Art workshops help children cope with parent's breast cancer treatment
But there is an outlet for these children to express their emotions. A series of art therapy workshops begin this month specifically for children whose mothers or fathers have gone through or are currently being treated for breast cancer.
(Media-Newswire.com) - HOUSTON -- ( October 9, 2009 ) -- When a child learns a parent must undergo treatment for breast cancer, his or her life often becomes a whirl of unspoken fears and confusion.
But there is an outlet for these children to express their emotions. A series of art therapy workshops begin this month specifically for children whose mothers or fathers have gone through or are currently being treated for breast cancer.
Emotional struggle "When a parent has breast cancer, it causes a big change in a child's life," said Dr. Michelle Schmidt, assistant professor of internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. "It is so hard for young children to deal with a situation of this magnitude – their developmental skills are not mature enough. If they are struggling with their emotions, they may not come right out and say it."
Schmidt said children need a way to express themselves on a level that they understand.
That's why Schmidt and a group of fellow cancer survivors decided to create a series of special art therapy workshops for children ages 5 to 16 whose parents have been affected by breast cancer.
Filling the void Called Pink Alive, Kids!, the workshops are sponsored by the Pink Ribbons Project. The Pink Ribbons Project was founded by a group of dancers who were individually touched by breast cancer -- this includes the children of parents who have been diagnosed, said Susan Rafte, executive director of the Pink Ribbon's Project.
The organization supports breast cancer awareness and education programs and provides proper screening for the medically underserved.
"Having been a mom of a young daughter while going through treatment for breast cancer, I know first hand how the stress of what is happening can affect the entire family," said Rafte. "Pink Alive, Kids! will help to fill a void for families who are in the midst of treatment or beyond treatment by providing a safe outlet for kids to express and share their fears, concerns and anger about how breast cancer has affected their lives."
Beginning Oct. 24, the workshops will be held once a month for the next four months. Activities will include yoga, dance, creative writing, drumming and photography.
Getting in touch with feelings With the help of the Center for Creative Resources, a a non-profit organization providing low cost psychotherapy and counseling to individuals, couples and families, each session will be led by experienced facilitators. The children will be divided into age-appropriate groups.
"We want to give these children the opportunity to beat on a drum, do a funny dance move or paint a picture that somehow ties back to the emotions they are feeling," said Schmidt.
Schmidt said the workshops can also generate a support network for the children and their parents.
"These children need to know there are other kids out there whose parents have lost their hair," said Schmidt. "Or who are so sick they can barely get off the couch."
Parents are welcome to stay. Schmidt said the support from other families may help guide parents on how to talk to their children about what they are going through.
The workshops will be held on the following Saturdays Oct. 24, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, and Jan. 9, 2010 from 2- 3:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Houston, 5300 Main St., 77004.
The workshops are free. For registration, contact Kate Bizzell at Kate@pinkribbons.org or call 713-524-7465.
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