Leah Walker, Founding President of Frogs for Life, and Julie Edwards, Certified Child Life Specialist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, discussed Frogs For Life, a charity founded by Leah and her family in honor of her late son, Tommy.  Tommy had been treated at Nemours’ Cardiac Center where the family discovered the Child Life programming,  Julie discussed the services, free to patients and their families, bringing art and music, toys and therapy pets, counseling and other supports to families during their treatment.  After Tommy passed Leah and her family continued to support the special needs for the patients and families of the Cardia Care Center.

She and husband Luke began with a grass-roots effort soliciting help from family and friends, today it is a registered charity, named for their son’s favorite toy, that provides anything from toys and clothing, to gear for the patients and families being treated at Nemours.  Julie explains the value of Child Life programming, it’s more than entertainment and diversion for young patients, it helps with rehabilitation and communication between patient and caregiver.  Leah described her experiences with Child Life that continues today with her older daughter Schuyler who also has the heart condition. She and her little sister Sadie are already helping with Frogs for Life.

For more information about Child Life programming visit Nemours.org 

To learn more or to donate to the cause go to frogsforlifecharity.org