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Sick kids feel better by going online
March 24, 1997
Web posted at: 10:49 p.m. EST (0349 GMT)From Bureau Chief Greg Lefevre
SAN FRANCISCO (CNN) -- For Trevor Easterbrook, fighting cancer is tough enough. The isolation forced by his bone marrow transplant made it even tougher.
Then came Convomania, a program in which sick children chat with others on the Internet. Trevor likes it a lot.
"You can talk to other kids all across the country that have had your illness and stuff," Trevor says.
Twice a day, young patients at nine pilot sites across the United States link up by computer in their own electronic chat room, swapping stories and messages mixed with solace and support.
"They've had nausea and stuff, too. They can see how you're feeling," Trevor says.
At Apple Computer, Peter Green helped set up the program called Convomania as part of Apple's Worldwide Disability Solutions Group. Green said the kid-to-kid contact is effective for the young patients, who get tired of dealing only with adults all day long.
"The most credible person for a kid is another kid who's been through something they've been through," Green said.
Trevor's mother Carol says participating in Convomania has transformed her son from a silent, lonely patient to the gregarious boy she reared.
"Actually, I think it's what brought Trevor out of his room," she said. "Trevor was in isolation essentially for six months after a bone-marrow transplant."
Taking a page from AIDS patients, sick children are using the Internet to connect with doctors, nurses and with each other for advice, comfort and distraction from their painful daily lives.
Another such program is Starbright, sponsored by the Starbright Foundation. It's a virtual playground of games, chat rooms and video phone connections for sick and disabled children. The site is backed by director Steven Spielberg and operates in seven U.S. hospitals.
Dr. Bruce Baker is a UCLA Psychologist studying Internet chatting among ill youngsters, and he believes the psychological improvement may translate into medical improvement.
"If you believe all the literature that shows that people that have a more positive outlook and have a better psychological shape do better in the recuperative process -- and I think I believe that -- there is no doubt that participating in a program like this helps kids have a more positive outlook and more self-esteem," Baker said.
Leukemia patient Steven Burghuis was brave when he talked about his chats, even though he was just an hour away from more medical procedures. He even has his own Web site.
What's it tell people? "It says Steven is 10 years old from Rescue, California, going into his eighth year of fighting leukemia," he said.
Steven's Web page has some advice for other patients. He tells readers what cancer cannot do. "It cannot conquer the spirit."
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
- Apple Computer Disability Programs
- Youth Central - from Apple
- Convomania - from Apple
- Starbright Pediatric Network
- Bearable Times. A young girl writes of her experiences
- National Childhood Cancer Foundation
- Child Cancer Worldwide
- Kidlink
- Steven's Place - A Kid with Cancer
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
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