(NAPSA)—Fora child, going to a hospital for a blood test, injection or surgery doesn’t have to be a scary event. At the 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout North America, psychosocial care helps young patients cope with disabling orthopaedic or burn conditions through the use of Medical Play, Recreation Therapy and Relaxation Therapy. = Creating a friendly environment helps makestays easier for children at Shriners Hospitals. Medical Play is a form of therapy used to help patients understand their hospital stay. Patients practice coping skills by playing with dolls. Recreation Therapy provides an opportunity for patients to learn through play, and to cope with the challenges of hospitalization through laughter. Relaxation Therapy uses imagery and visualization to help patients find a “good place” while listening to calming music. Stuffed animals, singing and bubbles are also good distractions that relieve anxiety. For more information on Shriners’ network of 22 hospitals that provide free treatmentto children with orthopaedic problems, burns and spinal cord injuries, write to: Shriners International Headquarters, Public Relations Dept., 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, or visit the Web site at www.shrinershq.org. If you know a child Shriners can help, call 1-800-237-5055 in the United States or 1-800-3617256 in Canada. Shriners Hospitals provide free treatment to children under age 18 without regard to race, religion or relationship to a Shriner.
