| Shadow Buddies |
One of the most difficult things about being a child with a chronic condition is the isolation of being different. The loss of ability to function as a normal child - to run and play and skip and roughhouse - robs these children of normal lives and true friends. Family most certainly helps, but it's friends that share the fears and frustrations and confidences. Friends just like them.  Shadow BuddiesTM have been designed to be both "The friend like me" and a teaching tool. Working with medical professionals, Shadow BuddiesTM have been designed as warm, huggable Buddies for boys and girls that take the place of friends who cannot be around when needed most. Shadow BuddiesTM are also condition specific, demonstrating anatomically the physical results of treating a particular condition. Shadow Buddies TM may be used as a psychological bridge to span the gap between treatment and awareness. When seen first on their "Buddy", a scar, catheter or even a stoma has far less impact. A teaching tool as well, Shadow Buddies TM are useful as a means of demonstrating basic care. Shadow Buddies TM help children, their siblings and family cope with their condition. This in turn makes it easier for health professionals to provide appropriate, successful treatment. |