Child Life Comes Full Circle

Article By Jessica Moore

I was five years old the first time I met a Child Life Specialist (CLS) after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. The CLS, who worked at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital in CA, became my guide through the process of surgery, treatment, and recovery, making my stay at the hospital less traumatic and more positive. Over the next several years of my life as I dealt with cancer treatments, I came in contact with other CLS’s who continued to not only guide me and support me, but to also provide me with activities and resources to take my mind off of what I was going through and help me cope with my diagnosis. As I recovered and moved beyond cancer treatment, I never forgot the CLS’s who touched my life and made such a difference in my whole cancer experience. 

Recently, I made the decision to attend college, choosing a career as a CLS which seems like the best fit for me. Not only do I have past experience of dealing with a life-threatening disease, but I also have a first-hand understanding of what a CLS does and a strong motivation to give back what was given to me. As I complete my bachelor’s degree in Psychology, I am exploring CLS programs that will best work for me. The CLS program at UCSB is one of my top choices, particularly because the classes are conveniently online and can be taken at my own pace. This program is also closely connected with the CLS organization, working side-by-side to help meet the needs of those who choose to commit to the program. I am excited to get started on my path to becoming a CLS and look forward to new and inspiring opportunities.

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