Kids deserve a childhood that is happy, healthy, and safe. So why would kids with chronic medical conditions be any different? The problem: mental health is often not a priority when treating kids for long-term medical conditions. I should know; I was one of those kids. My name is Cheyenne Heflin: I was diagnosed with pediatric cancer at thirteen, and ended up getting an amputation to save my life. One thing I learned through treatment was that my biggest problems weren’t always the physical ones. Mental and social problems were the ones I had the hardest time with.

I’m going to show you what it means to be one-legged and resilient. Mental health issues, social problems, the whole deal. What it meant for me to try and figure these problems out on my own. But my story isn’t the only example of why psychology needs more emphasis. I’ll be talking about various medical conditions through the lens of pediatric psychology: a recent field all about studying and promoting development in the context of pediatric health. I’ll also be trying to bring on guests with various conditions, so they can talk about their unique experiences living as chronically ill kids. Together, we can show the world that kids’ mental health is a gateway to living happy, healthy, childhoods with a chronic illness.

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