Laura's Story

Hello my name is Laura Crain, and I am a certified child life specialist at Children’s Memorial Herman Hospital in Houston, Texas. I have worked there for 17 years. As a child life specialist, I work with patients and families to provide developmental and psychological interventions including therapeutic play, preparation for procedures, and education to reduce fear and anxiety. I chose to become a child life specialist because I wanted to help patients and families through difficult times in the hospital.

When I began my career, I started in the emergency room at the hospital. After working in a Level 1 trauma center emergency room, I decided to change things up and work in day surgery. Once I moved to day surgery, I started working with the pediatric GI patients. As I started to meet more GI patients and speak with more families, I soon realized that these patients needed education and support outside of the hospital.

I began searching for resources that I could use to help families learn more about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It was at this point I heard about the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and found their amazing resources for those dealing with these diseases. I reached out to the Foundation and met some of the amazing staff who let me know about Camp Oasis, the Take Steps Walk, and the other activities and services they provide. Now, as I get new infusion patients, I always give them information about the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to walk along side my patients and families helping them through their treatments. Whether it is listening to their stories or helping them with education or normalization during treatment, I know that many of these patients will have to take medicine forever. I want to help raise awareness for patients and funds so that one day, we may find a cure or more efficient remedies. As I have walked along side with them in treatment, I am so excited and honored to walk along side with them and their families at the Take Steps Walk. I hope many of you can come walk with us on May 1 and help raise awareness and money to help those struggling with Crohn’s and colitis.are excited you’ve decided to make a difference in the fight against Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. As a Take Steps supporter, you recognize that no one should have to deal with the fear, uncertainty, and pain of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We believe that when we band together in the fight against IBD, we can have a lasting effect on the lives of every person diagnosed today and in the future.