The Family Perspective on Wishes
The impact of a child’s critical illness extends beyond the individual; it affects the entire family. Behind the joyful wishes of children are often deeper, unspoken desires from parents and siblings seeking comfort and healing.
When a child is sick, the family experiences their own set of wishes – wishes that are often filled with longing and heartache. “I wish I could take my child’s pain away,” a parent might express. “I wish for my sibling to return to a life of normalcy.” These heartfelt wishes often go unvoiced but remain at the forefront of family dynamics.
Dr. Hema Patel, a pediatrician with extensive experience in caring for complex cases, emphasizes that a wish is crucial not only for the child but also for their family. Many parents endure a version of PTSD, while siblings often feel the weight of their loved one’s illness in silence.
Take Catherine, a wish mom from Calgary, who shared how her daughter Penn’s wish to meet Cinderella not only brought joy to Penn but also served as a lasting memory for the entire family. After a brave battle with a brain tumor, Penn’s wish trip became a beacon of light during a dark time.
Dr. Heather Hodgson-Viden is a pediatric palliative care physician at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatchewan who takes care of children with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses. She reminds us that wishes provide families with beautiful memories, even amid loss. They offer comfort and healing, uniting families through shared experiences of joy.
