Dear Welly First Aide,
I’m a blogger who writes about my family’s day- to- day life with medical complexities. I recently wrote a post titled “The Botched Blood Draw Part One” that led me to the first aid aisle at Target in search of just the “right” type of band-aids to bring to Nora’s, my 5-year-old daughter, monthly blood draws, medical appointments and, of late, frequent hospitalizations.
For Nora, the process of peeling off a masking-tape-sticker hospital band-aide is almost as uncomfortable as the process of getting “poked.” Unfortunately, at the end of a long medical day, we often end up peeling away multiple bandages from Nora’s hands or arms.
I have to admit, as I stood on the first aid aisle of Target evaluating bandage options to minimize Nora’s discomfort, I was overwhelmed by all of the available brands. However, I was drawn to your box of bandages for three reasons:
1) the unique and cheerful bandage design,
2) the name – Welly “Bravery Badges,”
3) the emphasis on “no fear, no tear removal.”
Since purchasing your product, I’ve had the opportunity to test one of your unicorn patterned – “Bravery Badges” for myself. And I’m pleased to tell you what you already know, Welly bandages are in fact “no fear, no tear.” I’ve packed a box of Bravery Badges in Nora’s appointment/ hospital bag, and I’m so curious to see which badge she picks out first, although I have a feeling she’ll choose the rainbow badge.
I’m looking forward to using Bravery Badges as an opportunity to remind my beautiful and gracious daughter just how brave and strong she is. Not many kids will let someone stick a needle in their arm and still offer a cheerful smile. I love how Nora chooses to share her sweet spirit with the world.
Our last few years have been full of medical ups and downs. But do you know what brings my family closer to wellness and healing? When a person, institution, or company, such as yours, thinks about minimizing discomfort or challenges for my children, my family, and for both typical and non-typical families alike. Thank you for designing such an excellent product and for promoting healing and resilience for all children and families by naming your bandages “Bravery Badges.”
With Gratitude,
Jesse Van Leeuwen
Click to read “The Botched Blood Draw Part Three,” or “The Botched Blood Draw Part One”
6 Comments
Great posts about the blood draws. I so admire your ability to wade through these challenging times. I do love reading your blogs and think of you all so often. The Lord definitely chose well for Nora and Everett. Love and blessings, Leanne Page
Jesse,
You inspire me by sharing your trials, tests, tears and triumphs. We are beings with human-ness. The is no perfect. Each of us hides a nakedness, a vulnerably, that will bring us to our knees. This human-ness is also our greatest asset. We will have opportunities to choose differently or do something for another, or respond rather than react. We can choose to create a kinder product or think to go out in search of one. We can give a hug or accept one. We can dance. We get to live this one day, only today, as best we can- perfectly imperfect, then move forward. We lean on each other’s experience for strength and hope. Thank you for sharing yours.
Run. Read. Hug. Write. And dance!
🌸kristin
I love the fact that you went in search for the right bandage for Nora. You found it, and then wrote the manufacturer. You think of everything that you can do, to make the best of everything for your sweet girl, and for her brother. Tyler got a good one, when he got you!! God bless you. Love, Joanie
Bravery appears in many forms.
In every bandage Nora wears.
I think she is the bravest of us all.
Maggie
Continuing beautiful examples of endurance and love. As a bandage would say to its companions: “Stick to it!”
Your family is blessed with uncommonly beautiful faces😊✝️ God is good