Managing Chronic Illness Is Easier with Starlight Hospital Gowns
For children living with a chronic illness, they can face daily challenges in the hospital and at home. Starlight Hospital Gowns gives kids in the hospital positive experiences that leads to happiness while managing their chronic illness.
Meet Kierra
Teen Kierra lives with multiple chronic illnesses, including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), autoimmune conditions, heart murmur and arrhythmia, seizures, a brain cyst, and chronic migraines. The physical challenges she faces look different each day but often include lots of fainting, chronic pain, dislocations, fatigue, and many other symptoms.
A frequent patient at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kierra speaks to the challenges standard-issue hospital gowns create for her.
“Regular hospital gowns are always so uncomfortable and stiff, and, well, not practical for the patient and their dignity.” - Kierra
One of the most stressful moments for kids is changing from their regular clothes into a hospital gown. When kids feel exposed due to a lack of coverage on standard-issue hospital gowns, it can increase their stress and discomfort.
A More Positive Experience
Starlight Hospital Gowns gave Kierra a more positive experience. Specially designed with snaps on the sleeves and ties down the side, Starlight Gowns help Kierra manage stress and discomfort through greater privacy and coverage.
“Starlight helps to change this by having fun gowns, which are comfortable and have ties on the side and buttons, so the back isn't exposed.” -Kierra
Starlight Hospital Gowns also come in fun, whimsical designs or familiar characters, which offers kids and teens an opportunity for self-expression and the ability to choose in an environment where they may not have many choices. The gowns’ colorful options boosts Kierra’s mood and emotional well-being.
“The gowns definitely make me happier as I am not in drab colors and it makes me feel less like I am in the hospital and more like I am wearing clothes from home.”
- Kierra
A Pathway to Connection
Starlight Gowns also give Kierra a way to connect with other people in the hospital. In times when kids and teens may feel isolated, the gowns provide positive interactions, create a way to bond, and make new relationships with others.
“It has also been something that brings extra smiles to my face when people compliment them- as that isn't something that normally happens with the regular hospital gowns. I'm so thankful for Starlight and their impact in my life and the lives of others!” – Kierra
Through the happiness from a Starlight program, Kierra can endure the challenges of hospitalization with courage. By boosting her mood, giving her a way to connect with others, and providing more privacy, Kierra can feel happier and navigate hospitalization with confidence.
More than 5 million children are hospitalized each year, who are in need of the happiness a Starlight program can bring.
You can help seriously ill kids manage the challenges they face living with a chronic illness by donating to Starlight today.
