A Place of Healing and Happiness

When Kidville member Kate and her mom Melissa started Big Muscles for Little Babies, Kate was a little over 6 months old.  She grew from a baby to a toddler in the class from crawling to standing to walking to running.  Kate loved chasing the bubbles, swinging, and jumping on the TumblTrak .

All of that came to a halt when Melissa and husband Trey learned their then 8-month old Kate had cancer.  Days that had once consisted of bubbles and swinging, were now made up of several difficult surgeries and six courses of chemotherapy.  These months also included isolation for Kate due to her compromised immunity.  While the family wasn't able to come to classes at Kidville during this time, memories they had here became quite comforting.

"Kate loved the singing at the beginning and end of the class, especially the Tick Tock song," says Melissa.  "Prior to Kate's first operation, she was scared and inconsolable while we waited for the surgery team to come get her in pre-op.  Trey and I tried everything to comfort her and nothing seemed to help.  Finally, I began rocking her and singing "Tick Tock, Tick Tock, I'm a little cuckoo clock" to her.  Kate's body relaxed and she began to calm down."  Melissa says to this day, she is convinced Kate associated the song with Kidville and happier memories and that as a parent, she is grateful that those memories provided comfort.

It was also Kidville's welcoming staff  and members that provided comfort to Melissa and Trey.  "After months of hospital stays, our once outgoing, strong girl had become a little shy and a little reserved.  The staff at kidville always made a point of welcoming Kate back and letting her ease back into the class."

Melissa says, without hesitation, that she would recommend Kidville to parents of children with illness.  "Kidville's owner, Charmaine, has been extremely understanding in allowing us to schedule make-up classes or attend classes depending on how Kate was feeling.  The staff is considerate and welcoming, and the other parents have provided a strong support system."  She also speaks highly of the cleanliness of the facility.  "As a parent of an immune-compromised child, I can attest that Kidville provides a clean and safe environment.  One of the hardest things about Kate's diagnosis was the isolation she endured while undergoing chemotherapy."

Melissa says in many ways, Kidville was the light at the end of the tunnel.  Coming back meant that Kate was well enough to be out and about again.  To this day, Kate, who has completed treatment, runs into to class and smiles when she walks through the doors.  Melissa and Trey are now looking forward to introducing their son to Kidville. 

"In some ways, the classes at Kidville helped Kate heal as much as the medicine because they provided a comforting routine to her in a happy environment and, each time, her outgoing personality began to shine through again."