Because of child life, Mason isn’t afraid
When Brittany and Tyler Tomjanovich raced into the emergency department at American Family Children’s Hospital, fear consumed them. Their 5-month-old son, Mason, had just had a seizure in Brittany’s arms. Amid the chaos, a child life specialist met them with something simple: a sandwich, water and a reminder to care for themselves so they could care for Mason.
That moment marked the beginning of a journey: six surgeries, 20 emergency visits, over 100 appointments and countless blood draws. Mason, now 6, lives with a complex chromosomal disorder. Yet, through every challenge, child life has been there—offering toy trucks, gentle words and comfort that cuts through fear.
“Because of child life, Mason isn’t afraid,” Brittany shares. “He looks forward to going to the hospital. He asks, ‘Will the person with the toys be there?’”
With child life specialist Janice Ferguson by his side, Mason faced his recent blood draw with courage—and even a smile. Hear from Mason’s mom in this special video.
Child life has helped prepare Mason for surgeries and helped his parents stay grounded when the “what-ifs” became overwhelming. They’ve also supported his sister, Hailey, who has seen many ambulances arrive outside their home. With play and compassion, child life has helped her understand what’s happening with her little brother and reminded her she’s seen and loved, too.
Now that Mason’s health is stable, the family is feeling like there’s room to breathe again. Brittany and Tyler even spent a night away for the first time in six years.
No matter what happens in the future, Child Life will continue to be a steady, compassionate presence for Mason and his family.
Because of you, kids and families have what they need to cope and to have a little fun
Child life is funded 100% by philanthropy and couldn’t happen without you. Child life specialists help kids cope with illness, easing their worries through play, preparation and emotional support. They are trained in child development and hold a National Child Life Professional Certification to bring comfort during difficult moments and provide moments of fun for the whole family.
Here’s what you made happen in 2024:
25,540 moments of comfort provided by 17 child life specialists and three child life assistants
1,039 tail-wagging visits from five CHAMPs facility dogs
1,890 music therapy sessions to bring calm, courage and joy
160 Positive Image Center visits to help patients feel strong and confident
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