Child Life feature: CCLS Megan Traylor
Once again March is Child Life month and the anniversary of 40 years of the Child Life program at Geisinger. Today we feature one of the team’s newest members, Megan Traylor, who was hired in February of this year as a full time Certified Child Life Specialist in Orthopedics clinics.
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
College: Towson University
Family: “I grew up with a big family that I am still very close with.”
Favorite food: Ice cream
Favorite superhero: Spiderman
Favorite book: Any Jodi Picoult book
Favorite movie: Legally Blonde
Favorite game: Phase 10 or any other card game
Favorite TV show: Bravo’s Below Deck
When you aren’t working, how do you like to spend your time?
“I love art, game nights, shopping, and trying new things.”
Special talent or stupid human trick you possess?
“I can say the A,B,C’s backwards (and I can say it faster than Myah).”
What made you want to be involved with the Child Life Department?
“I have never heard the words “fun or play” associated with the hospital before I found out about child life. I think child life and the services offered are a great resource to transform the way people think about children’s hospitals.”
What is your favorite part of what you do?
“I love when a child successfully copes through a procedure they were anxious for and have that ‘I did it!’ moment.”
Tell me a unique story that was touching for you personally while performing your job?
“One day in clinic I brought a patient a dinosaur truck and stickers that I knew he loved from his previous visit in the clinic. His last visit he had a painful procedure and I felt there was not a lot I could do to support him. This visit he was having his splint removed and the doctors were going to examine his arm. After taking off the splint, the patient did not want to move his arm at all. He kept it protected at his side. The patient’s mom, doctor and I all tried getting him to move his arm so we could see if it healed correctly. After no luck, I tried placing stickers on the arm the patient did not injure. This caused the patient to use his previously splinted arm to pull the stickers off and put them on his artwork. The mom was so happy we were able to check to see if his arm healed correctly on the patient’s own terms, through his play. The mom was very appreciative for my help and I was happy we did not upset the patient this visit. It is a great day when a patient has a positive experience in the clinics and leaves smiling and happy.”
How have donations to Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger helped you to perform your job?
“We keep our supply closets stocked with stuffed animals, birthday gifts, playdoh, and other fun items that make the clinic visit exciting and not so scary for children. The toys we use in the clinics also normalize the environment for children and provide distraction during their visit.”
