Today, I have found a news, which I knew a few days ago: "Two rooms of the Gregorio Marañón converted into lunar modules".
Effectively, traveling to a lunar station, to contemplate the universe and unleash the imagination, is an experience at hand, for children, in cancer treatment, at the “Hospital Maternal and Child of the Gregorio Marañón”, in Madrid. Small astronauts, with their imagination, can travel to a lunar module and change the fear of an uncertain environment by the curiosity to explore "a fascinating world", in a mission, where they only have the control.
 as an astronaut in her room a 40 mm.jpg)
A girl (Daniela) as an astronaut in her room
"This change in relation to the environment has profound repercussions on a psychological and physical level", explains Mario Alonso Puig, Doctor and honorary Master of JUEGATERAPIA, the Foundation, that has launched this project, in collaboration with Play Office.
Mario Alonso Puig
Children sick with cancer are subjected to "a very hard test" as it is to receive the treatment in conditions of isolation. Facing an "uncertain, ambiguous and complex environment sets in motion a stress reaction" in any human being, but ”the relaxation and serenity ", associateed with the game, “favour the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, that favour the cellular functioning and the repair of the tissues", explains Puig.
The two rooms, converted into lunar modules, at the Hospital Maternal and Kid of the Gregorio Marañón, allow children to have control over details, such as the intensity and colour of the lights, the music they want to hear, on the speakers, the movie they want to see or if they feel like to play to the Play Station.
The Play Office studio, which has designed the rooms, explains that it is not a question of creating an extension of their home, since they know they will only be there for a while, but to generate an atmosphere that will help them to distract themselves, "channel their emotions and broaden the range of activities, which the children have access to, when they are in isolation".
When the small astronauts arrive, at the lunar module, they find the following words: "The lunar station can only be visited, for a certain time, when it is necessary to do some type of study or exploration. It is a privileged place, to see the stars, the universe and listen wonderful stories. When you leave, you will have many things to tell".
As I told you, at the beginning, I knew this new –about the lunar modules, in the Gregorio Marañon Hospital--, because, one week ago, more or less, I could watch, on tv, these rooms, with some children, with the President of the Community of Madrid (Cristina Cifuentes) and the spanish Astronaut, Pedro Duque.
Cristina Cifuentes asnd Pedro Duque with Daniela
Children, who have to undergo treatment under isolation conditions, to be protected from infections, face a test "very hard at a very early moment in their life", explains Puig. They change their home, in an unfamiliar and complex environment, for an environment more associated with pain, than with enjoyment, explains Mario Alonso Puig, and this situation triggers a stress reaction, that activates the amygdalin nuclei of the brain, that function as "detectors of danger".
The result of this stress especially damages the fight, against the disease, causing a reduction in the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells, that forms an important part of the immune system, and an increase of inflammatory cytokines, proteins that regulate the interactions of the cells of the immune system .
The JUEGATERAPIA Foundation (the promoter of the project, in which it has worked during the last two years) takes the game to the children, in treatment, as a way to escape from their reality. "It returns them to the normality of what should be their life", explains Lourdes Amayas, spokeswoman of the Foundation, that has by motto "Playing the chemo, it spends flying".
With these children, there is no need to limit play time, as it does when children are healthy and at home. This distraction gives them strength to fight against their illness. Meanwhile, the family environment is "fundamental", explains Lourdes Amayas, who hopes that the Foundation can work to turn all hospitals, into "joyful and pleasant places for children”.
Well, I agree with Lourdes Amayas; but, by the moment, I am glad knowing this nice project, in the Gregorio Marañon Hospital.
Until my next post, kind regards,
Luis.
Sponsored by Costaluz Lawyers.
Please click below:
