Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Kelley Gavel, about her journey through the challenges and profound rewards of supporting children and families in critical care settings. With dual master's degrees in Developmental Psychology and Clinical Counseling, Kelley brings a uniquely holistic perspective to her work in a bustling 36-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

The conversation delves into the unexpected ways child life extends beyond hospital walls—like coordinating with schools to help classmates process a friend's absence or arranging virtual reading sessions between hospitalized children and their classes. Kelley shares touching stories of bridging these worlds, providing not just medical understanding but genuine community connection during crisis.

Perhaps most revealing are Kelley's insights into bereavement support, where memorial lights that cast rainbows become powerful symbols of continued connection for grieving families. Kelley shares a touching story highlighting how these simple objects transform into profound sources of comfort.

What might surprise listeners most is learning that the most essential PICU skill isn't medical knowledge but rather the ability to sit in silence with suffering families. "Sitting quietly somewhere with a sobbing adult or kid and being quiet," Kelley emphasizes, challenging the natural instinct to fill uncomfortable moments with words. This quiet presence, paired with carefully crafted empathetic statements that avoid the problematic "I'm sorry," forms the cornerstone of truly effective support.

For aspiring specialists, Kelley offers practical wisdom: practice open-ended questions, remain receptive to unexpected passions, and recognize that sometimes the wildest part of PICU work is witnessing children defy impossible odds. Those Christmas cards on her refrigerator—from families once prepared for funeral arrangements—stand as powerful reminders of why this challenging work matters so deeply.

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