Tag: resilience in children

Faith Journey, Medical, Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome

Beads of Courage – A Story of Strength and Recognition

Brandi C

Beads of Courage – A Story of Strength and Recognition

Beads of Courage – A Story of Strength and Recognition. For two years, we’ve tried to access the Beads of Courage program—a powerful way to honor children facing life-altering health conditions. I first discovered this initiative through a fellow blogger whose child received these meaningful beads. The concept stayed with me.

At one point during a hospital stay at Norton Children’s, we inquired about participating. A Child Life worker explained the eligibility requirements, which include:

  • Cancer and blood disorders

  • Cardiac conditions

  • Burn injuries

  • Neonatal ICU families

  • Chronic illnesses

Believing we qualified under chronic illness, we completed a detailed form documenting medical procedures, treatments, and milestones. It was a humbling and emotional process to recall every difficult step. Despite submitting the paperwork, we never heard back. The reason? Our child didn’t have cancer, and thus wasn’t eligible at that facility.

We didn’t inquire again at other hospitals, assuming the answer would be the same.

Until recently.

During a visit to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, we saw a boy proudly walking with his Beads of Courage necklace, and that spark reignited. When we mentioned it to our Child Life specialist, Katie, she lit up. “He qualifies,” she said without hesitation.

The program had expanded over time, and our child was now eligible. Katie walked us through the process and gave us a form to fill out—documenting brave moments, medical milestones, and the number of days he’d been ill. Each bead represents a piece of his story, and he got to handpick every one.

Hospitals may be unpredictable. Nurses, routines, and outcomes change. But the Beads of Courage offer something constant and bright in a child’s journey. Each bead is a tangible reminder of strength, bravery, and resilience.

You can help make this joy possible for other kids by supporting the Beads of Courage program. Donations—whether beads or financial—can be made through their official website. Organizations like the Nashville Predators also help fund the program at Vanderbilt, spreading hope one bead at a time.

Reach Out

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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From the Outside Looking

Brandi C

From the Outside Looking

From the Outside Looking

From the Outside Looking In {my family}

We were a happy family

{We} went to church

We spent time with other people

{We} went places together

But what you don’t see

Is the mother that can’t get out of bed

Or the stepfather that won’t help feed the kids

And the nine-year-old raising her younger brothers.

All that is seen is what they want you to see

Happy, healthy children

Children that spend time with other kids

And parents that provide the best they can

Truly my parents did try the best they could

But sometimes that’s not enough

Sometimes the best is not good or bad just an effort

On the days that everyone was happy

Everything was fine

But those days when the yelling was too hard to bear

Or the throwing of things was upsetting to hear

Those are the days that stick with children

Having a stepfather that could care less

Or can’t stand to look at you because you’re not his

Or maybe because of jealousy of the bond a mother has with her kids

That is hard

And then there are the days

When your mother can’t get out of bed

Because she has massive depression

Not that you understand because yet again you are nine

Those days are the days that are the hardest

Because you’re alone in the house

And in charge of the kids

Who are five and one

Don’t get me wrong I love those kids

And I would do anything for them still

But there is so much one child can do

And some things are just too much responsibility

And even though no one knew what was going on

Or maybe no one was observant enough to see

Either way, I choose to believe that it all happened for a reason

And I would still choose to help even though it took away my childhood

At least they got to keep theirs