Helping Families Find Strength

Mason, with child life specialist Janice Ferguson, participates in a program that delivers play, preparation, music therapy, and more. Michael Lemberger

When Brittany ’08 and Tyler Tomjanovich entered the emergency department at the UW’s American Family Children’s Hospital, the feeling of terror eclipsed everything else. Mason, their five-month-old son, had a seizure while Brittany was holding him. UW Health clinicians moved quickly as a gentle presence stepped forward: a child life specialist, offering a meal and a reminder for the young parents: you must care for yourselves so you can stay strong for him.

Now seven years old, Mason endured six surgeries, 20 emergency visits, more than 100 appointments, and innumerable blood draws. Diagnosed with a complex chromosomal disorder, Mason has faced more medical challenges than many adults do in a lifetime. He was also diagnosed with a primary immune regulatory disorder, affecting his body’s ability to fight infections. Yet through every frightening procedure and unexpected setback, the Child Life program was there.

For Mason, that often begins with something as simple as a toy truck or a familiar, friendly face. “Because of Child Life, Mason isn’t afraid,” Brittany says. “He looks forward to going to the hospital. He asks, ‘Will the person with the toys be there?’ ” With a child life specialist by his side, Mason approached a blood draw with newfound courage. Through age-appropriate explanations, play-based preparation, and distraction, Mason’s child life specialist helped turn a moment of fear into one of triumph.

Child Life’s support extends beyond the patient. Mason’s sister, Hailey, who has witnessed far too many ambulances visits, has also found comfort through the program. With play, conversation, and compassion, child life specialists helped her understand her brother’s medical journey.

“[The program] really helps with Hailey, too,” Brittany explains. “They made her feel like she was part of the bigger picture.”

Funded solely by philanthropy, Child Life delivers play, preparation, music therapy, facility dog interventions, appearance-boosting resources, special events, and more. In 2024, one music therapist, 17 child life specialists, and three child life assistants provided 25,540 moments of comfort, 1,890 music therapy sessions, and 1,395 animal-assisted interventions from Canine Health and Medical Pals facility dogs.

These services help families stay grounded through the unimaginable, ensuring that children have the support they need — not just to cope, but to find moments of joy, healing, and hope.

Published in the Fall 2026 issue