Resources
Financial Assistance
Patient Advocate Foundation – HUS Disease Fund The Patient Advocate Foundation provides financial assistance for families managing the costs of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome treatment. This fund supports those who qualify based on income guidelines.
Grief Support for Families Who Have Lost a Child
Losing a child is an unimaginable pain. David Kessler, one of the world’s foremost experts on grief, lost his own 21-year-old son and has dedicated his work to helping others navigate profound loss. Below are resources from his work that families may find helpful:
Grief.com – David Kessler’s website with articles, resources, and support for all types of grief
Tender Hearts Grief Support Groups – Virtual support groups for those grieving
Finding Meaning After Child Loss Course – An online course specifically for parents who have lost a child
The Mel Robbins Podcast: Grief, Heartbreak & Finding Hope – A conversation with David Kessler on moving through grief
TED Talk: How to Find Meaning After Loss – David Kessler shares insights on discovering meaning in the midst of grief
Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief – David Kessler’s book introducing a transformative sixth stage of grief beyond acceptance
Trauma Therapy Resources
When a child experiences a serious illness like STEC or HUS, the physical recovery is just one part of healing. The emotional and psychological impact can linger long after hospital discharge. Trauma-informed therapy can help children (and their families) process what they’ve been through and build resilience for the future.
Below are several therapeutic approaches that have helped families in our community. Every child is different, and what works for one may not work for another. We encourage you to explore these options and find the right fit for your family.
Somatic Experiencing
Healing Through the Body
Somatic therapy recognizes that trauma isn’t just stored in our minds—it lives in our bodies. When children experience the physical trauma of illness, hospitalization, or medical procedures, their bodies remember. Somatic therapy helps release this stored tension through gentle body-awareness techniques, breathwork, and movement.
How It Can Help:
- Physical symptoms that linger after medical trauma (muscle tension, digestive issues, sleep difficulties)
- Feeling disconnected from their body after invasive procedures
- Anxiety that shows up physically (racing heart, stomachaches, trembling)
- Difficulty feeling safe in their own body again
What to Expect:
Sessions may include rhythm exercises, gentle movement, and learning to notice body sensations without fear. Therapists work at the child’s pace to help them feel in control of their body again.
Play Therapy
Healing Through the Language of Childhood
Play is a child’s natural language. When words aren’t enough to express what they’ve been through, play therapy gives children a safe space to process their experiences through toys, art, sand trays, and imaginative play. A trained play therapist can help children work through fears, anger, and sadness in a way that feels natural to them.
How It Can Help:
- Children who struggle to verbalize their feelings about their illness or hospitalization
- Behavioral changes after medical trauma (regression, aggression, withdrawal)
- Nightmares and fears related to medical experiences
- Rebuilding a sense of safety, trust, and control
What to Expect:
The playroom becomes a safe world where children lead the way. Through dolls, art supplies, medical play kits, and other tools, children can express and process what they’ve experienced at their own pace.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Healing Through Connection with Horses
Equine-assisted therapy brings children together with horses in a therapeutic setting. Horses are incredibly intuitive animals that respond to human emotions, providing immediate, honest feedback. Caring for and interacting with horses helps children rebuild trust, develop emotional regulation skills, and experience success outside of a medical environment.
How It Can Help:
- Rebuilding confidence after feeling powerless during illness
- Learning to trust again—horses require trust, and they give it back
- Developing healthy coping skills and emotional awareness
- Creating positive experiences and memories beyond medical settings
What to Expect:
Sessions take place at a barn or stable and may include grooming, feeding, and other activities with a horse partner. It’s about the relationship and what it teaches about communication, boundaries, and emotions.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR helps the brain process traumatic memories that have gotten “stuck.” During EMDR, a therapist guides the child through recalling distressing experiences while following a specific pattern of eye movements or other bilateral stimulation (like tapping). This helps the brain reprocess the memory so it becomes less overwhelming.
How It Can Help:
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories of medical procedures or hospital stays
- Strong emotional reactions triggered by medical settings, sounds, or smells
- Nightmares related to their illness or treatment
- Feeling like the trauma is happening all over again
What to Expect:
EMDR follows a structured approach. After building safety and coping skills, the therapist helps the child process specific memories. Many children (and adults) experience significant relief in fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy.
ART Therapy
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
ART is a newer, evidence-based therapy that combines elements of several proven approaches. Like EMDR, it uses eye movements, but it also incorporates visualization techniques that allow children to “rewrite” how traumatic memories are stored—keeping the facts but changing the disturbing images and sensations.
How It Can Help:
- Distressing images from medical experiences that replay in their mind
- Physical sensations tied to traumatic memories
- Anxiety and hypervigilance after medical trauma
- Processing multiple traumatic events from extended illness or treatment
What to Expect:
ART sessions are typically brief (1-5 sessions for a single trauma). Children don’t have to describe their trauma in detail—they can process it through visualization while the therapist guides them with eye movements.
Craniosacral Therapy
Gentle Touch for Deep Healing
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach that works with the body’s central nervous system. Using very light touch, a trained practitioner helps release restrictions in the soft tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord. For children who have experienced physical trauma from illness, this gentle approach can help their nervous system reset and relax.
How It Can Help:
- Chronic tension, headaches, or physical discomfort after illness
- A nervous system stuck in “fight or flight” mode
- Difficulty relaxing or feeling calm in their body
- Recovery from the physical stress of medical treatment
What to Expect:
Sessions are deeply relaxing. The child lies fully clothed while the practitioner uses gentle touch (about the weight of a nickel) on the head, spine, and sacrum. Many children fall asleep during sessions—and that’s perfectly okay.
Finding the Right Therapist
When searching for a therapist, look for practitioners who have experience with medical trauma and working with children. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about their training, approach, and experience with pediatric patients.
Many families find that a combination of approaches works best. Your child’s pediatrician, a hospital social worker, or a local mental health center can help you find qualified therapists in your area.
Remember: Seeking help is a sign of strength. Healing takes time, and there is hope.
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