Hospital trains teens
for special care

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - It's one thing to find a babysitter you trust, but finding a sitter to care for a child with a disability can be challenging. Riley Hospital for Children is hoping to educate teenagers from Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet School on how to provide the proper care.

The program is called "Special Sitter Training" and is through Clarian and the IU School of Medicine.

"Last year we ran 58 students from Crispus Attucks and we put them through CPR training and the whole thing," said Christina Rogers of the Riley Hospital for Children.

The students receive training, information and resources on caring for children with disabilities or special healthcare needs such as diabetes or ADHD.

"I have two cousins that have autism. I do see them and it shows me how to relate to them. And not to say they're autistic or anything like that but to see them as children and not someone and not someone who has a disability," said Crispus Attucks student Deana Howell.

Medical interns volunteer their time to teach teens disability awareness, medical equipment, communication techniques and activities for children with special needs.

"I hope to learn how to handle children with disabilities but I also want to be a help to the community with children that are dealing with disabilities. I want to let some people know it's a struggle but you can get through it with a little bit of help," said student Candise Williams.

"I think that individuals, teenagers can baby-sit children and you don't have to respite dollars in excess just for a couple of hours so that Mom can go to the grocery store," said Williams.

Any teenager, ages 13 to 16, who have graduated from a Safe Sitter or a similar babysitting program can take part in the "Special Care Sitter" training.

Visit the Riley Hospital for Children web site for more information.