Little James was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was only 5 years old.
He had just started primary school and was really getting the hang of being a school kid.
Unfortunately for James, who also lives with down syndrome, a diagnosis of leukaemia meant his first year of school was heavily disrupted as he underwent testing and treatment protocols.
Spending so much time in the hospital can be lonely for kids, not to mention scary.
This is where Camp Quality comes in, ensuring that there are plenty of laughs to be had via their lively, cheeky, and always funny puppets.
“James adores the puppets, they all have personalities, and he’s come to know them all,” says James’ mum Kristen.
“The puppets not only provide some entertainment but also help put James and the other kids at ease when it’s time for a procedure. The puppets’ presence also means I can take a breather and pop downstairs for a coffee knowing James is safe and occupied.”
In addition to the Camp Quality Puppets, Family Getaways, Camps and Fun Days that Camp Quality offers to patients and their families at Monash Children’s Hospital, the children’s cancer charity have also donated more than $1 million over the past 10 years to provide a Child Life Therapist in the Children’s Cancer Centre.
The Child Life Therapist works alongside a child’s medical team to provide complementary therapies that can reduce pain, minimise distress and anxiety associated with treatment and hospitalisation.
These therapies are often done via age-appropriate developmental play and self-expression activities.
James is almost 18 months into his treatment at Monash Children’s Hospital and is responding incredibly well. He is now back at school most days, and for the most part, is a happy, cheeky little lad.
James and one of the Camp Quality puppets
