Season 6, Episode #54 – Fruit Fly Collective
Guest Hosts: Dr. Caroline Leek BSc MSc PhD RSA CF, Director of Fruit Fly Collective
Summary:
In this conversation, Dr. Caroline Leek discusses her journey from personal loss to creating impactful resources for families affected by cancer. She shares insights on the work of the Fruit Fly Collective and the importance of educating children about cancer. The conversation highlights the need for emotional support, community engagement, and empowering children through knowledge and tools. In this conversation, Caroline and Julie explore the complexities of discussing cancer with children, emphasizing the importance of open communication, the intuitive nature of children, and the common parental stressors that arise in such situations. They share personal anecdotes and insights on how to foster agency in children, the significance of addressing misconceptions, and the universal impact of cancer on families. The discussion also highlights the need for accessible resources and the potential for collaboration to enhance support for families dealing with cancer.
Keywords:
cancer support, parenting, emotional well-being, education, community, boxing for women, childhood cancer, family dynamics, mental health, empowerment, childhood, cancer, communication, parental guilt, children’s intuition, family support, emotional health, coping strategies, resources, collaboration
Initiatives Featured in this episode:
Community Resource, Parental Support, Bibliotherapy
Takeaways:
- The Fruit Fly Collective supports parents of children with cancer.
- Toolkits help families understand cancer and its effects.
- Children absorb information about cancer from various sources.
- Empowering children with knowledge is crucial.
- Community engagement is vital for effective support.
- The coaching program shows promising positive outcomes.
- Continuous reevaluation of tools is necessary for effectiveness.
- Personal experiences drive the passion for supporting families. Children should be given agency in difficult situations.
- Open communication helps clear misconceptions about cancer.
- Kids are intuitive and pick up on adult emotions.
- Parental guilt is a common struggle for families.
- Talking about cancer can strengthen family bonds.
- Children often fill in gaps with their own narratives.
- Resources should be accessible to all families.
- Collaboration can enhance support for families.
- Understanding children’s perspectives is crucial.
- Cancer affects families universally, regardless of location.
Key Websites:
Fruit Fly Collective: https://www.fruitflycollective.com/
Dr. Caroline Leek TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL2W4XEQCng