PURIM AT ALYN HOSPITAL

Purim at ALYN this year was definitely fun, with the traditional Purim "Parade" of children in their costumes still taking place, albeit corona-style: rather than one large group of children and adults parading throughout the hospital, there were several small groups that paraded in specific locations, and surgical masks were worn in place of Purim masks.

ALYN’s occupational therapists used the occasion for adding the making of hamantaschen to the list of Cooking Therapy activities, which both challenged the children who needed to sift, mix and knead the dough, and also delighted them when they saw the cookies coming out of the oven!

Having close to "normal" Purim celebrations at ALYN certainly lifted the spirits of the children and their families (and the staff!), and was this year, as every year, an important part of the process of ensuring that the children at ALYN have the opportunity to experience all of the "normal" activities of childhood while they are hospitalized, in preparation for their return to their homes and educational frameworks.