My Why: Natalie Wilson’s journey from patient to Child Life Specialist at SickKids

Posted on April 14, 2025

Summary:

After Natalie was diagnosed with leukemia at 11, she felt like SickKids preserved her childhood. Today, she aims to bring holistic care to children and their families as a Child Life Specialist.

Natalie Wilson was just 11 when she was diagnosed with leukemia at 2:30 a.m. in the Emergency Department of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Today, she is a Child Life Specialist on SickKids’ Cardiac Critical Care Unit. Here is Natalie’s My Why — the story of her extra special connection to SickKids — in her own words.

My diagnosis was just months after my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. What I remember most about that conversation is my mom hugging me and telling me that we were going to go through this cancer treatment together. SickKids knew this additional layer of stress and was there every step of the way for my family.

Natalie holding a white stuffed animal with lots of cards in her room. — Natalie on unit 8A the first time she was admitted.

One of the multiple times I was admitted on 8A, the inpatient Haematology/Oncology unit, my mom and I were due for our joint radiation appointments at another hospital, so SickKids arranged transportation for us to get there and back safely.

Natalie standing with her sister, mom and dad, with a forest and water in the background. — Natalie with her sister, Lauren, and parents, Kitty and Wayne, before she was diagnosed with leukemia.

All of my doctors and nurses over the years, including Dr. David Malkin and Karen Kinnear, who are still working here in leadership roles, always made sure that myself and my family were treated as people first, and provided us with the patient and family-centred care we needed to get through the long days, weeks and years.

Karen Kinnear, Natalie Wilson and Dr. David Malkin stand in the Atrium at the SickKids 150th birthday celebration. — From left to right: Karen Kinnear, Natalie Wilson and Dr. David Malkin at the SickKids 150th birthday celebration.

SickKids ensured we had opportunities to be a family, and that I didn't lose my childhood due to a cancer diagnosis.

Natalie in a hospital bed with her sister and dad. — Natalie with her dad and sister the first time she was admitted to 8A.

Rather than painful or traumatic memories of difficult medical interventions, I remember most the gentle coaching and encouragement from nurses, staff providing a supportive ear for my mom to share her worries, the fun Halloween costumes the staff donned and jokes and giggles with my clinic nurse.

Natalie, age 11, sitting on a bench, facing the camera, with an IV pole behind her.

Natalie on a bench on the hospital’s 8th floor during her first admission.

I also remember peaceful evening breaks from the unit when my mom and I sat at the benches overlooking Elizabeth Street, as I learned to walk again. It was at these benches that my mom shared how important it would be to tell our story when all of the illness had passed.

Natalie, age 17, sitting on the same bench on the eighth floor. — Natalie, 17, at a long-term follow-up appointment.

When my mom’s cancer returned halfway through my treatment, she was determined to see me though my illness and never missed a single one of my chemo days for the next year and a half as her own health declined. When she died a few months following my completion of treatment, SickKids remained there for my family and I during my long- term follow up.

Natalie, now an adult, sits on the same bench. In the background there is a blue balloon sculpture, part of the hospital's 150th birthday celebrations.

Natalie, now a Child Life Specialist at SickKids, at the same window where she used to sit with her mom.

I am where I am today due to SickKids not only saving my life, but preserving my childhood and providing the encouragement to rebuild my strength, both physically and psychosocially.

Natalie, 12, blows out the candles on a birthday cake. — Natalie, while receiving treatment, on her 12th birthday.

By going through my three years of cancer treatment at SickKids and being followed and supported by the hospital until I turned 18, I learned that there is much more that goes into healing and quality of life aside from medications.

Natalie, in 2025, stands in front of the sign in the unit entrance that reads Paediatric & Cardiac Critical Care Unit. — Natalie stands in the unit where she now works as a Child Life Specialist.

I remember my spirits being lifted, my (seemingly small) accomplishments being celebrated, and being seen as an individual beyond my diagnosis. As a Child Life Specialist at SickKids, I now have the honour to provide this same type of support for other families, which is a humbling and incredible privilege.

Natalie sits at a table and points at a doll that has a Ventricular Assist Device. There is a stethoscope and other medical equipment on the table.

Natalie uses a doll in a demonstration of a Ventricular Assist Device.

As a Child Life Specialist on the Cardiac Critical Care Unit, I help support children and their families with the stress and challenges of illness and hospitalization through teaching, developing coping skills, and play to empower patients and their siblings to build resiliency.

Natalie holds a spherical, colourful plastic toy that expands and compresses, in front of her face. There is a pink-purple light in the background. — Natalie uses a toy to show a breathing technique in SickKids' Multisensory Room.

Having experienced both sides of the caregiving, I strive for quality child and family-centred care each day that I step into the hospital, which not only fulfils me but encourages me to keep striving to provide the best holistic care possible for children and their families.

Two images side by side: on the left, Natalie crouches beside a young boy in a hospital bed. On the right, years later, Natalie and the boy, now older, wear SickKids t-shirts. — Natalie with Colm, a SickKids patient she's worked with for more than 10 years who also walked in the Ambassador Parade.

The memory of my mom lives on in everything I do, and I know she would be proud of this wonderful career path that my childhood experiences at SickKids inspired.

What’s your SickKids story?

As we celebrate our 150th birthday this year, we want to hear from staff, patients and community members who have an extra special connection to SickKids. Share your “My Why” on social media with #SickKids150!