The Butterfly

By Penny Kumpf, RN, VWD Community Outreach Nurse

One of life’s skills for a person with a bleeding disorder might include learning to self-infuse.  Our outreach nurses help a family, child, or individual learn this skill over a period of time. At Camp Wannaklot, the first award we give to a child learning to infuse is “The Butterfly Award.” The Butterfly Award is given to campers who have stuck themselves for the first time or are continuing training with the goal of being able to self-infuse.  When they are proficient at self-infusion they are awarded the Mighty Sticker Club award.  The Mighty Sticker Club award is given to those who have been checked off by their outreach nurse.  They are given a certificate of completion and a watch, and are photographed for the Horizons in Hemophilia newsletter.

Thinking of this Butterfly Award makes me think not only about the needle we use to self- infuse but the meaning of the butterfly.  Our award is actually made out of a butterfly needle and syringe.

The butterfly in many cultures is a symbol of transformation because of its impressive process of metamorphosis. As the butterfly emerges it goes from egg, to larvae (caterpillar), to pupa (the chrysalis or cocoon) and from the cocoon the butterfly emerges in its shining glory.  What a massive amount of transition this tiny creature undergoes! Picture this transformation; it is so extreme.  This change is a symbol of faith as well.  We are asked to keep the faith and accept the changes in our life.  How wonderful is that?

Helping your child transition fom infant to young adult is what we are working towards.  Learning about a diagnosis, making a first stick, knowing the name of your diagnosis, and being able to tell everyone how to treat this disorder.  That is a lot.  Think about where the young one has come from infant to adult to learn skills for life.  Amazing!

We were honored at the 2013 Camp Wannaklot to be able to give the Butterfly Award to:

Carter, Ben, Jessie, Rashan, Tyquan, Jordan, Stanley, Depri, Sibby, Stone, Rodney, Melvin, Joey, Jose, Nehemiah, Tommy, Samuel, Tristin, Arnold, Tyler, Collin, and Austin.

Keep the faith and keep on improving on the life skills you learn.  We are so proud of each of you!

Thanks to Mary Lou Cygan, MSN, RN, CPNP, Nurse Practitioner/Coordinator, Children's Hospital at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, and husband Larry for presenting the awards.