front cover of Courage...Chronicled in the Sand
Courage...Chronicled in the Sand
Sand Tray Therapy Reflections from Teenagers and Young Adults Facing Cancer and Blood Disorders
Jennifer Gretzema
Michigan Publishing Services, 2017
It is often difficult for young people facing an illness to verbalize their personal thoughts and feelings.  In the Child and Family Life department, at The University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, sand tray therapy is used to help this vulnerable population communicate with their healthcare team, families, and loved ones. Sand tray therapy is a window into the thoughts, feelings, and coping styles of youth struggling with life-altering illnesses and hospitalizations. It helps them process their past and present medical experiences, set goals, and teach others about their needs.
 
The sand trays and stories in this book were created by patients and families living with Cancer and Blood Disorders. Their expressions, created in the sand and conveyed through the written word, provide insight into their world. Sand tray therapy provides a sacred space to process experiences using symbols instead of language.
 
This collection of photos and personal stories was compiled so that other patients, their families, and their friends can share the authors’ journeys.
 
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front cover of Stories from the Sandbox
Stories from the Sandbox
Reflections from children, teens and young adults living with Cancer and Blood Disorders
Jennifer Gretzema
Michigan Publishing Services, 2015
The images and stories in this book were created by patients and families living with Cancer and Blood Disorders. Their expressions, created in the sand and conveyed through the written word, provide insight into what it is like to live with health challenges. Sand tray therapy is a recognized therapeutic modality used with children and adults, providing a sacred space to process experiences using symbols instead of language. Sometimes meaning is further revealed through talking about a sand tray. Other times, it can remain a private expression that holds significance only to its creator. It is a helpful way for youth to process their past and present medical experience, help them set goals, and to teach others about their needs. Sand tray is a window into the thoughts, feelings, and coping styles of youth struggling with illness and hospitalization. Importantly, as youth with chronic medical illnesses often experience pain and discomfort as part of their treatment, the ability to have positive tactile experiences can be a very healing process. This collection of photos and personal stories, facilitated by the Child and Family Life Department, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan, was compiled so that other patients, their families, and their friends can share the authors’ journeys as we all continue to battle these difficult diseases.
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