A Diagnosis Isn't Everything: A Place Where Kids Can Be Kids

“It’s a place where we don’t have to ask a child what their diagnosis is or how long they’re going to be here. All we need is their name and room number, and then we get to invite them in and let them enjoy just being a kid.” These are the words of Krista Jenkins, Patient Activity Specialist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s The Zone activity area. One of our heartbeats here at helloHOPE is that a diagnosis doesn’t have to define your child or your family. We loved having the opportunity to chat with Krista Jenkins about how she uses this same philosophy in her work at The Zone. Enjoy a glimpse into our conversation.

helloHOPE: One of our core values at helloHOPE is that a diagnosis isn't everything. It's so easy to become defined by a diagnosis when appointments, hospital stays, medications, interventions, and more permeate your life. Talk about the importance of allowing kids the time/space to be kids, especially when they are walking through a season when their medical needs are at the forefront.

Krista Jenkins: I think it’s so important to make space for kids to be kids! In the Zone we try to find a balance of validating the natural stresses of hospitalization while also creating an outlet for things that take our patients and families out of the hospital environment. We have people tell us all the time how great it is to have a place in the hospital like the Zone to feel free, whether through playing video games, doing a craft, or sitting outside by the koi pond. If the hospital is a place our kiddos need to be, we want to make it the best possible experience for them.

helloHOPE: What are some practical ways that parents can implement the above for their children in their day to day life?

Krista Jenkins: I think throughout the pandemic people have become so much more creative with their time and resources, and we’ve found there are so many fun ways to encourage childlikeness! In the Zone we’ve enjoyed coming up with fun crafts from random materials laying around, like tissue paper flowers from leftover Christmas stuff, or slime with glue, baking soda, and shaving cream (it’s messy, but it’s fun!). Crafting is an easy way to encourage kids because they get to experience the joy of creativity while accomplishing something with their hands.

helloHOPE: Are there specific activities or resources that are accessible to kids of varying abilities?

Krista Jenkins: We have lots of kids who visit us with varying abilities and passions, and we try to accommodate as much as possible. For friends with sensory processing sensitivities, we typically have at least one sensory kit activity, which includes things like cotton balls, fidget cubes, and model magic. We also have an awesome sensory machine with a light up bubble tube and weighted fiber optics that we use for preschool and toddler sensory playtime! Everything here is wheelchair accessible and we often have therapists come down and utilize our space for different means of therapy like video games to practice fine motor movements or building strength to stand up up while painting.

helloHOPE: Tell us about the Zone and what brought you to your role there!

Krista Jenkins: The Zone is a completely donor-funded activity and event space. Patients and families come to step away from the hospital environment and reconnect with their sense of fun. We are open six days a week and provide virtual events, activities to-go, arts and crafts, board games, video games, outdoor basketball, putt-putt, and a koi pond. My title in the Zone is a patient activity specialist, which basically means I help plan and facilitate fun things for our wonderful patients and families! I started working at Children’s with a temporary position in a different department. One day I visited the Zone during Prom — yes, we throw a prom for our past and present patients! — and I told myself that one way or another I had to work here. A few months later when my temporary position was ending, a job opened up with the Zone, and the rest is history! It’s the best job in the world to be able to play with new friends every day.

helloHOPE: What makes you excited to come to work each day?

Krista Jenkins: One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to listen to people’s stories. We have people coming in and out of our space who carry a variety of struggles and victories, and being a small part of their lives is an honor. But it’s also just such a fun job! I keep a running list of hilarious quotes from my coworkers because some of the things we say leave us asking how we get to work in this incredible environment! One favorite quote is, “Can you help me clean up the sensory toys so we can bring in the mini horse?” I truly can’t believe I get to do this as my job, and I love being able to make an impact one fun activity at a time.

Thank you, Krista, for taking the time to share about your work at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta’s The Zone!

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