Empowering Through Preparation: How Child Life Services and a Prepare Patch Helped One Girl Overcome Needle Phobia
At Colorful Hearts, our child life private practice, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported—especially in medical settings that can feel overwhelming. Our work centers on helping children build coping skills, confidence, and trust in their care experiences.
One of the most powerful stories we’ve witnessed recently involved a 9-year-old girl named Maddie, who had been struggling with needle phobia for years. As child life specialists, we value having a variety of tools available—because every child benefits from different interventions. We were thrilled to learn about Thimble, and even more excited when we saw the positive outcome it had on a child we had been working with.
Helping restore a child’s sense of control and build confidence, while reducing traumatic experiences, is always at the forefront of our work. We’re so glad to have a product like Thimble available to support other kids in the future—helping alleviate anxiety and create more positive outcomes.
A Long Road of Fear and Frustration
Maddie had a long history of intense anxiety around needles. Every poke—whether for a vaccine, blood draw, or IV—was a traumatic event. She often had to be held down, and the emotional toll was heavy on both her and her family.
When Maddie came to Colorful Hearts, she was hopeful. She had a goal: to get her ears pierced this summer. But the deal with her parents was that she had to get her vaccines first. We knew that with the right support, she could reclaim her confidence—and her summer plans.
The Child Life Approach: Building a Personalized Coping Plan
We began with what we do best: listening. We asked Maddie what scared her most, what helped her feel safe, and what she wished could be different. From there, we co-created a coping plan tailored just for her.
Her plan included:
Distraction techniques, like playing a favorite game on her iPad and not watching the nurse prepare the poke
Pain management strategies, including the use of the Thimble Prepare Patch
Rehearsal and role play, where she practiced each step of the procedure using alcohol swabs (a known trigger for her) and toothpicks to simulate the feeling of a “pinch,” helping her feel confident and prepared
This wasn’t just about getting through one poke—it was about rebuilding trust in her body and in the people caring for her.
Our Supportive Tool: Thimble
When we introduced the Thimble Prepare Patch, we framed it as a “helper patch”—something that could take away the sting and give her more control. Maddie was curious and open to trying it.
Her mom met her at school and applied the patch about 60 minutes before her scheduled poke. Then Stephanie, one of our child life specialists, met Maddie at the pediatrician’s office to provide real-time support and advocate for her coping plan.
When the moment came, Maddie held her mom’s hand, focused on her game, and took a deep breath.
The needle went in.
She blinked.
And then she said, “I didn’t feel anything!”
More Than Just Pain Relief
That moment was a turning point—not just because the patch worked, but because Maddie did it. The patch, combined with child life preparation, helped her feel safe enough to try again.
Afterward, she smiled and said, “I think I can do it next time too.”
Her parents were emotional. For the first time in years, a needle didn’t end in tears or trauma. It ended in pride.
Now, on to summer vacation—and those earrings she’s been dreaming about!
Why Child Life Matters
Maddie’s story is a powerful reminder that child life is essential, and involving kids in their medical care is vital. Our role is to create space for children to understand, prepare, and participate in their care. Tools like the Thimble Prepare Patch are valuable—and they work even better when used within a child-centered, emotionally supportive framework.
At Colorful Hearts, we believe child life services should extend beyond hospital walls, offering families the tools and support they need to navigate medical challenges at every stage. Every child and family is unique, and our personalized guidance empowers parents to confidently support their children with care, compassion, and strength. Want to learn more? Visit our website to explore our work and book your free initial consult today: ColorfulHeartsLLC.