Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital

Entering Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital from One Children's Circle, patients and families ride the glass-enclosed express elevator to the 11th and 12th floors of the signature tree house—an out-of-this-world annex to the East Tower, with imaginative spaces for kids and families.
August 9: Stonework Play took place on the 11th floor at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. An intimate group of five families, their child-life specialists and volunteers had a peaceful and meaningful time together. Stonework Play acted as a therapeutic activity tailored to meet each family’s social, emotional, and developmental needs, promoting a little healing along the way.

Sarah found stones that truly looked like teeth. She was so happy with her story, and she read it to the others with an unsolicited round of applause.‘Once upon a time there was a tooth fairy with huge wings! She carried a purse, in the shape of a circle, to hold all the teeth she collected! Love surrounded her wherever she goes!’ Sarah age 12

The child who made her animal stone characters patiently on the window ledge, 11 stories up, created a turtle, a beautiful butterfly and other animals in a stately row. Her brother, a little over 3, was initially just bringing the stones back and forth in the basket he chose. Suddenly, he said to me, “I don’t know what to make.” “What do you love?” I asked him. All at the same time. his parents and sister exclaimed “racecars,” in unison with the brother. I suggested a racetrack. He made a magnificent racetrack.

Ethan wrote his signature in stones, as seen in the photos below. Ethan and his mom made a house, just like the real one that they are missing. Notice the long sidewalk entrance to their stone house.

Each participant chose a stone to keep for good luck.

The video is about a smart, meandering lizard that had lived by the sun (found in the lower, right-hand corner), and a predator that you will see in the making near the sun.

Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital Syracuse, New York, USA August 9, 2013

Stonework Play