»ELVES AND THE ELEFANT«
The Event »Elves and the Elefant«, which belongs to our Patient-Empowerment-Program, will be held on a weekend. This Event is specially dedicated to children with rare diseases and their families.
Children with a rare illness suffer much more since they are more dependent than adults and their relationships often suffer as well. With this exceptional event we want to build a bridge and facilitate happy and carefree moments. The affected children will be motivated and through this common experience will be integrated visibly and genuinely with other children. They will experience a day outside of the hospital setting and learn that they are not isolated despite their rare illness. Because of this event’s integrative nature the inhibitions between healthy and ill children will be reduced.
Affected families and their children remain the focal point of this event and they will be noticeably and proactively involved. Parents will be supported, motivated, and mobilised through us to exchange with other families. Alternative therapies and everyday life experiences can be shared which can then allow these parents and children to improve their own quality of life. Caregivers may also experience motivation through this exchange and can learn how to engage themselves even further. This aspect is the target of our Patient to Patient Coaching handouts which are currently under development.
Animals as Bridge Builders. Animals help serve as bridge builders and contact with them removes tension while simultaneously the fascination of this experience will be more important than each individual’s own difficult situation. The facilitated and playful contact with animals distracts and allows children to relieve their stress. Our elves will be ready on-site to assist in building the children’s trust and by motivating them to complete the small obstacle course. Relational and symbolic facts of different rare diseases will be presented by creating a link (bridge) to various zoo animals. Throughout the obstacle course the children will earn and collect points which may then be redeemed upon completion for a toy (i.e., stuffed animal) which can then serve as a lasting and positive souvenir of what they learned.
Location
The event will take place in «Kinderzoo» (Circus Knie’s Zoo) in Rapperswil. The Zoo is well connected by public transportation.
More Information soon…
Wir freuen uns auf Ihren Besuch.
Das Elfen Helfen Team
