‘Brave and safe’: Heroes needed for Medicine Hat hospital’s new themed pediatric room

“You don’t feel like you’re in a hospital room, it was more calming,” Barnes told CHAT News in a recent interview.

The themed room is decorated with the photos of local pets, a huge dog and cat poster and blue wallpaper with paw prints. It’s a sharp contrast to the often drab and bland regular hospital rooms.

The colourful pet room was made possible through a fundraiser put together by Kristina Hyde in 2020.

Now, Hyde is asking for the community’s help to bring another room in the hospital’s pediatric ward to life.

The theme this time is superheroes.

Hyde got the idea from her own children.

“I’ve learned more about in the last few months about superheroes than I have in 30 years,” she said.

“If my kids — I hope they don’t — but if they ever have to come to this room, I know that it would provide them with so much happiness and a bit of distraction.”

Hyde hopes it gives pediatric patients the little extra boost they need to face their treatment.

“Superheroes symbolize strength, courage, and they have the ability to overcome any challenge that comes their way, and I think that’s a really powerful message to send children,” she said.

Kristina Hyde wants to bring the superhero inspiration into a themed pediatric room. Kevin Kyle/CHAT News

“I’m hoping this room helps them feel brave and safe. And then gives them an opportunity to dream during their hospital stay.”

Hyde is putting the call out for local heroes with the aim of filling the room with 30 uplifting photos of heroes.

Those who want to help bring the room to life can do so by donating $100 to the Medicine Hat and District Health Foundation and then submit a photo or scanned drawing submission to Info@OurHealthFoundation.ca.

The Help Them Dream Big fundraiser runs until the end of August. Those who donate will receive a tax receipt.

Hyde and the health foundation are working with Titanium Signs and Designs to turn the submissions into posters that will adorn the walls of the new Superhero Sanctuary Room, along with a superhero mural.

Heather Bach, executive director of the health foundation, said the amount of joy themed rooms bring to pediatric patients and their families can even make their stay shorter.

“Creating a hero room or any kind of room that takes some of that clinical feel and makes it a little more homey reduces everyone’s stress; mom and dad’s and the kids,” Bach told CHAT News at the hospital.

“Reduced stress means you’re going to heal quicker and you’re going to get home sooner.”

by Eli J. Ridder

‘Brave and safe’: Heroes needed for Medicine Hat hospital’s new themed pediatric room

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