Empowering Children Living with Medical Conditions Through Play ||Mary Jenner RN BSN OCN

Oct 12, 2023

Ep.68

Empowering Children Living with Medical Conditions Through Play ||Mary Jenner RN BSN OCN

Helping kids with conditions such as cancer through play is a wonderful way to support them. Playtime is not just fun but a powerful way for these brave kids to feel better emotionally and forget about their illnesses for a while. Giving them toys to play with lets them be creative and strong and have some normal fun, even though they are sick. These toys are like little sparks of happiness in their tough journey and a reminder to them that they are strong and can still be kids and have big dreams, even when things are hard. Join this conversation with Mary Jenner RN, former Pediatric oncology nurse who has dedicated her life to developing medical devices and toys for kids living with cancer.

Mary Jenner wears many hats with passion and purpose. As a loving mother, dedicated nurse, and accomplished author of "The Butterfly Pig," she is also the driving force behind the innovative kid’s medical device toys. Mary's mission is to create a world where children can gain confidence and understanding through play, particularly those with medical conditions. Her journey began in the challenging realm of Pediatric Oncology, where she recognized the need for medically inclusive toys. Years later, after nearly eight years of service as a care coordinator and clinic nurse in an adult oncology unit, Mary decided to take her commitment a step further. In April 2023, she bravely left her clinical role to fully devote herself to her thriving business, offering children a brighter, more inclusive future through the power of play.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Episode:

[00:30] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest, Mary Jenner

[01:44] Meet and greet Mary Jenner and know what her value to the world

[05:43] Mary’s experiences in hospice and palliative

[09:31] Mary’s current projects

[12:43] Who Mary works with to design the toys from a picture to a real toy

[16:14] Success stories of how Mary’s toys have helped children

[19:09] Other toys available besides the kid's devices

[20:07] How you can get Mary’s baby products

[20:40] Her best medical products

[21:46] Who a child life specialist is and their invaluable services

[24:16] Golden nuggets and words of wisdom from Mary

[26:25] Ending show and calls to action

Notable Quotes

● Though hospice empowers some people, it can be disempowering to others because they feel as if accepting hospice is like giving up. And that is a tough mindset to change in oncology. [08:00]

● The way a child learns is through play. [17:56]

● The understanding of kids is based on them touching things. That is why kids' toys are so important to them. Kids learn and grow when they interact with them. [18:54]