Bear Boo-Boos Healed with Love
Fuzzy patients teach important lessons
Lahey Outpatient Center, Danvers, had an influx of fuzzy patients Sunday morning who were suffering from conditions ranging from tummy aches to sympathy pains.
“He ate too much candy, and now his belly hurts!” said 4-year old Cameron, handing a teddy bear to Thomas Seman, MD, of North Shore Pediatrics. Cameron was one of hundreds who attended the third annual Teddy Bear Clinic. The event, part of the two-week long Danvers Family Festival, encourages local children to learn about the doctor’s office in a fun way, with their favorite toy or a stuffed friend in tow.
“We use this as an opportunity to teach the kids to take care of themselves and to make sure you ask Mom or Dad for help when you don’t feel well,” said Dr. Seman, who sent Cameron’s bear onto X-ray and to receive a bandage around his stomach.
“He’s feeling better now,” Cameron said, once his bear was all patched up.
Dr. Seman performed initial check-ups on bears throughout the morning, listening to the bears’ breathing and heartbeat with a stethoscope and asking the concerned “parents” what was ailing their bears.
“The purpose of the event is to have children come into a clinical environment and have a positive experience,” said Pat Ferreira, RN, Clinical Administrator, Lifestyle Management, Medical Specialties. Ferreira co-chaired the event with Sharon O’Connell, administrative assistant at Lahey Outpatient Center, Danvers.
Kids brought their bears for a blood pressure check-up and got to pick out a bandage for their furry friend. While the little ones had fun playing pretend, parents were happy for the opportunity to create a positive memory at the doctor’s office for their children, in hopes that a future visit won’t be as daunting.
For Melissa Dube, RN, who works for the Beverly Hospital oncology unit, the clinic was a chance to help her daughter Morgan, 3, feel more comfortable about illness in general. Morgan’s dad suffers from epilepsy and recently had a seizure at their home. Morgan witnessed it and rushed in with a blanket and bandages to try to help.
“I am trying to teach Morgan not to be scared of people who are hurt,” Dube said. “She says she wants to be a doctor.”
Parents, kids, and the newly patched-up bears enjoyed an ice cream social sponsored by food service provider Unidyne after the clinic — a sweet reward for a day of healthy learning.
