ParentWISE
ParentWISE — Parent Wisdom In Shared Experience — is a Children's Memorial Hospital volunteer program that supports parents during their child's diagnosis and treatment. ParentWISE volunteers know first-hand what it is like to care for a seriously ill child.
"Connecting with the ParentWISE volunteer gave my husband and me hope that we could get through this ordeal, and it helped our own parents imagine a future for their grandchild" - NICU parent
Building on the common bond of their child's illness or care experience, ParentWISE:
Connects the parents of current patients with experienced and specially trained parent-volunteers;
Empowers parents to partner effectively with their child's care team, and to advocate for their child during and after treatment; and
Supports families in managing the stresses of having a very sick child.
Families experience emotional and practical difficulties when a child is very sick. Parents — the people who are making day-to-day health care decisions for a child — often feel uncertain, anxious, and isolated. Not even well-intentioned family and friends know first-hand what they are going through. But there are other parents who do.
Because of their personal experiences, ParentWISE volunteers offer hope and practical support to families coping with medical or surgical challenges.
"I learned so much during my own child's illness. Now I want to help other parents who are facing similar challenges" - ParentWISE volunteer.
The ParentWISE program is currently established in all inpatient units and some outpatient clinics.
"When riding on the roller coaster of parenting a sick child, there is nothing like another parent who has been on the ride to give insight, survival tips, and hope. " - Victoria Collado, President, Family Advisory Board, 2005.
ParentWISE builds on the success of a volunteer parent initiative established in 1987, and is still offered by parents for parents. It operates with the support of Children's Memorial Hospital leadership, medical, and ancillary staff, and the Family Advisory Board.
PeerWISE
Another unique component of family support at Children's Memorial is PeerWISE - Peer Wisdom In Shared Experience. Young adults who have themselves coped with serious illnesses or conditions return to offer hope and support to patients and their families. These volunteers know exactly what it is like to go through challenging treatments in the hospital or as an outpatient.
“I know what the kids and their families are going through and I know that it’s a tough road to go down so it’s nice to be able to come in and talk with them and share stories” - Katie, PeerWISE Volunteer
Currently, PeerWISE includes volunteers with experience of solid organ or stem cell transplant, and orthopaedic surgery (posterior spinal fusion). PeerWISE volunteers receive specialized training, and help to connect with, empower, and support patients in the course of their treatment journey.
Links of interest include: Family Services, Kohl's House, the Family Advisory Board, and the Kids Advisory Board.
To be connected with a ParentWISE or PeerWISE volunteer, call the ParentWISE referral line at 773.880.4119. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact Volunteer@childrensmemorial.org. Please mention your interest in the ParentWISE or PeerWISE program.