Federal safety officials have recalled the Fisher-Price Snuga Swings and revised their standard for nursing pillows, two moves intended to guard infants against unsafe sleep spaces.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Fisher-Price announced the Snuga Swings recall in October 2024. The swings aren’t designed for sleep. According to the CPSC, the deaths of five babies were reported from 2012-2022 when the swings were being used for sleep. Bedding such as blankets had been added to the swing in most of those fatalities.   

In September 2024, the CPSC issued a new safety standard for nursing pillows to prevent sleeping infants from suffocation, entrapment and falls. The commission knows of 154 infant deaths and 64 injuries from 2010-2022 associated with nursing pillows.

“Your child should be sleeping on a flat, non-inclined mattress,” said Sharon Evans, Cook Children’s Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator. “Any more than a 10% incline poses a suffocation risk to your baby.  They can get in the chin-to-chest position and have a difficult time breathing. Swings, bouncers, or propping them up in a pillow is unsafe for sleep.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported about 3,700 infants younger than one died due to sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) in 2022. The report indicates that 28 percent of those deaths were due to accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. 

Through early November, nine sleep-related deaths were recorded at Cook Children’s in 2024. In the past three years, Cook Children’s has seen several infant fatalities due to sleeping on a nursing pillow.

The safest way for babies to sleep is on their back, on a firm surface with a tight-fitted sheet, in a crib or bassinet, or pack ‘n play with no pillows, blankets, bumper pads, or toys. No other children or adults should share the sleep space.

Evans said caregivers should lay their babies down in a safe sleep environment – not the couch, swing, car seat, or an adult bed – when it’s time for sleep.

“There’s just as much risk to your baby when they are taking a nap as when they sleep overnight,” Evans said. “Every sleep time needs to follow safe sleep practices.”

The new CPSC safety standard for nursing pillows relates to labeling, firmness, seam strength, and restraints. It applies to pillows designed to position and support an infant while feeding. The rule is scheduled to take effect in April 2025.

“Nursing pillows are intended to be used for feeding when both the infant and the caregiver are awake, and the caregiver can ensure that the infant’s airways are not covered by the pillow,” according to the CPSC. Injuries occur when a sleeping infant rolls face down on the pillow or their neck falls forward or back, preventing their ability to breathe.

The new standard adds this statement to the label: “Move baby to an infant sleep product, like a crib or bassinet, if baby falls asleep or if you feel drowsy.” 

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The Texas Department of State Health Services has not reported an outbreak.  

Cook Children’s pediatricians Devona Martin, M.D., and Jenica Rose-Stine, D.O., say they have seen a surge in cases at their primary care clinic in Willow Park, Texas.  

“Over the past few months, we have noticed a big increase in the number of cases of salmonella,” Dr. Martin said. “This usually presents as diarrhea that has blood or mucus and fever. Each case is reported to the Health Department to try to track down a cause, but a common source has not been identified.”  

Since July, the Emergency Department at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth has also reported increased numbers of patients with salmonella.  

“In the ED, we usually see less than 20 patients per month with a diarrheal illness caused by salmonella,” said Stephanie Felton, D.O., associate medical director of the Cook Children’s Emergency Department. “In the month of July, we had 43 positive cases. We had 59 in August, 71 in September, and 74 in October.”  

Last week at Cook Children’s, 11 out of 229 patients tested for Salmonella were positive, resulting in a 5% positivity rate.  

Dr. Felton, Dr. Martin, and Dr. Rose-Stine provide answers to commonly asked questions about Salmonella.  

What is salmonella?  

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. It is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States.  

What is the difference between salmonella and E. coli?  

Although salmonella and E. coli cause similar illnesses, they are different kinds of bacteria. E. coli more commonly produces a toxin that can lead to kidney damage, a condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome. This isn’t seen as often with salmonella.  

What are the symptoms of a salmonella infection?  

Symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea with blood and/or mucus, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and fever. 

How do children contract salmonellosis?  

Salmonella infection can be contracted by consuming contaminated food products, including poultry, eggs, produce, infant formula, and water. It can also be spread through contact with infected animals, like reptiles and birds, or other people who are infected if strict hand hygiene isn’t followed.  

Is salmonella contagious?  

Yes, salmonella is contagious and can be spread by person-to-person contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. The incubation period usually is between eight and 72 hours following exposure. You may be asymptomatic during this time.  

Salmonella is not as contagious as the viral stomach bugs we often see.  

How can parents and caregivers prevent infection?  

We can prevent infection with proper hand washing, especially before eating and after touching animals. Make sure that your counter spaces and sinks are clear of any bottles, sippy cups, or dishware before washing any fruits or vegetables. Cook and prepare all poultry and meat products appropriately. 

Only use FDA-approved formulas for your infants. Thoroughly clean all bottles, pacifiers, and toys before handing them to your children.  

How are salmonella infections treated?  

Treatment primarily involves rehydration and rest. Infants less than three months old or children with moderate to severe illness may receive antibiotics. These infections usually clear on their own.  

What should parents do if they think their child has a salmonella infection?  

If you are worried about your child having salmonella, please contact your primary care physician. He or she can run stool studies to confirm the diagnosis.  

Unless your child has blood, mucus, or fever with their diarrheal illness, it’s likely a stomach virus and not salmonella. Keep your child at home and make sure they hydrate!  

If your child is acutely ill or if you are concerned about dehydration or prolonged fevers (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit for five days or greater) please bring your child to the Emergency Department for an evaluation.  

It's our season finale, and we're turning the questions over to YOU! In this special listener Q&A episode, hosts Wini King and Kristen Pyrc, M.D., tackle your most pressing questions about childhood mental health. From anxiety and stress management to navigating FOMO through the summer months, we'll be offering expert advice and practical tips to empower you to raise resilient and joyful kids.

This is your chance to get the insights you've been waiting for… and don’t worry, we will be back with a brand new season in August 2024.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

This episode of Raising Joy features a truly inspiring story of resilience, hope, and giving back. Kelli Stahl, a nurse at Cook Children's Pediatrics Henderson, shares her remarkable journey as a childhood cancer patient who found a second chance caring for others.

We'll hear about the incredible support Kelli received from her care team, and how she’s sharing her journey in a new book called, “My Fight My Story.” Kelli's story is a powerful testament to the healing power of joy, and how Cook Children's fosters that spirit in both patients and caregivers.

This episode is a celebration of the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and find purpose in giving back.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

In this episode, we explore the unique educational environment of Jane Justin School at Cook Children's Child Study Center.

Our guest, Tracie Mann, Ph.D., LBA, shares how Jane Justin School supports children aged 3-21 with developmental and learning disabilities.

We'll delve into the school's philosophy, which emphasizes individualized instruction, small class sizes, and a focus on mastering skills. If you're interested in learning more about how Jane Justin School empowers students with complex needs to achieve their full potential, this episode is for you!

Learn more about the Jane Justin School here: https://www.cookchildrens.org/services/child-study-center/jane-justin-school/

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

Warning: This episode includes conversation about youth self-harm and suicide.

Recent news of suicides among teens in North Texas has sent shockwaves through our community. Raising Joy hosts Kristen Pyrc, M.D., and Wini King take a moment to acknowledge the heartbreak being felt by so many and to share resources for healing.

Help is available. If you or someone you know is struggling, speak with someone today by calling 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org. Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.

Additional resources:

• Mental Health America of Greater Tarrant County: https://mhatc.org/loss-team/
• GriefShare: Find a Group - GriefShare
• Survivors of Suicide: Suicide Loss Support Groups | Alliance of Hope
• The WARM Place: https://www.thewarmplace.org/

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

In this episode of Raising Joy, we delve into the critical issue of physician burnout with Kirk Pinto, M.D., a pediatric urologist, and Sara Garza, M.D., a primary care physician. These leaders in physician well-being at Cook Children’s join us to shed light on this growing concern.

We'll explore the signs and symptoms of burnout, its impact on doctors, families, and patient care, and most importantly, strategies for prevention and management. Drs. Pinto and Garza will share practical self-care tips, the role of health care institutions in fostering well-being, and resources available to physicians struggling with burnout.

Whether you're a parent supporting a future doctor or a health care professional yourself, this episode offers valuable insights and hope for creating a more sustainable and fulfilling medical career.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

In this episode of Raising Joy, we delve into a topic close to many parents' hearts: the mental health of children with complex medical needs. Our expert guests are Carla Morton, Ph.D., and Marsha Gabriel, Ph.D., neuropsychologists from Cook Children's.

We'll explore:

• What is neuropsychology and how does it relate to children's health?
• Common complex medical conditions and associated mental health challenges.
• Warning signs parents should watch for in their children.
• Practical strategies parents can use to support their children's mental well-being at home.
• The range of emotions parents of children with complex medical needs may experience.
• Dr. Morton's personal experience as a parent of a child with special needs.
• Things parents might not realize about raising a child with complex medical needs.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

This episode of Raising Joy dives into the unseen but crucial work of building a strong and resilient community for children and families. Hosts Wini King and Dr. Kristen Pyrc welcome Breanna Anderson and Jammie Josephson, managers of the ACE's Team at the Center for Community Health at Cook Children's.

The conversation explores:

• Understanding ACES: They'll break down what Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) are and their impact on children's health.
• The ACE's Team in Action: Learn about the team's mission and the programs they offer to support parents and families.
• Building Hope: Breanna and Jammie will share a success story that highlights the positive impact of their work.
• The Power of Community Outreach: Discover why taking these resources directly into communities is essential for building resilience.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

This episode of Raising Joy saddles up for an inspiring conversation about mental health with Hallie Sheade, Ph.D., LPC-S, RPT-S, Executive Director of S.T.E.P.S. With Horses. Dr. Sheade, a licensed professional counselor who incorporates horses into her therapy sessions, will reveal the surprising power of these majestic creatures to help people and kids open up, learn, and heal in ways traditional talk therapy sometimes can't. Join us as we explore the unique benefits of equine-assisted services and discover how horses can become powerful partners on the path to mental well-being.

Learn more here: https://www.stepswithhorses.org/

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple and Spotify.

This episode of Raising Joy tackles a tough but crucial topic: child sex trafficking. Our guest, Stacey Henley, a child abuse expert from Cook Children's C.A.R.E. team, offers a powerful perspective. Stacey sheds light on the realities of child victimization, but also empowers parents with knowledge. 

Join us for this important conversation and learn how we can all work together to create a safer environment for our children.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

What kind of impact can a single pair of shoes have on a child’s life? According to Sam Sayed, a medical student at the TCU Burnett School of Medicine, the impact can be life-altering. At least this was the case for his own life. 

On this special episode of Raising Joy, Sam talks to us about his nonprofit, Dayna's Footprints, which he started with his brother Sharif Sayed. Their mission is, “To combat learning inequity by providing students shoes to wear proudly, subsequently increasing students’ self-esteem and enthusiasm for attending school.” 

Sam tells shares his story of growing up underprivileged in Arlington, Texas, and how a pair of shoes gifted by his sister Dayna changed the trajectory of the brothers’ lives. 

Watch their TedX talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/sam_sharif_sayed_a_day_in_their_shoes/transcript

ABC News Story: https://abcnews.go.com/US/texas-medical-student-back-community-free-shoes-nonprofit/story?id=105805418

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

World Down Syndrome Day is March 21, 2024. Join us for an uplifting conversation with Alexis Pechek and Ileana Hamilton, two parents whose lives have been enriched by their children with Down syndrome. They'll share their honest journeys - from navigating the initial diagnosis to the beautiful ways their families have grown. This episode is a beacon of hope for any parent facing a new Down syndrome diagnosis, reminding us of the profound joy these incredible children bring to the world.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Life with a furry friend brings countless moments of joy, but for children, the loss of a beloved pet can be an incredibly difficult experience. This Raising Joy episode tackles this sensitive topic with empathy and guidance, featuring Laura Sonefeld from Cook Children's Sit…Stay...PLAY! program. 

Join us as Laura, a certified child life specialist and Cook Children’s facility dog program coordinator, shares her expertise on how to help children navigate the emotions of pet loss. 

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

On this special episode of Raising Joy, hosts Wini King and Dr. Kristen Pyrc answer questions submitted by listeners. They cover everything from helping children deal with bullying, social media, balancing work and home, burn out and self-care. They also talk about what they have learned over the past two years of interviewing guests for Raising Joy. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

This episode of Raising Joy dives deep into drugs, alcohol, and substance use disorder among high school and college students. We're joined by Caroline Sahba, LPC-S, LCDC, MBA, Associate Director of the Counseling and Mental Health Center at TCU, who brings her expertise in substance use and recovery services to the table.

This episode is essential for parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone concerned about the well-being of young adults. Join us as we discuss:

• The current landscape of substance use among high school and college students.
• Warning signs and risk factors to watch out for.
• Effective communication strategies to talk to young people about drugs and alcohol.
• Resources and support available for those struggling with substance use.
• Practical tips for promoting healthy choices and preventing substance use disorder.

Caroline Sahba provides valuable insights and guidance, empowering you to navigate these challenging conversations and support the young adults in your life.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy. Want to find more resources on mental health issues from Cook Children’s? Click here.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

This Black History Month, Raising Joy tackles a crucial yet often overlooked topic: mental health within diverse communities. Join us as we welcome Lachelle Goodrich, MA, LPC, a powerhouse of experience and expertise. Lachelle, owner of iLegacy Consulting and Counseling, also spearheads the Choice Neighborhood Initiative for Fort Worth Housing Solutions.

We'll delve into the unique perspectives and challenges surrounding mental health in different cultures. Lachelle, with her wealth of knowledge and lived experience, will shed light on:

• How cultural beliefs and values shape perceptions of mental health.
• Barriers faced by diverse communities in accessing mental health support.
• Culturally-sensitive approaches to promoting mental well-being for ALL children and families.
• Practical tips and resources for fostering open conversations and supporting mental health within your community.

Don't miss this empowering and informative episode! It's time to acknowledge the diverse experiences surrounding mental health and build a more inclusive path towards joy and well-being for all.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Having a child in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be a traumatic experience. On this episode of Raising Joy, we’re joined by Helen Thomas, LCSW, PMH-C. Helen is a clinical therapist and licensed social worker specializing in perinatal mental health. She shares invaluable insights into the challenges NICU parents face, offering support and understanding for those navigating this unique journey. This episode emphasizes the importance of mental well-being for both parents and their newborns.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

On this special episode of Raising Joy, we welcome Cook Children’s cardiologist Kevin Wilkes, M.D. Join us as we delve into the intricate connection between congenital heart defects and mental health, as Dr. Wilkes sheds light on how conditions like anxiety, depression and ADHD intersect with heart health.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

In this heartwarming episode of Raising Joy, we meet Raymond Turner, the studio producer of Sparklefly Recording Studio in the Child Life Zone at Cook Children's. Raymond's story is one of resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of music.

Join us as Raymond shares his inspiring journey to Cook Children's, where he found his calling in creating music for some of the hospital's youngest patients. We'll delve into the deeply moving experience of crafting heartbeat songs memorializing terminal children for their families, a testament to Raymond's unwavering dedication to bringing joy and solace during the most challenging times.

Raymond's story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always room for hope, healing, and the power of human connection. His work at Cook Children's is a beacon of light, touching the lives of countless families and leaving a mark on their hearts forever.

Raymond also gave a TedX Talk in the spring of 2023. You can watch his talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFLwwUj7gHg

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

When we think of the holidays, most of us think of good food, family gatherings and beautiful holiday decorations. For many, it’s the happiest time of the year; but for others it’s a very different story.

The holiday season can be a difficult time for many, especially those grieving the death of a loved one.

On this episode of the Raising Joy podcast, we're joined by Hanna Boyd, CCLS, a child life specialist, and Jennifer Hayes, MDiv, BCC, Director of Spiritual Care at Cook Children’s. They share their insights on how parents can talk to children and navigate grief as a family during a time of the year that is supposed to be full of joy.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Football players and cheerleaders surprised patients in multiple departments at the Fort Worth Medical Center to spread some holiday cheer. Everyone was so excited to greet the team, especially after Thursday's win against the Seattle Seahawks!

Each child receives a stocking loaded with goodies from the Dallas Cowboys and a special toy provided by the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation.

Under the guidance of Mrs. Gene Jones, the entire Cowboys team has conducted annual holiday visits to local children’s hospitals for the past 34 years – a very special tradition that we are all grateful to experience.

Media partners may use this content for news stories and broadcasts with credit to Cook Children's.

Does your child experience frequent and intense tantrums? Is their irritability and anger impacting their daily life and relationships? This episode delves into the world of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), a condition characterized by persistent irritability and severe temper outbursts.

On this episode of Raising Joy, pediatric psychiatrist Rachel Talbot, M.D., of Cook Children’s sheds light on this misunderstood but common diagnosis. She helps us navigate the complexities of DMDD, differentiating it from other mood disorders like childhood bipolar, and identifying its unique symptoms at home and at school.

Whether you’re a parent seeking understanding and guidance, a teacher hoping to better support students with DMDD, or someone interested in learning about this complex condition, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and practical insights.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

In this episode, we chat with Laurie Williams George, a mother and doctoral student in educational psychology, about the challenges and rewards of parenting neurodiverse children. We delve into her research on autism and academic performance, as well as her son's heart-wrenching experience with bullying while playing video games online. We also discuss the importance of teaching kids how to behave online.

Laurie is also the creator of the online platform, Parent with Merit, which features articles and information about testing, diagnosis and the intervention process. The site also provides free resources regarding developmental disabilities, including organizations to reach out to and one-page information sheets available for download.

Relevant resources:

• Parent with Merit
• Child Study Center at Cook Children’s

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Setting boundaries with kids is an important part of parenting, but it can also be challenging. In this episode of the Raising Joy podcast, we speak with Rebecca Clark, a licensed professional counselor at Cook Children’s, about the importance of boundaries, how to set them in a loving and supportive way, and how to deal with common challenges.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, teachers, and healthcare workers who want to learn more about setting boundaries with kids.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

What’s the state of mental health for kids? What are psychiatrists seeing in their patients? Have we turned the corner on the mental health crisis post-COVID-19 pandemic? On this episode of Raising Joy, Wini King interviews co-host Kristen Pyrc, M.D., co-medical director of psychiatry at Cook Children’s. Dr. Pyrc shares what she’s seeing in her office and how things have changed in recent years.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Navigating next steps as a family after inpatient psychiatric care can be tricky. In this episode of Raising Joy, we talk to Helen Ramsbottom, RN, and Melody Hackfeld, RN, both case managers with Cook Children's psychiatric department, about how to manage a child's mental health care after they are released from an inpatient psychiatric unit. They also discuss resources and support groups for parents, such as Links of Hope.

In addition, we learn about the ASQ tool, which is used by nurses in the emergency department at Cook Children's to identify suicidal patients. The tool is comprised of questions that are asked to every patient, regardless of their reason for visiting the emergency department. Since 2017, 640 suicidal children have been identified and received the support they needed. You can learn more about the ASQ tool in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing and on Checkup Newsroom.

Listen to this episode of Raising Joy to learn more about:

• What to expect when your child is discharged from an inpatient psychiatric unit
• How to create a transition plan to help your child adjust to being home
• How to support your child's long-term mental health

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Managing emotions as a parent when your child receives a complex medical diagnosis can be incredibly challenging. In this episode of Raising Joy, we talk to Katie Senter, a member of the Family Advisory Council at Cook Children's. Katie's daughter, Louise, has a very rare medical condition called 1p36 deletion syndrome, which is a chromosome disorder that typically causes severe intellectual disability.

Katie shares her personal experiences of coping with Louise's diagnosis, and offers practical advice on how other parents can manage their own emotions during this difficult time. She also talks about the importance of finding support from other parents who are going through similar experiences.

If you're a parent who is struggling to cope with your child's complex medical diagnosis, this episode is for you. Katie's story is both inspiring and informative, and her advice can help you on your own journey.

Listen to this episode of Raising Joy to learn more about:

• Katie's experience of receiving Louise's diagnosis and how she coped with her emotions.
•  Practical advice on how to manage your own emotions as a parent of a child with a complex medical diagnosis.
• The importance of finding support from other parents who are going through similar experiences.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Having a child in the NICU can be a very stressful and emotional experience for parents. In this episode of Raising Joy, we talk to Landy Blackmore, whose daughter, Tillie, was born prematurely and spent time in Cook Children's NICU. Landy shares her personal story and offers practical advice on how to cope with the emotional rollercoaster that comes with having a child in the NICU.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, scared, or simply exhausted, Landy's insights and support can help you navigate this difficult time.

If you're a parent whose child is in the NICU, or if you know someone who is, be sure to listen to this episode of Raising Joy!

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Jessica Gomez, Psy.D., is the executive director of Momentous Institute, a nonprofit that offers mental health services and operates an elementary school. As a first-generation Mexican American, she knows firsthand the challenges of growing up in a culture that doesn't prioritize mental health.

In this episode of Raising Joy, Dr. Gomez shares her personal story and discusses how her experiences have shaped her work. She also talks about the importance of culturally sensitive approaches to mental health care and how we can break down the stigmas surrounding mental illness.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Getting back into a routine after a long summer break can be tough for kids of all ages. In this episode of Raising Joy, we talk to Cook Children's psychologist, Whitney Appleby, Ph.D., about all things school. Dr. Appleby shares her expert advice on how to help kids get a good night's sleep, create a healthy routine, manage anxiety, and avoid burnout. As a mom of three, she knows the struggle is real, but she also knows that with a little planning and effort, we can set our kids up for a successful school year.

If you're looking for some helpful advice on how to get your kids back into a school routine, be sure to listen to this episode of Raising Joy!

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy. For information about resources, view the crisis resource sheets below (available in English and Spanish). A PDF version is also linked under “Downloads.” 

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

We’ve all bought the desired backpack or lunch box, purchased the needed clothes and shoes, and reviewed class schedules and lists with a fine-toothed comb. As parents and caregivers, so much detail and organization goes into getting things ready for going back to school. 

Every one of my girls has a different priority - how many classes do they have with a friend, if they made it into the class they hoped for, if they got the teacher they wanted, and do they get to do the activity this year that they really want to do. 

All of our priorities collide and we forget the most important priority is who we are in the midst of all of these things. As we prepare our kids for returning to school, it can be easy to get caught up in the supplies, schedules and activities. However, preparing our kids for the character traits they will need throughout the year and their lives is also important. 

If I focus on just the year in front of me, I can get a little overwhelmed with the extras and forget that my kids’ integrity matters most. Their character, in terms of their kindness, gratitude, honesty, and making good choices, will carry them further than any other detail of the year.

Kindness

Kindness is not the easiest way all the time. It takes work and fortitude. Choosing kindness is intentional and as an adult, I need reminders and help to choose kindness when others are not. 

Our kids need even more help with this. They need ideas and help processing exactly what kindness looks like when they really don’t feel kind toward someone. 

Sharing with someone who never shares, helping the person that doesn’t help you, responding softly when others use their words to hurt – all of these things and more are hard but effective in the long game of life. 

This is not something that comes naturally. It is important to remind our kids that we don’t know everyone’s story or even all of their story.

We want to be people and raise people that leave a positive mark on others’ lives. So, while we aren’t wanting to kill anyone with kindness, we can be certain that kindness will overshadow meanness every time. 

Gratitude 

I have said, “Name 10 things you are thankful for!” about a million times in my parenting journey. The minute their world is falling apart and nothing is going their way, I am giving them a speech about everything that is good. 

I found years ago, though, that having my kids list the things that they are grateful for made a bigger difference than my lecture. 

Just like kindness, gratitude is also not always easy. Some days I can barely come up with three things for my list when the reality is that I truly have a thousand things a day to be grateful for. Again, our kids need help.  It has been researched and studied for decades, but what we know is true is that gratitude changes our perspective and ultimately the atmosphere around us. 

You put a bunch of ungrateful kids in a classroom together and you have a classroom full of complainers that cannot be happy. You add one grateful kid into the mix and they can change the group. Help your kiddos be the grateful kids. 

One way I often see parents help their kids practice this is through highs and lows at the end of the day or as one of my friends calls it “roses and thorns.” Have your kids name their top three good things and the top three hard things of each day. 

I also recommend having your kids say three things (or 10) they are grateful for on the way to school before the day starts. This helps set the tone for the day.

Honesty 

Honesty can come with some weight. If you don’t choose the honest way, then your words become meaningless to those around you. To be a person of your word comes with consequences, but it also builds you into a trustworthy person.

I find that honesty can be difficult for kids because they are more fearful of the consequences of their honesty than they are of lying.

This is often because they can’t see how lies pile up and that they will have to lie to keep their first lie intact. It’s our job as parents to help them make the hard choice to tell the truth even if there is a short-term consequence. 

Years ago, one of my precious daughters drew on her teacher’s couch and then lied about it saying she didn’t do it. While she wasn’t the only one, she was one of the artists. She had to write a note apologizing for not telling the truth, look her teacher in the eyes and tell her she lied and then I joined her for a lunch hour to try all the options for cleaning ballpoint pen off of a faux leather white couch. She still remembers this! 

Good choices 

As my kids head out of the car every day, I say, “Be kind. Make good choices.” I was reading another mom’s encouragement the other day: “You (and everyone you know) are just one decision from falling off a cliff.” It is the truth. One bad choice can change the course of a whole day, week, month, year or even someone’s life. 

My husband always says that he wants our kids to know how to think. Being able to stop and think through your next move and decision is incredibly important. This is also something all of our kids need help with. 

As parents and caregivers, we want to provide a safe space to think through decisions. We want our kids to learn how to stop and think before impulsively moving into a choice. 

If we can remind them and help them to be mindful, we can help them establish their moral compass that will last them a lifetime. Good choices account for yourself, for others, and for the future. 

As you blaze into this next school year, try to remember that your kids character matters the most in the long game. It doesn’t mean that we don’t focus on the schedules, activities and supplies, but we prioritize their character and the attention it needs and deserves. Also, don’t forget, we are all in this together! 

It’s a big milestone for parents of young children to turn their car seats to face forward. Some may wonder, when is the appropriate time to do so? Is it when the child wants to look out the window? Is it when the parent wants to see the child? This milestone should be delayed for as long as possible because safety is the top priority. Keep your child rear-facing to help prevent severe injuries during a crash.

“Keep them rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight and height of the car seat,” said Sharon Evans, trauma injury prevention coordinator at Cook Children’s. “Rear-facing is the safest way they’ll ever travel.”

Car crashes are a leading cause of injury and death in children ages 1 to 13. Every year children are rushed to the emergency room to be treated for car-related injuries.  

Check your car seat’s manual -- the most important piece of information will be determining the maximum weight and height limit of their rear-facing car seat. Most car seats will go to 40 pounds rear-facing so your child could be 3 or 4 years old before you turn them around.

Keeping your child rear-facing also protects their spinal cord in the event of a car crash. When they’re rear-facing during a crash, the impact will cause the car seat to dip, protecting their spine and neck.

“You’re keeping their head, neck and spine all in alignment,” Evans said. “The majority of the crash forces are taken on the back of the car seat and less of the crash forces are not transferred to the child.”

Parents may worry that their child’s feet are touching the vehicle seat when the car seat is rear-facing.

“You would think that there is a chance that they would be more prone to having a broken leg, but what we found through research and the American Academy of Pediatrics says that there is no increased risk,” Evans said.

If a child is facing forward during a crash, that is a lot of force to put on a child’s spine and neck.

“If you have that sudden stop, the pressure and force put on their neck can cause severe spinal cord injuries,” Evans said. “During that stop, their head and their arms are all going to come forward and that force can cause broken arms and legs.”

Check the harness straps are at or just below their shoulders and the retainer clip always needs to be at the armpit level, Evans said. Make sure the straps are snug with the pinch test.

After outgrowing a rear-facing car seat, children will move to a forward-facing car seat until at least age 5 based on the weight and height limit for the car seat.

The next seat is a booster seat, which is used until the seat belt fits properly, usually around ages 9 to 12, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

FREE CAR SEAT CHECKS

Parents and caregivers can bring their vehicle and car seat for a free car seat check with the Cook Children’s Center for Community Health at 682-885-2634 or go online to freecarseatcheck.org.

Certified technicians will inspect your car seat free of charge and show you how to correctly install and use it. Some locations now offer virtual inspections.Top of Form

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a directory of many inspection stations.

Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions (check height and weight limits) and read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or lower anchors and a tether, if available.

More information & resources:

• Car Seat Safety (for Parents) - Cook Children's (kidshealth.org)
• Register your car seat and sign up for recall notices to receive safety updates
• Car Seat and Booster Seat overview from the NHTSA
• Car seat recommendations from the NHTSA
• Child Passenger Safety | Injury Center | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• Child Passenger Safety | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org)

Grant Halliburton Foundation was established in 2006 in memory of Grant Halliburton, a Dallas teen who battled depression and bipolar disorder for several years before his suicide death at the age of 19. The Foundation that bears his name works to help families and young people recognize the signs of mental illness through a variety of avenues including mental health education, collaboration, encouragement, and information. 

On this episode of Raising Joy, we meet Sonya Parker Goode, CLC, CAMS-I, director of outreach and education with Grant Halliburton Foundation. She tells us how the organization has trained more than 300,000 students, teachers, parents, and professionals on how to recognize and respond to someone in major distress or suicidal crisis. Learn more about Grant Halliburton Foundation here.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Note: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.  If you believe that your child is having a mental or physical health emergency, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a free and confidential resource available 24/7. If you have questions about your child’s mental health, contact your child’s pediatrician. 

Sometimes a mother’s intuition can be the difference between life and death. That was true for 7-year-old Ismael Aguilera whose episodes of debilitating headaches turned out to be a life-threatening condition. Ismael’s mom, Karla, questioned the doctor every time she was told he had migraines.

“I knew it was not normal for him to be feeling like that every few weeks,” Karla said.

Ismael went through eight months of episodes including unsteady walking, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, slurred speech and blurry vision. A couple of trips to the local Emergency Department also left Karla and her husband Isack with more questions than answers. Last July, Ismael had another episode, but this time one side of his face drooped down and one side of his body tingled. They once again rushed Ismael to the Emergency Department and pushed for answers. 

Worsening Condition

Ismael’s condition worsened as his mental status rapidly declined and he experienced weakness on his left side. Doctors in their local Emergency Department contacted Cook Children’s and the Teddy Bear Transport team acted fast. Once in the Intensive Care Unit at Cook Children’s, the team intubated Ismael and quickly began testing which revealed he was in a dire situation. Karla remembers hearing the doctors tell her the severity and urgency of Ismael’s condition, but she was in shock and not able to process everything.

“Even though I couldn’t think through it all, I had this feeling that he was going to be fine, and he would leave the hospital walking,” Karla said. “My faith in God got me through.”

They told her that during these episodes he was having smaller strokes but this one was in a different area affecting the basilar artery which can be fatal if not treated immediately. The area included the brainstem which coordinates breathing and maintains alertness. Only an extremely skilled physician can treat this successfully. 

Right Place, Right Team, Right Time

Marcela Torres, M.D., Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology - Stroke and Thrombosis Program co-director, began treating Ismael with blood thinners to prevent more strokes. She had to strike a delicate balance with the medications – not enough could cause more strokes but too much could cause him to bleed into the vital area of his brain. 

“It is very possible he only had a matter of hours before we would not have been able to save him,” Dr. Torres said. “I remember watching the images of Ismael’s MRI in real time and texting Dr. Gerstle because I knew we needed him right away.”

Ronald Gerstle, M.D., pediatric interventional radiologist at Cook Children’s Medical Center, performed a thrombectomy which came with many risks but was the only chance at saving Ismael’s life. He very carefully removed the clot through a tiny catheter that went from Ismael’s leg to his brain.

“It takes an experienced stroke center with all the resources to perform these procedures in kids this young and in a timely manner so we can save their brains,” said Richard Roberts, M.D., pediatric neurosurgeon at Cook Children’s Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center.

After the procedure, the team anxiously waited for Ismael to show signs of progress.

“There was a chance Ismael wouldn’t wake up after the procedure,” said Rachelle Herring, M.D., one of Cook Children’s pediatric stroke neurologists who treated Ismael in the ICU. “We were all surprised and thankful to watch him slowly wake up and then talk, move and regain function.”

A Miracle in the Making

After five days, Ismael was extubated. Drs. Herring and Torres checked on him frequently to monitor his neurologic status and assess his level of recovery. Ismael continued to improve at a faster pace than anyone expected. He spent one month in rehab learning to walk and eat again – all while wearing a cervical collar since the doctors suspected his strokes were caused by bow hunter’s syndrome. With this condition, turning the neck compresses the artery and causes strokes.

Two months later, Dr. Gerstle performed an angiogram to confirm the diagnosis. Sure enough, every time he turned Ismael’s neck during the procedure, it began to compress the artery.

Road to Recovery

In January, Dr. Roberts performed a rare procedure fusing Ismael’s head and neck to prevent further strokes. Dr. Roberts placed screws in the cervical vertebrae and a head plate on the base of his skull – operating in an area that was one millimeter away from the artery running through Ismael’s neck.

Since then, Ismael has continued to recover well without any vascular events. In April, he was cleared to remove the cervical collar and continues to follow up with Dr. Roberts and Fernando Acosta Jr., M.D., Stroke and Thrombosis Program co-director.

“He now has an excellent prognosis with a low risk of more strokes,” Dr. Herring said. “His recovery has been miraculous considering where the major stroke was located. We are all so amazed.”

‘Thank God They Knew What to do’

“We needed to be at Cook Children’s all along,” Karla said. “Everyone from child life specialist Madi Mayfield who Ismael called his best friend to nurse Tyler Adair who went out of his way to make him happy with special handshakes and talking about his favorite things to the amazing doctors who got Ismael to where he is today. Thank God they knew what to do.”

Because of the fusion, Ismael will not be able to participate in impact sports or jump on trampolines or bounce houses. This could pose a significant risk of extension or hyperextension of the neck and potentially break the hardware or his bone putting Ismael at risk for strokes again.

But other than that, Karla says he is back to being a normal kid who loves animals, riding horses, playing outside and watching the Steelers play football.

“Ismael has such a caring heart,” Karla said. “I really think God put him on this journey to help others. He has a purpose here.”

To spot the signs of stroke, remember the acronym BE FAST:

Balance - Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?

Eyes - Is there blurred or lost vision?

Face - Is one side of the face drooping or numb?

Arm - Is there weakness, numbness or loss of movement in the arms, legs or one side of the body?

Speech - Is speech slurred?

Time - If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

The most important thing to know is that strokes happen in children. If something is different or off about your child, seek emergency care.

Antonio Igbokidi, a third-year medical student at Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University, joins the Raising Joy podcast to discuss his Barbershop Talk Therapy mental health initiative. Igbokidi started Barbershop Talk Therapy in 2021 as a way to create a safe space for men of color to talk about mental health. He never dreamed his program would take off – with more than 100 people now attending sessions across Fort Worth. On this episode of Raising Joy, we learn how Igbokidi’s idea came to fruition and what he plans next.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Kids everywhere are counting down the days until they can take their first leap into the water for summer swim season, which has parents on the hunt for the perfect swimsuit. But before you purchase those cute swim trunks or that adorable suit for your little swimmer, it’s important to look beyond the latest fashion trends and consider safety, too.

Yes, a swimsuit’s color can be a safety hazard or help, according to water safety experts.

“The color of a swimsuit helps with visually keeping an eye on the child and being able to watch and make sure that they're obviously still moving and swimming in the water. Typically, we recommend bright colors,” said Kathryn Lammers, a professional swim instructor, owner of The Swim Lesson People and chair of Safe Kids North Texas - Fort Worth.

A video demonstrating the visibility of swimsuit colors in the water recently made a viral splash on social media and sparked a number of media stories. For good reason, experts say. A child’s swimsuit color is one of the many layers of protection parents and caregivers can use to help prevent drowning.

Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most drownings in children 1 to 4 happen in swimming pools, so it's important to be able to spot your child quickly. Cook Children’s has treated 10 drownings so far this year, one of which was fatal. 

Adult Water Watcher

Other layers of protection include teaching your child to swim, wearing Coast Guard-approved life jackets when in and around water, installing physical barriers and alarms to pools, ensuring your pool drain is fitted with a safety cover, learning CPR and, most importantly, closely watching your child when they are in and near water.

“It really goes back to that active supervision, no matter how many layers we put in place,” Lammers said. “We can teach swim lessons all day long, do CPR and have protective barriers. But those layers are there to help us if we have a lapse in supervision because, being a mom, we know that we're tasked with so many different things, and as much as we try to be vigilant and hypervigilant little things happen, but that active supervision is the most important.”

Water Watchers are adults designated to watch children who are in or around water at all times. They should have no distractions, this means no phone, magazines, books, eating, or conversing with friends.

Choosing a Swimsuit Color

Choose swimsuit colors that do not blend into the body of water in which your child will be swimming, be it a pool, lake or ocean. Consider the color of the bottom of the body of water. Is it light or dark? Think about how the swimsuit may appear or disappear both floating on top of the water or under the water when there is agitation, like splashing. Light colors, like white or light blue, tend to blend into the swimming pool, making the child harder to see.

Bottom line? Bright, contrasting, neon colors are the most visible in most bodies of water, according to tests performed by aquatic safety experts from Alive Solutions. Neon yellow, green and orange are the winners in pools with dark bottoms and in lakes. Neon pink, yellow and orange win out in light-bottomed pools.

“They just stand out better,” said Jillian Mitchell, child safety program coordinator for the Center for Community Health, led by Cook Children’s. “If they're wearing blue or green or even like a muted purple, those kinds of colors, they kind of blend in and are harder to see. So it might make a difference as far as noticing a child at the bottom of the pool for too long, or they're not playing anymore and may be in trouble.”

The same goes for life jackets, especially in the lake. It’s much easier for a boater to spot a swimmer or fallen skier who is wearing a neon orange or yellow life jacket than it is for them to see a black life jacket in murky water.

Mitchell says parents should consider a few other swim season fashion factors, too. For young children whose swim skills are still developing, choose suits without frilly and dangly design features that could become entangled in a pool toy or an old pool drain that does not meet current safety standards. Pull long hair back with a hair tie or braid to keep their faces clear while in the water.

“Think about your environment and what that entails,” Mitchell said. “If you're going to the beach, especially later in the season, the sand is hot so you want to protect your child's feet with well-fitted water shoes that are safe for that age. I'm not going to say no one should wear flip flops, but understand where your child is developmentally and what's going to prevent them from tripping and falling.”

Other tips for splashing safely:

• Before you let your child loose in the water, have them practice wearing anything they plan to wear while swimming, like water shoes and life jackets, so they get used to the fit, feel and function of the item in the water.
• If your little one wears a long-sleeve swimsuit or cover up, don’t forget to put sunscreen on their hands.
• Be cautious about allowing kids to swim in attire other than swimwear because of the drag regular clothing can cause in the water. For example, denim shorts and a cotton t-shirt are heavier than a swimsuit and will weigh a child down, making it more difficult for them to swim.
• Don’t choose one layer of safety over another. They are meant to all work together.

“Do not depend on one piece or one layer of protection,” Lammers said. “Know that these are all best practices. So even though we're promoting multiple layers, the layers work together and it's not just relying on one piece over another. If you go to the pool or the lake, don’t just rely on the life jacket or on swim lessons or on having a water watcher, but use everything in combination with each other. That is the overall best practice.”

At Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, it’s not uncommon for 30 children and teens to be evaluated for mental and behavioral health concerns in the emergency department in a single day. On this episode of Raising Joy, Family Intake Therapist Brittany Smith, MSW, LCSW, tells us about her role in the ER, and how she helps patients and families during these visits. 

If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. If you would like to learn more about scheduling an appointment with Cook Children's Behavioral Health, please call our Intake Department at 682-885-3917. Cook Children's Behavioral Health also offers resources and educational articles available to assist families, which you can find here.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

When Melarie Odelusi’s daughter was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in 2020, she didn’t know what the future held in store for her family. One thing she did know – it was going to be critical for her to take care of herself. While doctors focused on her child, Melarie and her husband made every effort to ensure they were mentally strong through the storm. Today, Melarie is a member of Cook Children’s Family Advisory Council and uses her experience and perspective to help improve the hospital for all patients and families.

On this episode of Raising Joy, Melarie teaches us all she has learned on her journey of self-care, from meditation to breathing techniques, the importance of sunlight – and even some surprising things you may have not heard of. She’s also an artist and uses her creativity as an outlet for stress and anxiety. Learn more about her art (which has been shared by Macy’s, Philosophy and Michelle Obama) here.

For more information about self-care for parents, Cook Children’s has a guide of resources listed here.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Long before he became a health care executive, Rick W. Merrill was a West Texas boy with a guitar and a love for music. Today, he’s the president and CEO of one of the largest pediatric health care systems in the U.S., but music still holds a special place in his heart.

On this extraordinary episode of Raising Joy, Mr. Merrill opens up about his love for songwriting, parenting children through challenges, and leading an organization with empathy and compassion. He also shares a song he wrote, which was inspired by Cook Children’s Joy Campaign titled, “Hope is Just a Breath Away.”

This is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Cook Children’s has treated nine drownings so far this year, one of which was fatal. As the weather warms up, parents and caregivers should take time to review how to keep their young children safe around water.

With the recent news of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player’s 2-year-old daughter drowning in their swimming pool, we are reminded of how quickly water can turn into a tragic accident. It only takes a minute for a child to drown, and most of the time it is silent.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1 and 4 years old. Even if a child survives a drowning, it's possible to have lasting neurological effects. Cook Children’s leads a campaign called Lifeguard Your Child for parents and caregivers to learn how to protect children in all kinds of water.

Drownings can occur even with many adults present. One key tip is to designate a “water watcher” – a responsible adult who agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.

Sharon Evans, trauma injury prevention coordinator at Cook Children’s, said it is vital for parents and homeowners to realize they must be on guard at all times if they have a pool.

“All of the barriers along with swimming lessons can prevent drownings,” Sharon said. “Not only having these barriers in place but ensuring the alarms work and are on and the gates remain closed is important as well.”

Drownings can happen silently and quickly. A submerged person might not attract attention or appear to be in danger. Younger children most often drown in swimming pools by falling in while unsupervised. Parents can put barriers in place to help prevent a child from accessing the water or make it more difficult to access when an adult is not present.

Top Pool Barriers
The more barriers in place, the safer the child will be.

• Four-sided isolation fences with self-latching gates
• Alarms (pool, door, gate)
• Automatic pool covers
• Doorknob covers and high locks on doors leading to the outdoors
• Reroute dog/pet doors that have direct access to the pool area

Lifeguard Your Child

Cook Children’s initiated a drowning prevention campaign called Lifeguard Your Child in 2015 in response to a high number of drowning injuries treated in the Emergency Department and medical center that year. The Lifeguard Your Child campaign is spread through the Safe Kids North Texas Coalition, which is based in Fort Worth and led by Cook Children’s.

The campaign’s strategies include Cook Children’s Loaner Life Jacket Stations at many lake entry points across the region. Families can go to the stations to find U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets in a variety of sizes with easy tips for a proper fit.

Safety tips for home swimming pools: 
• Restrict access by installing door locks high out of children’s reach. Door and window alarms can signal if someone leaves the house. 
• Install four-sided fencing around pools with a self-latching gate that only opens out. The fence should be at least 4 feet (preferably 5 feet) high. 
• Remove all toys and floats from the pool area so children are not tempted to get close to the water. 
• For above-ground pools, make sure the ladder is removed and not accessible when it’s not swimming time. 
• Consider a pool surface alarm to alert if anyone/anything falls into the water. 

Safety tips for the bathtub: 
• An adult must stay at the side of the tub in reach of the child. 
• Pay attention. This is not the time for multitasking. 
• Ignore distractions like the doorbell or phone calls. 
• Drain the tub after each use. 
For more information about drowning prevention, go to www.lifeguardyourchild.org.

On this episode of Raising Joy, we meet M. Scott Perry, M.D., head of Neurosciences at the Jane and John Justin Institute for Mind Health at Cook Children’s Health Care System. At the Institute for Mind Health, Dr. Perry is bringing together nine specialties that commonly overlap in the treatment of nervous system disorders. He talks to us about how this unique approach will make care easier for patients and their families.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Brothers Isaac Martinez, 7, and Jaden Alvarado, 13, are recovering at Cook Children's Medical Center after they were playing outside their home Wednesday afternoon when the tree above them was struck by lightning.

The lightning ricocheted and struck Jaden and Isaac, causing them to lose consciousness and collapse.

“It looked like fireworks were coming down the tree,” their mother Jessica Martinez Alvarado said. “I saw the boys lying on the ground when the fireworks stopped. ... I thought I had lost my boys. It's the worst feeling ever. I would never wish that on anyone.”

Isaac and Jaden were immediately rushed to Cook Children’s Medical Center Emergency Department. Doctors say that Jaden was primarily impacted by the lightning and likely suffered a cardiac arrest. The lighting ricocheted from Jaden to Isaac.

By Thursday morning, the boys were transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, with their mother and family at their side as they rested and played video games.

Jessica said they were still processing what happened to them. The boys said they don't remember what had happened and they were feeling OK.

It wasn't raining when the boys were struck, Jessica said. She noticed the lightning was getting more intense and was about to tell the boys to go inside when the lightning struck the boys moments later.

“They're always outside playing. They love to play football or any kind of sports," she said. “Their favorite thing to do is play with their dog.”

Her advice to other parents: “Don't let their kids outside when it's thundering. I know it's a one-in-a-million chance, but you never know, you might be that one. It was two for me. Be very, very careful with your babies. Make sure you hug them and kiss them and hold them tight."

Taylor Louden, M.D., Medical Director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Cook Children’s Medical Center, said that parents should be cautious and keep their children indoors when there is a severe weather threat or thunder and lightning.

“The boys came in altered and confused," Louden said. "These boys are very lucky. We're glad everyone came out OK in this instance."

If someone is fatally struck by lightning, cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death. Dr. Louden said it is crucial for a lightning strike victim to receive CPR as soon as possible or use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Witnesses should call 911 immediately.

“Fortunately, lightning strikes are very rare, but we do have to be aware [of storms], especially in Texas where storms can come out of nowhere quickly," Dr. Louden said. "Even if storms are in the distance, you're still at risk.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are less than one in a million and almost 90% of all lightning strike victims survive.

Being a pediatrician, Dr. Bianka Soria-Olmos knows how to identify the signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in her patients. When her own son was diagnosed, she learned the very personal challenges that come along with being a parent of a child with ASD. On this episode of Raising Joy, we talk to Dr. Soria-Olmos about how the diagnosis and how it has impacted her work as a doctor and as a mom.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

On Jan. 23, 2023, JamieLynn and AmieLynn made history as the first conjoined twins to be surgically separated at Cook Children’s. The girls were conjoined at the chest and shared a liver. Their 11-hour surgery involving a team of 25 medical professionals, including six surgeons, made headlines around the world. The girls were being cared for at Cook Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) since birth. Last week, AmieLynn was discharged and both girls are living with their family in Fort Worth.

Their parents, James and Amanda, attended the meeting Tuesday, all smiles as they held Jamie and Amie in their arms.

The proclamations read:

Proclamation - JamieLynn and AmieLynn Finley Day

Whereas, when parents James Finley and Amanda Arciniega of Saginaw found out they were expecting twins, they were surprised; then a short time later that surprise turned into worry when they learned their babies were conjoined; and

Whereas, while Mother-to-Be, Amanda, enjoyed an easy and uncomplicated pregnancy, there were many hours spent meeting with specialists from across the state to determine who was best to deliver the Finley Twins and the best hospital to care for them after birth; both of which ended up being right up the road and

Whereas, on October 3, 2022, at 34 weeks gestation JamieLynn and AmieLynn were delivered via C-section at Texas Health Fort Worth. After a monthlong stay at the Texas Health NICU, the girls were transferred to Cook Children’s Medical Center NICU; and 

Whereas, after months of planning and collaboration, which included building the medical team, troubleshooting potential issues and rehearsing the carefully choreographed surgical production; the medical team determined when the girls reached 4 months old, it was right time to separate them; and

Whereas, on January 23, 2023, after an 11-hour surgery, with a team of 25 medical professionals, including 6 surgeons, Cook Children’s Medical Center successfully performed its first-ever separation surgery on 16-week-old conjoined twins, JamieLynn and AmieLynn.

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that we, the Commissioners Court of Tarrant County, do hereby proclaim January 23, 2023, as JamieLynn and AmieLynn Finley Day in honor of their successful separation surgery. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and caused the Seal of Tarrant County to be affixed this 18th day of April 2023.

Congratulatory Resolution - Cook Children's Medical Center

Whereas, located in the heart of Fort Worth’s Medical District, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital and Cook Children’s Medical Center share a long history of collaboration; and 

Whereas, both organizations have a close working relationship bonded through the common goal of putting family first while providing advanced medical treatments with heartfelt compassion to families in need throughout Tarrant County and across the State of Texas; and 

Whereas, the nationally recognized neonatologists, pediatricians, specialists, researchers, and clinicians of Cook Children’s Medical Center’s NICU are specially trained in the complexities of critically ill newborns and babies born prematurely; and 

Whereas, the Doctors, Nurses & Staff inside of Cook Children’s Medical Center & the Level IV NICU tirelessly work around the clock, every single day of the year to provide critical care for the most difficult and complex medical diagnosis, including the tiniest, micro preemies born as early as 23 weeks and weighing as little as one pound; and 

Whereas, on Monday, 23rd of January, a remarkable team of 25 medical professionals and 6 surgeons performed a groundbreaking 11-hour surgery to separate conjoined twin sisters, AmieLynn Rose Finley and JamieLynn Rae Finley of Fort Worth, Texas. 

Whereas, the incredible team assembled by Cook Children’s Medical Center and their collective expertise in treating the most difficult, rare and complex pediatric conditions, made this challenging procedure successful and the Finley family whole again; and 

Whereas, the citizens of Tarrant County recognize the critical need for the Neonatology Team at Cook’s Children’s Medical Center who are committed to the care and well-being of North Texas families; and 

Now therefore, be it resolved, that we, the Commissioners Court of Tarrant County, do hereby honor and congratulate the teams of nursing & medical professionals at Cook Children’s Medical Center and the NICU on their continued efforts in our community. In witness whereof, we have hereunder set our hands and caused the Seal of Tarrant County to be affixed this 18th day of April, 2023.

On Tuesday, Cook Children’s Health Care System celebrated the grand opening of a new space dedicated to the siblings of children with medically complex needs. It’s called the Panda Cares® Center of Hope Sibling Support Center and is located inside the newly expanded Dodson Specialty Clinics building at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth.

The Panda Cares Center of Hope Sibling Support Center offers the siblings of Dodson Specialty Clinic patients a place to play, create and connect with other children whose families face similar challenges while their brother or sister attends clinic appointments. It also relieves the stress of parents and caregivers so they can concentrate on their child’s medical appointments knowing their other children have a safe and supportive space dedicated to their well-being, too.

The complex medical needs of a child with a chronic condition or life-changing injury can strain the mental and emotional health of the whole family, including brothers and sisters, according to Audra Trussell, coordinator of the Panda Cares Center of Hope Sibling Support Center.

“We are really focused on the sibling’s emotional and psychosocial care,” Trussell said. “A lot of times, they don’t need as much attention as their chronically ill brother or sister so they may feel a little left out and dragged around from appointment to appointment. At this center, we’re able to focus on those kids, give them the care they deserve as well, help them process their feelings and what they are experiencing, and make them feel like a member of the Cook Children’s family, too.”

The center is staffed by Trussell, who has a background in child development, and Judith Siharath, Panda Cares Center of Hope Sibling Support Center assistant, who has experience in psychology and child development. Cook Children’s volunteers will also be on hand to assist.

Everything for the Child

The Panda Cares Center of Hope Sibling Support Center is a therapeutic activity center full of everything for the child, from developmentally appropriate toys and sensory play items to arts and craft supplies. Each day Trussell and Siharath will offer child visitors a guided activity that sparks their imagination, creativity and conversation.

“Every day we'll have a different activity to do that will open up a new discussion for our sibling guests because, given their family’s situation, they might not get that opportunity outside of here, and we want to make sure they feel like they are the center of attention,” Siharath explained. “For example, we have an activity where kids can make a rainbow with colors based upon their feelings. We would ask them questions like, ‘What colors represent you?’ and ‘Which color represents your inside and outside feelings?’”

The questions are meant to help kids connect with other children who also have a sibling with a medical condition and may be experiencing similar emotions related to their brother or sister’s health.

“When we're all sitting around the table and these open-ended questions are being asked to help draw the child out and give them an opportunity to speak up, they'll get to hear other siblings say some things that they may not have felt like they could say out loud, and feelings that they’ve had regarding their sibling that is a patient,” Trussell said. “So that peer-to-peer support is an important piece that we want to emphasize here, too.”

Connecting the Dots for the Whole Family

Together with other Cook Children’s sibling support programs, The Panda Cares Center of Hope Sibling Support Center connects the dots of family-centered care at the health system. It’s an extension, Trussell says, of the work Child Life Services does to care for the mental and emotional health of the whole family through offerings like the Cook Children’s Sib2Sib Program™. Through weekend workshops, camps and family events, Sib2Sib gives patient siblings the opportunity to express themselves and their feelings, receive undivided adult attention, learn coping skills and connect with peers living in similar circumstances.

Sometimes a child will express fear or misunderstanding about their sibling’s health, treatment, or injury while visiting the Panda Cares Center of Hope Sibling Support Center or any of Cook Children’s sibling support programs. For example, if a child has experienced a pet being “put to sleep” they sometimes correlate that term with death, and may think their brother or sister is going to die because they are having a procedure where they will be put to sleep.

“When we hear those things we’ll be able to share that with their parents and connect all of them with a Child Life specialist that can help explain what the procedure is, what's really going to happen medically, and what all the terminology means in good, child-appropriate language that they understand,” Trussell said.

Together, all of these programs and services connect the dots of family-centered care at Cook Children’s.

The Panda Cares Center of Hope Sibling Support Center at Cook Children’s is made possible through the support of Panda Cares®, the philanthropic arm of the Asian dining concept Panda Express®, and its partnership with Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), of which Cook Children's is a member. Following a multimillion-dollar commitment to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to fund Panda Cares Centers of Hope, Panda and CMN Hospitals have debuted Center of Hope locations at several hospitals in the U.S. from California and Texas to Hawaii and Washington D.C.

The Panda Cares Center of Hope Sibling Support Center at Cook Children’s is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to siblings, ages 3 to 11, of patients who have a clinic appointment. Children may attend the center for 90 minutes per visit. It is free to families. Reservations are not required but parents will be asked to complete a registration and consent form. 

Lynda Clayton is a North Texas high school student who recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award for her project aimed at reducing the stigma around mental health.

On this episode of Raising Joy, Clayton tells us about “Not One More: A Mission to Eliminate Youth Suicide. To learn more about this program, and how to implement it in your school, please visit the Not One More website. 

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

When your child is struggling with their mental health, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Nationwide, waitlists for appointments with child psychologists and psychiatrists can be months long. As a result, pediatricians have become the first line of defense for families who need support.

Alice Phillips, M.D., wears many hats at Cook Children’s. She’s the Board Chair of Cook Children’s Physician Network and Medical Director of Ambulatory Quality. Dr. Phillips is also a pediatrician at Cook Children’s Pediatrics Cityview, and has seen mental health concerns in her practice increase dramatically over the past 26 years. On this episode of Raising Joy, Dr. Phillips talks to us about the role of pediatricians in the mental health crisis and the growing number of tools in their toolbox to help children.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Betzavel Segura’s trip to the Down syndrome clinic at Cook Children’s gave the 4-year-old girl the chance to show her skills and her challenges to a variety of specialists.   

She named the colors she knows. She jumped around. And in a game for speech therapy, she practiced making animal sounds.

“For her, it was playing. But for the medical providers it was watching to see what she would do,” said mom Erika Quijas, who calls her daughter Betzi for short.

Betzi has a love for dolls, a knack for puzzles, and a happy attitude most of the time. But she struggles with pronunciation, and she gets frustrated when others don’t understand what she’s saying. And she’s picky about the texture of certain foods. Her parents wanted some professional guidance. 

In a span of four hours at the clinic, Betzi was examined by a pediatric geneticist and met with experts from multiple fields related to her Down syndrome diagnosis. She had fun at the appointment -- and her parents came away with practical advice and information to take back to Betzi’s primary care doctor and teachers in Mineral Wells. 

Every year, about 5,000 babies in the United States are born with Down syndrome, a disorder caused by an extra chromosome. Cells dividing in the embryo have three copies of chromosome number 21 instead of the usual two. The condition can lead to heart defects, hearing loss, eye disease, thyroid problems and other medical concerns. Feeding, development and learning can be affected. 

World Down Syndrome Day connects today’s date (March 21) to the three copies of the 21^st chromosome in a symbolic way to help raise awareness. It’s an occasion for Cook Children’s to spotlight our clinic as a tool that educates, addresses concerns and gives encouragement to families.

First, the full name … Nannie Hogan Boyd Down Syndrome Clinic and Resource Center, affiliated with the Cook Children’s Genetics Clinic. Cook Children’s Rehabilitation Services, Child Study Center, the Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas and the Nannie Hogan Boyd Trust support the program. The clinic has served an estimated 500 children and teens since it opened.   

“The design was to provide a more comprehensive program for families with children with Down syndrome so they could get all their evaluations in one place,” said pediatric geneticist Mary Kukolich, M.D., who started the clinic in 1998 and continues to lead the team.

Dr. Kukolich said participants across a wide region of Texas are attracted by the convenience of seeing multiple specialties in one stop. Enrollment is limited to four or five patients at a time. Each receives a personalized itinerary.

Clinic Overview

What’s offered? Dr. Kukolich does an exam and genetics consultation to check the patient’s growth, heartbeat, muscle tone, thyroid function and more. Blood tests and X-rays might be ordered.

Available as a bonus: speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, audiology, nutrition and psychology. The patient’s caretakers choose which specialties they want to go to for screenings or consultations.

When? Every other month. Most slots for the 2023 clinics are already filled, but more dates might be added depending on the level of interest.

Who can sign up? Anyone with Down syndrome from ages 3-18 is welcome. If the child is not already established as a Cook Children’s Genetics patient, a pediatrician’s referral is needed. Clinic organizers recommend a visit every three years.  

Where is it located? 750 8^th Ave., Suite 200 in Fort Worth

What’s the cost? The genetics consultation and audiology visits are billed to insurance; no charge for the rest. 

Clinic coordinator Audrey Hicks, LMSW creates an individualized schedule for each participant.

“I call the patients a month before their appointment and I talk to the parent about how the child is doing. We discuss their development and health, and then we decide which specialists they need to see,” Hicks said.  

“A lot of these kids already have therapies maybe in school or maybe private,” she said. “The clinic gives them an opportunity to have people with fresh eyes who can take another look and give them a new perspective. At the end of the day, each family gets a full report of the findings and suggestions from each of the specialists.” 

Therapists might recommend an extracurricular activity, a new behavioral technique to try, or a resource the family wasn’t aware of. Parents are urged to ask questions and express their concerns on topics such as puberty or options after high school.   

“Families with kids with disabilities can feel very isolated, and this is just another way to help support them, to make them know that we care about them, that we are trying to help the whole picture,” Hicks said.

Betzi’s Experience

When she was 7 months old, Betzi had surgery at Cook Children’s to repair two holes in her heart. She travels to Fort Worth for routine check-ups for cardiology and pulmonology care, as well as eye and ear exams.    

Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) provided speech therapy and physical therapy until Betzi turned 3. Now that she’s 4, her speech and occupational therapy happen at school in Mineral Wells. Her dad, Armando Segura, follows up at home with extra speech practice in fun ways that Betzi enjoys. Armando and Erika were eager to seek out additional input from the Down Syndrome clinic at Cook Children’s. 

Here are highlights from their visit in November 2022:

• The physical therapist watched Betzi jump and checked her hips and muscle tone. The therapist recommended shoe inserts to support her weak ankles.
• The speech therapist advised Betzi’s parents to exaggerate the pronunciation of words while Betzi watched their mouths. Erika asked if talking at home in both English and Spanish was making speech harder for Betzi. (Answer: No.)
• The nutritionist suggested chopping fruits and veggies into smaller bites – or mashing them into smoothies – to work around Betzi’s issue with food textures.
• The psychologist discussed strategies to keep Betzi from flinging her plate when she wants attention at dinner. 

Betzi stayed in a good mood for the entire four-hour session thanks to the juice and snacks her mom packed. The kindness of the clinic staff played a role too in keeping Betzi comfortable and entertained. “They were just really nice and patient,” Erika said.

Erika especially appreciated the tips that the specialists shared and the summary report at the end. She encourages other parents to utilize the clinic. And Erika wants everyone to know that like all people with Down syndrome, Betzi is much more than her diagnosis.

“She plays, she cries, she gets mad just like any other kid does. There’s no reason to treat her differently.”

Schedule an appointment at the Down syndrome clinic by calling 682-885-3951.

Do you ever wonder if your teenager’s behavior is normal? On this episode of Raising Joy, Sam McCage, Ph.D., a licensed professional counselor at Cook Children’s, answers all of our questions about teens. From moodiness to social media, vaping and therapy – we’re doing a deep dive into teen behavior and what parents can do to make these difficult years a little easier.

Raising Joy is part of Cook Children’s Health Care System’s Joy Campaign, a communications initiative aimed at preventing youth suicides. For more information about the Joy Campaign, visit cookchildrens.org/joy.

New episodes of the Raising Joy podcast will be available each Tuesday. It is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts.