Child Life

When 5-year-old Cormac started talking about his extreme thirst, parents Brad and Catherine were concerned. With a family history of diabetes, a simple urine test turned into a finger prick…and then a full blood draw. It was Type 1 diabetes.

Cormac’s fear of needles was so problematic that he had to be sedated when he arrived at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon for treatment.

On his first day of hospitalization, a child life specialist spent 30 minutes with him. Cormac adorably says, “She saved my life,” of the child life specialist who helped him understand his disease and how he needed to use needles to stay healthy.

A few days after he got home, Cormac received a card in the mail from his caregivers at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. He held it for a long time before saying, “I miss them.” His experience could have been terrifying and traumatic, yet our Child Life team ensured it was one of love, hope and healing.

Now Cormac is a healthy, energetic 6-year-old who gets shots of insulin several times a day with no fear of needles…a bravery he credits to the child life specialist at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.