Bring healing art to kids in medical crisis

In October 2017, Susan Sherwood (Child Life Specialist on Doernbecher 10 South and long-time partner) pulled me aside and asked if CHAP would be interested in a one-time art event on campus. We immediately said yes, as we are always looking for new ways to reach children and families facing medical challenges. Dr. Blair Murphy was coordinating a Mask Art and Pizza Party on a Saturday afternoon for pediatric radiation oncology patients and was looking for a partner. Susan recognized this as a job for CHAP!

Three weeks later, CHAP was ready to work with Dr. Murphy and the OHSU radiation team. The two-hour event was hosted by Faye, assisted by long-time CHAP volunteer Jeannie. Young patients and their families gathered in the Radiation Medicine Department on the 4th Floor of Kohler Pavilion. This was a part of campus that CHAP had never traveled to before!

The mask we are talking about is called a simulation mask and is used in radiation therapy targeting the brain. Since the head and neck need to be positioned very precisely, a contoured mask is created. It is essentially a mesh replica of the patient's face. To make the mask, the radiation therapist places a warm, wet sheet of plastic mesh over the patient's face while he or she is lying on the simulation table. The therapist then shapes it to fit around the patient's head. The patient is able to see and hear while the mask is on. The treatment often takes two (2) hours and the need for stillness is paramount. The patient is lying down on a table for this treatment. The mask gets fastened to the tabletop to hold the head and neck in place.

The children had all finished their radiation treatment and were doing well medically. This was an opportunity to transform those symbols of stillness and patience into lively creations through the magic of art. The radiation team came up with a great way to ease into the project: They made simulation masks for Mr. Potato Head! The staff had the wisdom to anticipate that some of the kids might have unexpected feelings about decorating their own mask. Mr. Potato Head was ready to serve as a buffer. The children were also given an option to decorate the walls of Exam Room 9, where kids are taken to wake-up from anesthesia after treatment if needed.  

A large conference table was covered with a tablecloth and converted into a temporary art work space. A few Mr. Potato Heads were sprinkled around the table, in between paint, markers and large 3-dimensional mesh masks.  One of the young boys and his mom decorated his mask with a Batman symbol on the chest.  A little girl glued feathers and pom poms to hers. A brave dad allowed himself to be placed on the table and a simulation mask was made for him, his daughter holding his hand the whole time.   

Dr. Murphy was very pleased with how the day went.  It is our hope that she will be calling CHAP again when she plans the next Mask Art and Pizza Party.  This sounds like a tradition worth starting!

Thanks to donations from so many, we are able to take on new experiences like this one – and extend the healing power of art farther. Thank you for your support.

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