Leukaemia and other blood cancers can be very tough for a child to go through. There are many people in the life of a young person who will be touched by their diagnosis, from their parents to the rest of their whānau. It also impacts their peers.
A young person’s world revolves around their family and their school life – and when one of these things is off-balance, it can be difficult to cope. Absences, a scary-sounding disease, and a change to the classroom dynamic can be challenging for tamariki.
This is where the Monkey in My Chair programme comes in as a therapeutic resource. It keeps young patients undergoing treatment connected with their teachers and classmates in a positive, supportive, and compassionate way.
When a young person is away from school, the bigger of the two monkeys sits in the student’s chair, while the smaller monkey keeps the patient company while they are missing their friends at school.
Classmates are encouraged to include the big monkey in lessons and send messages and news to their friend using Monkey’s bright yellow backpack. LBC’s support services staff work with a patient’s parents and school to use the kits in a way which is easy, fun, and helpful for everyone involved.
Each Monkey in My Chair kit comes with two adorable fluffy monkeys plus a range of educational books, teacher guides and LBC resources.
For more details or if you are interested in implementing the Monkey in my Chair programme for your child or classroom, please contact a Support Services Coordinator