Teachers, Nurses Gather In Hingham To Help Children Cope With Cancer

A group of over 50 teachers, nurses, counselors, and administrators were asked if they had been touched by cancer.  Everyone in attendance raised a  hand.

The group gathered at Linden Ponds in Hingham on Wednesday at a Professional Enrichment Workshop  hosted by South Shore Hospital with the purpose of teaching various ways to help children and families dealing with cancer. 

Kim Noble, a Program Coordinator for the Youth Health Connection at the South Shore Hospital advised teachers to adjust homework for cancer affected students. She also recommended they keep students with cancer included by building a relationship with the hospitals and skyping them into class.

Tim Cullings, a licensed social worker who is s Program Director for the Cancer Support Community on the South Shore explained the side effects of chemotherapy explaining that some patients have trouble keeping their balance while others suffer from chemo-brain, a common term used by cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems that can occur after cancer treatment.

“I think it’s a really important group to present to,” said Cullings. “The work they do with kids is really important and when there is a diagnosis of cancer that comes into the family, for teachers and guidance counselors and nurses to be able to have some education to help them deal with that stuff is helpful.”

Cullings hopes those in attendance will share the information they learned in their field and would like to see more people attend the next lecture organized by the South Shore Hospital.

Dr. Barbara Green, a licensed Psychologist at the South Shore Hospital said the workshop reached communities from across the state and  Julie Kembel, Friends of South Shore Hospital board member said guests found the presentation to be practical and informative.

“It’s remarkable to see the power  that comes together from connection and collaboration,” Green said.  “The genesis of this was a couple of people and grew to this and I can ensure you that this conference will repeat.”