From Nurse to Mom: A Journey Through CHOC
Magic Tricks in Seacrest Studios
As a nurse at CHOC for over five years, one mom regularly passes by Seacrest Studios—familiar with the name, but unaware of the true depth of its impact. That all changed when her 10-year-old son, Arek, was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital following unusual findings during a routine neurology appointment.
While navigating an unfamiliar and often overwhelming medical journey, Arek found solace in an unexpected place: Seacrest Studios.
“The studio was Arek’s safe space, full of all the things he loves – instruments, video games, and cool people to talk to,” his mom shared. There, he met Josh and Luke, who introduced him to a world of music, magic, and creativity that made the hospital feel a little less like a hospital.
“Hearing him say, ‘It feels so good to play an instrument again,’ made my mama heart melt,” she added. Arek learned magic tricks, played the drums, and even had the opportunity to go live on-air — an experience that not only distracted him from the stress of medical tests but gave him a renewed sense of confidence and joy.
“Every minute spent in Seacrest Studios helped make all the waiting and unknown of the hospital manageable, not just for Arek, but for my husband and me as well. We couldn’t have asked for a better CHOC experience… Now I know how truly special our Child Life team is, and how invaluable Seacrest Studios is at fostering an environment of play and protecting childhood.”
When it came time to leave, Arek wasn’t just walking away with memories—he was walking away with inspiration. He told his parents he hopes to one day become a Child Life Specialist and work alongside Josh and Luke in Seacrest Studios, the place that reminded him it’s okay to just be a kid.