Stories
Sup•port (verb): give assistance to, enable to function or act. When a family enters a medical setting, they immediately begin to receive tremendous support from various medical professionals. We are there to provide additional support for patients and families as the care takes place. As a MAT aquarium begins to wheel around from location to location or room to room, we appreciatively begin hearing the stories from one patient and their family to the next. In these stories is where the dedicated support and understanding begins to grow.
Sup*port (verb): give assistance to, enable to function or act. When a family enters a medical setting, they immediately begin to receive tremendous support from various medical professionals. We are there to provide additional support for patients and families as the care takes place. As a MAT aquarium begins to wheel around from location to location or room to room, we appreciatively begin hearing the stories from one patient and their family to the next. In these stories is where the dedicated support and understanding begins to grow.
“Gabe often had the fish tank when he was admitted – they would bring it right in his room. It was very calming for him. It was especially comforting right after his first surgery – he lost the ability to speak for a few weeks and would get frustrated. Having the fish with him made him happy.”
–Jessica Dent Meier
“They brought “nemos” in for the first couple of weeks while in the PICU when Samuel was initially diagnosed. It really provided both of us comfort. The first few days were so hard, shocking, heartbreaking, numbing…I remember losing myself in that fish tank, escaping from reality in a way. Kids and parents really can benefit from these beautiful tanks. Samuel still asks for the “nemos” whenever we are admitted.”
–Dawn L. Dolcimascolo
“Peter was actually one of the first patients in the clinic to get to use it! What a game changer. He absolutely loved it, so soothing, calmed him down, so nice for both of us to watch The first thing he asked for after treatment ended was a fish tank!”
–Gina Rapatas
“Dylan loved it when he was going often. He went through a phase when it was hard to get him to sit for port access and he loved the fishy’s!!!”
–Joanna Schroeder
“Natalia loved looking at the tanks. They were especially nice to have for long in hospital treatments. To help pass the time we would look for “Nemo”. They are very soothing. Thank you!”
–Anna Saluga Pomykacz
“We love having MAT in the room at the hospital. My daughter finds the fish and the tank very soothing and relaxing. We enjoy watching the variety of fish and listening to the relaxing sounds of the bubbles. The mobility of the aquarium makes it easy to move wherever needed. The tank is always kept clean and truly helps my daughter to take her mind off her situation.”
–Mother of patient
“The tranquility that this has brought to my child has been outstanding. The colorful visual also helps her with her pain management and the several fish are exciting for her to watch.”
–Father of child
“This fish tank, the one in-clinic and the one in-patient SAVED us!”
–Amy Elizabeth
“Oh we love those tanks!! Oak Lawn has a huge stationary tank in the cancer center but one of these mobile ones in the day room and another one in the waiting area for the lab.”
–Jen Blaszczyk
“Jacob loved the fish tank when he was inpatient. He always asked his nurse if he could have it in his room and they would roll it in for the night for him. He loved everything about it. He loved it so much that he asked us for a fish for his bedroom.”
–Meghan Abraham
“That fish tank brought so much joy to Eleyna and myself when she was stuck at CDH for a week with the flu!! We had it in our room for a few nights and it was amazing!!”
–Quinn Marie
“My daughter is OBSESSED with it !! We have named the puffer fish “bob” and talk about him alllll the time (even when at home ). This fish tank has brought so much joy and has offered so much distraction during her chemo stays! I do not know what we would have done without it.”
–Amy Christoffel Pohaski
“We loved the fish tank. It made clinic and stays so much better.”
–Sheri May