Why I Refer - A Social Worker's Perspective
Carol John, LMSW is a medical social worker at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. She works with many of our children and families to support them through some of their most difficult times. She's also often at the first stop of the wish experience, referring children for a wish and helping start on a new journey. Read on to hear more about her background and why she chooses to help make wishes come true.
Q: Could you provide some background on how or why you decided to get into social work?
A: I decided to pursue a master's degree in Social Work after taking a Sociology course as an elective during my undergraduate years. The final exam was to conduct research on an organization in NYC that was helping those in need - I chose Hale House in Harlem. I was given the opportunity to meet Mother Hale and interview her and had a tour of her house where I felt honored to meet some of the babies/children she was caring for. I was fascinated by the humanitarian care in which mother Hale provided to the babies who were born addicted to drugs or HIV. They were treated like family. After submitting my final exam to my Sociology professor, I informed her of my interest in Social Work and it was highly recommended that I visit several schools of Social Work to inquire on MSW programs. I took my professor’s advice and visited Howard university school of SW in Washington D.C where I met with the Dean of SW. After an explanation of the program’s mission, which was to help students become leaders in the struggle for social justice; I decided to apply to the MSW program. Howard University not only trained me to provide social work in diverse communities but also provided me with the necessary tools needed to empower an individual or a family unit. This I learned through direct field practice.
Q: What do you find to be the most rewarding part about your job?
A: I find it rewarding to be able to advocate on behalf of patients and families who may not have available resources, and to provide those resources to ensure that basic needs are met (food, shelter, and clothing). I feel gratified when I can present a book or a toy that was donated to the hospital to a pediatric patient and see the excitement in their faces, or a newborn who is diagnosed with a critical medical condition, to help the parent/s or caregivers cope by being supportive especially when they are faced with challenges such as frequent hospitalizations, financial setbacks or loss of job.
Q: How did you find out about Make-A-Wish?
A: Although I was familiar with the “Make-A-Wish Foundation,” it was not until I started working in September of 2014 as a Medical Social Worker at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital that I began referring patients. The previous Social Worker and hematologists have been referring patients and families to Make-A-Wish prior to my employment.
Q: How have you used wishes as part of your patients’ treatment plan?
A: Wish referral is an important part of our treatment plan as it helps foster strength and hope to critically ill patients who might have frequent hospitalizations resulting in school absences and isolation from friends. This can lead to feelings of sadness and at times, depression.
Q: Make-A-Wish conducted a survey and found that 90% of wish parents and children said their family experienced traumatic stress in fighting a critical illness. From your perspective as a social worker who works with these families – do you feel that this is true?
A: Wishes help boost a child and family’s quality of life. I have many examples of the differences I have seen in children and their families whose wishes were granted.
In particular, I can recall one specific family whose child was referred to have their wish granted. The family was faced with homelessness, feelings of guilt after the death of a younger sibling and ongoing medical issues for the wish kid. The family reported back to me on how this changed their lives tremendously. I was told by the parent that being away on a trip with the family was therapeutic and helped with the healing process. It created an environment that strengthened the family bond and decreased their anger and feelings of guilt. It also allowed the family to be introduced to other families and be “pampered” (as per mom’s description.) The medical well-being of the wish child also improved. I observed a decrease in hospitalizations and increase in clinic follow ups for the children who have wishes granted.
Q: In the same survey 9 out of 10 medical professionals said that a wish helped relieve a family from that traumatic stress – have you seen this at all in your experience?
A: I certainly agree – in retrospect, traumatic stress is experienced by many wish children and families. From a Social Worker's perspective, I observe additional stressors children and families face such as learning to cope and understanding the illness or the limitations placed upon the child or family. An example of this could be a school-age child who might not be able to participate in certain sports as it may trigger a pain crisis.
Q: How do you feel to know that you’re a part of the wish process and making wishes come true? Does it impact your own wellbeing and how you do/see your job?
A: I have received all positive feedback from children and their families who were granted wishes. The previous example I mentioned – their wish helped with the healing process.
I feel honored to be working in a healthcare setting and environment where I am given the opportunity to refer children who are diagnosed with critical conditions to Make-A-Wish to have their dreams come true. This gives me the strength and drive to continue along this path, it reflects on why I initially chose to become a social worker.
Q: Why do you stay involved? Why do you think wishes are important?
A: When a child’s wish is granted, the whole family is affected in a positive way. It helps a parent who may not be able to provide a child with something they child always dreamt of, it helps lessen stress, increase family bonding and improves the quality of life of the entire family.