“There are a lot of happy times. Most of my days here are spent playing, laughing and helping families to create lasting connections and special memories” says Olivia Lourenco, Recreation Therapist at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice.
Following years of education and experience focused on supporting children and adults with complex needs, Olivia came to RNCH three years ago first as a Recreation Therapy Assistant and then Recreation Therapist. A naturally compassionate and empathetic person, Olivia says that she came to RNCH wanting to provide the best possible quality of life for the children and youth visiting and staying there.
Asked to describe a typical day at RNCH, Olivia shares that every day is unique in a good way. “The plan for each day has to be flexible and accommodating to the needs of each child and how they are feeling. Their interests shape the day which can look very different depending on the children we have onsite. When a child wakes up wanting superhero day, the morning can quickly transform into the best day ever!”
Explaining that different age groups request different activities, Olivia recalls teen movie nights with ice cream and visiting friends and graduation parties for kids who are now adults in their twenties. On another memorable and meaningful day, staff hosted an onsite cookout so that an extended family could gather and spend time with their baby, outside of a hospital setting. “We want to normalize things for families, create a homelike environment, and support children by providing a space where they feel comfortable opening up and being themselves.”
Listing baking as a top activity, Olivia says that the process is not just about creating delicious treats. “They are getting to feel flour, touch chocolate chips and explore their senses in a different way. It also allows them to create something to share with others. Kids love to go door-to-door delivering treats, open an ice cream shop, or hold a bake sale.”
A trip with Olivia to the downstairs kitchen introduces 13-year-old Raphaël who is hosting his own cooking show for a group of enthusiastic staff. His chosen creations, maple and brown sugar bacon with pancakes, are served to anyone lucky enough to wander through. Delegating tasks and offering taste tests, Raphaël shares that he loves being able to cook again in a kitchen that accommodates his wheelchair. It is easy to see how the fun continues to flow at RNCH, when Raphaël joins the tour and turns it into a spontaneous costume party.
A sunlit playroom reveals a wall of craft supplies, cozy vignettes and tables. Pointing out a whimsical costume wardrobe and stunning olive tree, Olivia says that many items and pieces of art at RNCH are there in honour or memory of a child. “We play a lot of games in this playroom and try to adapt them so that everyone can get involved. The top priorities are always fun, and for everyone to feel welcomed and accepted for exactly who they are as people.”
“Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice provides a place where children can have autonomy and advocate for themselves. They can direct their own care and focus on the quality of their life.”
Through a set of nearby doors, Olivia leads the way to an outdoor patio equipped for circle time, activities, and the beloved music played by a regular volunteer. A raised veggie garden outside gives kids the opportunity to be part of the garden-to-table experience.
“Kids can make their own lunch from what we grow. The garden has a pizza-theme right now due to a boy who loves pizza. Almost everything in it will soon be used as fresh toppings in the kitchen.”
The patio also plays a valuable role in RNCH’s highly anticipated summer day camp. Says Olivia, “This program provides a space for kids with complex medical needs to 2 come and experience a typical day at summer camp. The camps bring recreation-based play, visiting balloon artists, face painting, tie dye and dress up. We create theme weeks, play games and go on excursions. During quiet time kids can stretch out, watch a movie, enjoy some sensory lights and can catch their breath.”
When asked for reasons why places like Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice are so important for children, Olivia supplies a lengthy list.
“The incredible team here can offer a controlled environment, where nurses provide the medication and care, so that parents can just be parents. A lot of the time, a medical setting is focused on curing an illness but in palliative care the focus is on the whole person. In my role that means providing chances for kids to explore who they are, discover new things and find their passions. Sometimes something very small can be incredibly meaningful to these children. They have taught me so much about the importance of appreciating all the little things in life.”
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