Beads

Beads of Courage

This is a really cool program that the hospital does! These beads put a positive spin on everything that Josiah has gone through. The mission of this organization is providing innovative, arts-medicine supportive care programs for children coping with serious illness, their families and the health care providers who care for them.

We feel so fortunate to be a part of this program, as we can now look back on all of Josiah's beads and see the courage it took to get each bead.

For more information about this program, visit: http://www.beadsofcourage.org/

What do the beads represent?  Here's a list of a few of Josiah's beads:
Orange: Central line, PICC
Glass Star: CICU/ICU Admisison
Gray: Dressing Change

Glow in the Dark: Echocardiogram
Magenta: Ambulance Ride/Unusual Occurance
Purple: Antibiotics
Yellow: Sleep over in the hospital
Black: IV starts/blood draws
Light Green: Tests--X-rays, EKG, MRI, CT scan
Red: Transfusions
Aqua: Tube insertions and removals
Pink: Ventilator support
Rainbow: PT/OT/ST/RT visits
Glass: Acts of Courage
Square Heart: Cardiac surgery
Glass Square: Cardiac Catheterization

August 2013: Josiah had just overcome the PA Banding surgery and had already gained lots and lots of beads for being less than a month old! Another plug for a really cool organization is Heart Heros! They sent Josiah his super hero cape for him to wear when he has cardiac appointments, major surgeries or hospital stays. :) See their website here.

October 2014: Home from the hospital and we found more of a permanent location for Josiah's beads!  He's had 5 surgeries, 3 cardiac catheterizations and countless nights in the hospital, pokes, echos and tests.

August 2015: Showing off his super cool Heart Heroes cape and all his beads!