"If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Keep asking questions. You know your child better than anyone."-Jessica Baird, CCLS

We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website.

What do you do when doctors keep telling you nothing is wrong—but your child is in pain every single day? For Jessica, a child life specialist and mom, that answer was simple: keep pushing until someone listens.

In this powerful conversation, Katie sits down with Jessica to talk about the emotional, and eye-opening journey she went through to get answers for her daughter. What started as mild COVID symptoms quickly turned into persistent leg pain, countless doctor visits, dismissals, and dead ends—until finally, they got the diagnosis: long COVID.

Katie and Jessica dive into what it feels like when medical professionals dismiss your concerns, how to find the right doctors who will listen, and why trusting your instincts as a parent is everything. They also talk about how long COVID is still misunderstood, especially in kids, and what families can do if they suspect their child is affected.

What You’ll Take Away from This Episode:

💡 Your intuition is your superpower – If you feel something isn’t right, don’t back down.

 

💡 Not all doctors get it right the first time – Second (and third) opinions can make all the difference.

 

💡 Long COVID in kids is real – But many medical professionals still don’t recognize it.

 

💡 You’re not alone – There are resources, specialists, and support groups out there to help.

 

 

Links & Resources:

🔗 Connect with Jessica

Kids Can Cope Instagram

Kids Can Cope Website

Listen to Jessica's episode with Katie where they talk about Child Life in the ER. 

Long Covid Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode

• Cleveland Clinic-"What to know about Long COVID in Kids"
• Nationwide Children's-"Practical Reccomendations for Long COVID in Children"
• Long Covid Kids Organization

❤️ Ready to make hospital visits and medical journeys easier for your family? With SupportSpot, you get instant access to expert child life tips, emotional support, and resources right at your fingertips. For the next 7 days, try it FREE and discover how this app can reduce stress, ease your child’s anxiety, and help you feel more prepared every step of the way. Subscribers have the opportunity to sign up for a free visit with a Child Life Specialist at CLOC to help you get the support you need from SupportSpot. Try it for free by clicking this link. 

🎙️Meet the host: 

Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.

Instagram.com/childlifeoncall

Facebook.com/childlifeoncall

linkedin.com/in/kfdonovan

 

The Child Life On Call Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Child Life On Call Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Child Life On Call. Child Life On Call does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Child Life On Call and its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.