CLIENT STORIES

Annabelle’s Story

“When Mom was diagnosed with cancer in November, my initial concern was for her health and well-being.

However, my thoughts quickly shifted to Annabelle, knowing how deeply connected she and Mom are. In this challenging time, l've been incredibly fortunate to have Brittany in our lives.

Annabelle finds joy in creating art with Brittany, and I do my best to let their moments together unfold naturally without interfering too much. Annabelle often wants me nearby during their sessions, which can make it challenging for me not to react as a parent.

Recently they were painting with watercolors. At one point, Annabelle pressed her entire hand into the paints—a moment that instantly triggered the mom in me. I wanted to jump in and say, "Oh Annabelle, don't ruin Mrs. Brittany's paints!" But instead, I held back and let her explore freely. What emerged was really special—a rainbow handprint that felt like a reflection of her vibrant spirit. If either Brittany or I had tried to guide her into creating something specific, it would never have turned out so beautifully.

Brittany has an extraordinary gift for allowing life and emotions to flow naturally within her space. Her ability to nurture creativity and healing is something truly remarkable, and I feel so blessed that Annabelle gets to experience it firsthand.

This simple rainbow hand served as a reminder for me that when given a safe and nurturing environment, children can create their own beauty, reminding us that sometimes, the most beautiful moments arise from the freedom to explore and express themselves.

All these thoughts triggered from one hand, a safe space, and watercolors.

— Annabelle’s Mom

Testimonials

  • “When my five year old son was scheduled to have an outpatient procedure, I reached out to Brittany for guidance. While this procedure was relatively simple, I knew that my five year old needed to feel comfortable with it and reassured. Brittany delivered the facts in a way that my son could understand. Learning more information about his procedure helped him feel empowered and confident. He could not wait to share all he learned with his brother following his session with Brittany. The morning of his procedure he had a huge smile on his face and was happy to comply with all the staff he encountered that morning. I truly believe that meeting with Brittany made an incredible difference for him and helped everything go smoothly. Brittany is a true gem who has found her calling”

    —Charlotte Mom

  • “Brittany is a wonderful collaborator with the Child Life department at Novant Health. Being the child life specialist in surgery, it is incredibly helpful for my patients when they have met with Brittany first. Brittany is able to assess, build rapport, and teach me how to best help the patient cope when they are in pre-op the day of surgery. Recently, I had a 6yo patient come in for an endoscopy. Brittany learned all about this patient’s likes, triggers, and already present coping strategies in a way that is not possible for child life at the hospital to do in the short time they are in pre-op.  Her sharing this information with me allowed me to enhance the patient’s coping during his time in surgery tremendously, to the point where the patient did not show any ounce of fear from pre-op all the way through anesthesia induction. This was an incredible moment for not only the patient but his family as well. Having Brittany work with my patients is truly a game-changer!”

    —Allie, Child Life Specialist

  • “When we were faced with a cancer diagnosis for our 5-year-old daughter, Brittany graciously stepped in as a calming, safe person for us.  She worked one-on-one with our daughter to provide age-appropriate education regarding her body and new diagnosis. This prepared her for surgery, a hospital stay, and potential treatment she would need to endure. Not only did she help my daughter, but she also provided us, as parents, with information that gave us confidence to navigate the complicated medical world.  The guidance and encouragement she provided to our entire family was more helpful to our situation than I could ever express. When I think back on that dark time that our family walked, Brittany always comes to mind as a bright light.”

    —Charlotte Mom

  • “Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful experience for my class today! They couldn’t stop talking about how "Teddy Bear Hospital was the best!"  C described it as "magical," adding, "I get to take my own teddy home with me." Your efforts truly don’t go unnoticed. We are so grateful for the amazing opportunity you’ve given us. I, too, think it’s "magical." It was such a pleasure having you in our class, and I only wish the experience could have lasted longer! Thank you again for everything you do to make this so special for all of us.”

    —Kindergarten Teacher

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