January 19, 2015 - Bear Givers provided teddy bears for a Teddy Bear Clinic, hosted by The DePaul Student Nurse Association Service and Philanthropy Committee in Chicago, at the Kohl Children's Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd, in Glenview.
The museum had a record number of visitors as 360 children visited 6 interactive stations at the clinic that allowed them to role play different aspects of health that might be frightening, or challenging to understand. Children were introduced to CPR, an imaging station with X-rays, MRI, CT, etc., scales, stethoscopes, otoscopes, opthalmascopes, etc; cast-making where children splint and cast a "broken" bone, a blood pressure station where they became more familiar with the cuff and process and the why behind it; and an immunization station since this can be so traumatic for children. Partnering with a Child Life Specialist from Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago ensured that all demonstrations were appropriate.
Once their teddy bears had been treated at each station, they were able to take them home. The children loved their bears, learned a lot and had plenty of fun – it was a great success!!