Courage Roar like Carri, be sure to participate and fund the mission of the 9th Annual Bead Challenge!
Courage Tiger’s 2017 Road Trip is a feature of the 9th Annual Bead Challenge, a three-month nationwide fundraiser and beadraiser for Beads of Courage. As the official Beads of Courage mascot, Courage Tiger is visiting all 50 states to highlight the incredible work our organization does by sharing stories of our courageous members, families, clinicians, and the caring community of artists and supporters who make our vital work possible. Please get involved in Bead Challenge 2017 by visiting www.beadchallenge.org today. Sign up to PARTICIPATE as a fundraiser, CREATE glass beads, or DONATE to the cause. With your help, we can Make Courage Roar for kids coping with serious illness! Many thanks to Bead Challenge 2017 presenting sponsor Northwestern Mutual and supporting sponsor Soda Lime Times.
- Contributed by Cristal Rogers, Marketing and Communications Intern, Beads of Courage
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