Creating a better life
for chronically and
terminally ill children
across America.
Picture Me Happy engages hospitalized children in the creative process by introducing them to the digital camera and teaching them to set up their own photo shoots.
Picture Me Happy's “hands-on photo workshop,” transforms the child and their enviornment . Cameras clicking, smiles widening, creativity expanding, brightness fills the room as the child brings focus into the creative process, the moment, and away from illness.
Miller Children's Hospital We are writing this letter in support of the program “Picture Me Happy”. They have been a wonderful addition to our special visitors program. Since they began coming to our hospital, they have enhanced the lives of many of our patients and families. There are many things that are wonderful about the “Picture Me Happy” program. One of the best things is that they provide the children with many choices and a sense of control. While in the hospital, the children aren’t able to make many choices and can feel like their life is out of control. When “Picture Me Happy” is there, the children get to choose if they participate or not, and choose who, what and where they take their pictures. Finally, they get to choose how they put their pictures together into a scrapbook. This allows them to be creative and control their finished product. We have seen children from toddlers to teenagers participate in this program with gusto. Some of the older kids put a lot of thought into creating backdrops, and taking very specific pictures. Another wonderful thing about this program is that it encourages patients, their parent, and siblings to work together and helps create memories, and encourages their familiar bond, which can be stressed while the child is hospitalized. Many of the kids take pictures of various family members, and usually want their parent(s) to help them with moving around the unit to choose their photo subjects. Also, this program is helpful in helping the children become more familiar with the hospital environment, and also helping them become the teachers to siblings and family members about the hospital. We have seen children taking pictures of various medical equipment, including their IV poles, blood pressure machines, and the nurses’ station. Then, once they take their scrapbooks home, they can show them to their families and teach them about the function of the various items. Finally, “Picture Me Happy” is wonderful because it is different and just plain fun! They are the only program I have seen that allows the patients to use a camera and take photos of whatever they want by themselves. The patients and families always have an excellent time when “Picture Me Happy” comes to visit. Some of the patients have participated with them numerous times throughout different hospitalizations, and always get excited when we tell them that “Picture Me Happy” is coming! Thank you so much for your time, and hopefully you will support this fantastic program which has been a wonderful support to our patients and their families. Allison Singhi BA CCLS Rose Mills BA CLS (562) 933-8613 (562) 933-8613 2801 Atlantic Avenue Long Beach, CA 90806 (562) 933-KIDS | (562) 933-5437
For the children and their families this personal life journal of photographs and writings is priceless.
To Whom It May Concern, 
