Subscribe today for more stories, tips, and updates.

Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • ?
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • ?
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Patient Family Experience/How ‘Patiently Made’ Has Brought Us Closer Together

How ‘Patiently Made’ Has Brought Us Closer Together

How ‘Patiently Made’ Has Brought Us Closer Together
May 2, 2015
0 Comments
By: Angie Pavelka

This is my and my daughter’s second year participating in Patiently Made, and we love it.

Patiently Made started last year as a way to have patients, staff and members of the Patient and Family Advisory Council create artwork for the recently renovated east wing of the College Hill Campus. It quickly turned into so much more than that.

It became a therapeutic group of sorts, where parents, kids and their caregivers create artwork together to sell with the ultimate goal of generating awareness for and breaking down the stigma of mental health.

For those of you unfamiliar with the College Hill Campus at Cincinnati Children’s, it’s a place where children and teens that face mental health issues go to get the help they need. It’s played an important role in two of my kids’ lives, because they have struggled with these very things.

My daughter, Kelsie and I truly enjoy being involved with Patiently Made because it has brought us closer together. Kelsie is a teenager so even if she isn’t in the mood to be with “mom”, she always has fun and enjoys the camaraderie of the other kids and parents working together and focusing on a common goal. With supportive staff and the fun photo workshop outings, being a part of Patiently Made has helped her tap into her creative side and build her self-confidence.

Last year as we were making jewelry, she didn’t think anyone would buy the necklaces and bracelets she made. She loved them and thought they were pretty but didn’t believe anybody else would appreciate them. I remember an item she made from yellow and black beads. She thought it would never sell because of the color combination. But we assured her that a Pittsburgh Steelers fan would love it. And a Steelers fan did love it! Being active in Patiently Made has bolstered Kelsie’s self-esteem and she is realizing she has abilities and skills she never knew she had.

An unexpected benefit of working with Patiently Made is that my daughter is learning some basics of the business world, too. She is learning that an interest or a hobby can be shared with others as a business. She is also picking up marketing skills by producing products and packaging them for sale.

My daughter has strong opinions about what was successful for her during her stay in the psychiatric unit at College Hill and knows what would have made her time there even better. So it makes her feel good to know that she is helping to positively impact and improve the lives of kids who are struggling with similar things as she did.

Being part of Patiently Made has also taught my daughter to see the bigger picture. She notices other people and things that can be done to help and support them. Patiently Made has shown her that there are ways to make a difference and volunteering is a wonderful way to put others first.

Not only has Patiently Made brought my daughter and I closer, it has given the rest of the family a reason to rally around Kelsie. Her siblings, and uncles, and grandparents get excited about the yearly art exhibit. They support her and are very proud of her involvement in Patiently Made.

Please plan to join us on May 8 from 6-9 pm to view our artwork and support children and teens who are making a difference for those struggling with mental health issues. It is at the Sharonville Fine Arts Center at 11165 Reading Road in Cincinnati.

Subscribe today for more stories, tips, and updates.

Related Articles

Book Roundup: Books Featuring Kids with Mental Health Challenges 
Book Roundup: Books Featuring Kids with Mental Health Challenges 
Why Play Is Important in Therapy
Why Play Is Important in Therapy
How to Support Your Child with Mental Health Struggles
How to Support Your Child with Mental Health Struggles
Seasonal Affective Disorder in Kids: Tips for Parents
Seasonal Affective Disorder in Kids: Tips for Parents
TAGS:
  • college hill campus
  • mental health
  • psychiatry

About the author: Angie Pavelka

Angie Pavelka is a hard working mother of four children and a member of the Psychiatric Parent and Patient Advisory Board. She has two kids who struggle with mental health issues. Watching their determination and bravery as they maneuver life has been an inspiration for her. She’s excited to see how this adventure of life plays out for them, and feels none of it would be possible without Cincinnati Children’s psychiatric units.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • How We Do It
  • Learning and Growing
  • Meet The Team
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Patient Stories
  • Pin of the Week
  • Radiology
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What Makes Us Different
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Never miss a post! Sign up to get new blog updates delivered to your email.

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 2k views
  • Caring for the Caregivers of Children with Congenital Heart Disease  1.1k views
  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 0.9k views
  • Would You Pass This Pesticide Safety Quiz? 631 views
  • 4 Questions to Ask When Your Child Has Recurrent Croup 628 views
  • Laryngomalacia: Is My Child’s Noisy Breathing Serious? 552 views
About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2022 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center