Wonders & Worries

Description

When a family member is diagnosed with a serious illness, life becomes focused on the treatment schedules and needs of the patient. The cognitive, emotional and social needs of the children or siblings of the patient are often overlooked. Without clear communication at age-appropriate levels, misperceptions and unresolved emotions can cause feelings of isolation, anxiety and inappropriate behavior. For the entire family, health family functioning and development can deteriorate - and can result in choices that can negatively affect a child and his or her family for a lifetime. W&W helps children youth and families by 1) providing an age-appropriate understanding of the illness, its treatment and side effects; 2) facilitating expression of feelings related to the changes in the family due to illness; and 3) identifying individual coping skills to help ease feelings of sadness, anger, etc.

All W&W services are offered free of charge to people of any age, gender, socio-economic status, and ethnicity, and are available in English and Spanish.