STORIES FROM YOUTH WHO USE OUR BOOKS

Each young person is affected by our books in different ways, as each comes with their own unique story and background. We have gathered some stories that may inspire and increase your understand about the value of our programs and books.

We welcome your stories as well. Please write to us and share your photos or experiences using our books…

Patrick was first diagnosed with Leukemia when he was three years old. He spent months in isolation for various infections and bone marrow transplants and received Oodles of Doodles during one of his many lengthy stays. While receiving treatment, he also participated in our Art Buddy workshops at the Hutch School. His family shared with us how it transformed his hospital experience:

“Oodles allowed us to show doctors that Patrick was more than just a patient. We taped the ‘All about Me’ page on his hospital room door so that they would know that he loved sports, the ocean and art. We used pages to decorate the cold walls. Each night we read the words aloud from the ‘Dreams’ page. In the all too familiar sterility of a hospital room, the beautifully created Oodles created an escape from the reality of illness into one of imagination and future hopes and dreams.”

19 year old “Diane” remembers being taken into protective custody for the first time when she was eight. A teacher, noticing bruising on one of her sisters, alerted the authorities. His suspicions were well-founded and for the next several years, Diane and siblings bounced back and forth between foster care and home. At age 13, Diane was permanently removed from her mother’s custody. Through it all, Diane had experienced many difficult health issues which required frequent hospital stays of weeks, or even months. While hospitalized, Diane received her first Oodles book. Later, she became the first teenager to receive Chill & Spill.

Says Diane, “I immediately connected to the books. They’ve been powerful tools to help me heal from my past, as well as from things I’m dealing with now. They help me express things I can’t say out loud.”

“Laurie” was a new resident at the Renaissance Home For youth in Alexandria, Louisiana and refused to talk to anyone. Her case manager, Crystal, offered her a Chill & Spill book and kept it safe from the others in her office. As Laurie worked through the book, the “Exclusive Interview” activity captured her imagination and she worked on it for quite a long time.

“She had always been told that she was a trouble maker, that she was ‘good for nothing.’ This activity asked her questions about her strengths and talents, which made her realize that she did have something to offer. She now is outgoing and participates in group activities. She even has a life goal now as a direct result of the book: she wants to be a pediatrician.”

“Sally” is a private fifteen year-old who had temporarily moved to Seattle and was attending the Fred Hutchinson’s Cancer Research Center’s “Hutch School” in Seattle while her mother was undergoing a stem cell transplant for leukemia. The weekly high school group for youth affected by cancer was going through the Chill & Spill journal. She finished “Inside of Me” during the group session and then volunteered to share her entry with the group. Sally shared that she was experiencing feelings of loss, fear, anger and hopelessness. Sally’s sharing sparked a conversation amongst her peers that normalized her feelings and helped other students express themselves as well.

More stories specific to Oodles of Doodles or Chill & Spill can be found in our Books & Programs section.