Isai’s Heart Transplant Journey: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Coping

Meet Isai, a 9-year-old boy whose life took an unexpected turn when he was admitted to the hospital awaiting a heart transplant. During this time, Isai was connected to a Berlin Heart, an external device that did the job of his heart until he had his transplant. For seven months, Isai's journey became intertwined with the dedication of a multi-disciplinary team determined to infuse creativity into his complex medical journey. Isai’s days were filled with procedures, therapies, and creative bedside activities to normalize his hospital experience. Due to Isai being confined to the four walls of his room for a prolonged period in the pediatric intensive care unit, art therapy, music therapy, animal assisted therapy, drama therapy and child life became a vital role in his coping throughout his hospitalization.

Isai hosts his very own LIVE KidZone TV show for other patients and families in the hospital

While Isai’s medical needs had many layers during the seven months, child life specialists highlighted his good days by offering therapeutic bedside activities such as making slime, medical play, playing board games, science projects and making his own “mailbox” for staff to write letters to him. To normalize Isai’s environment in the pediatric intensive care unit, Abby Patch, Certified Child Life Specialist, provided an opportunity for Isai to personalize his room using a nonprofit organization called “Dec My Room. “Without hesitation, Isai chose a “Hot Wheels” theme for both the décor of his room and personalization of his door with paint markers. Isai used every opportunity to leave his room when feeling well enough including attending Zone groups, hosting two KidZone TV shows, and watching a movie in the Lion’s Den. These moments offered a unique healing opportunity for Isai in a medical setting.

Visits from facility dog, Moby, were a highlight of Isai’s day. Throughout his admission, these sessions varied depending on what goals Isai was working towards and how he was feeling. Kaleigh Bieling, Certified Child Life Specialist, worked with Moby to provide co-treatment sessions alongside physical therapy to motivate Isai to walk in the hallway and strengthen his motor skills. Moby was also included in co-treatment sessions with art therapy and music therapy. Some of Isai’s favorite sessions with Moby were moments of resting and snuggling in bed.

Beyond child life, art therapy and music therapy offered a safe space for emotional expression and relaxation when Isai found it challenging to connect to his environment. Child life specialists and creative arts therapists found many opportunities to collaborate throughout Isai’s admission to foster emotional well -being and improve his coping skills. From hosting his own KZTV shows, walking in the halls with Moby to playing video games in the Zone, Isai’s story inspired many throughout his journey from the pediatric intensive care unit to home.