Dr Judith Meehan speaks about Helium Arts
Dr Judith Meehan is a Consultant Paediatrician, Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin, and Dean of the Faculty of Paediatrics at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. A graduate of the University of Galway, she completed her specialist training in paediatrics and neonatology in Ireland and Australia. She holds an MD from Trinity College for her research on growth hormone treatment in children with Prader-Willi Syndrome.
Dr Meehan has extensive experience in clinical care, research, and medical education, and has held several leadership roles within the Faculty of Paediatrics. She is deeply committed to fostering excellence in education, training, and health care for children.
We were thrilled to have Dr Judith Meehan join us as a guest speaker at the Helium Arts launch in Dublin on Tuesday, 11 June 2024. You can read her full speech below.
“If we neglect the health of the child, we cannot have healthy men and women.”
Langford Symes.
One in ten 9-year-olds (12%) have a chronic illness or disability. Nearly half of these children suffer from a respiratory condition while a further 19% have a mental health or behavioural problem. Chronic illness or disability is slightly more heavily concentrated among children from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Chronic illness permanently changes the way a child or young person lives and require constant adaptation for these young people and their families. Children with chronic illnesses often navigate a more unpredictable world filled with medical appointments, treatments, and limitations. The impact of chronic illness on personality and psychological well-being is significant. Their strength and resilience in the face of such adversities is often amazing to us all.
Today, we are here to celebrate a programme that will provide them with an invaluable outlet for self-expression, creativity, and emotional healing. A safe space – to unite children and young people through creativity, and encourages respect and understanding.
Illness can take away a child’s normality and confidence; we know that children find illness to be isolating, that it can make them feel alone and uncertain. This is especially true for children who come from diverse backgrounds, they may be recently arrived in Ireland and might not speak English as a first language or even at all. The arts take away a lot of those alienating factors; almost all children at the hospital can draw or paint to create something special.
As doctors we are very good at the medical model of care and in more recent times with our multidisciplinary colleagues-we are more conscious of the importance of holistic models of care-non clinical prescription.
“The purpose of Art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”
Pablo Picasso
Art, in all its forms, has the extraordinary power to heal, to transform, and to connect. Whether through painting, music, dance, or theatre, creative arts offer a means of communication beyond words. They allow children to express their innermost feelings, dreams, and fears, providing a sense of freedom and control in an otherwise challenging reality.
Creative Arts Programmes are not just about teaching skills or creating beautiful pieces of art. They are about fostering a sense of community, where children can come together, share their experiences, and find solace in knowing they are not alone. These programs are about nurturing the whole child, addressing their emotional, psychological, and social needs, and empowering them to find their voice and their joy.
I would like to take a moment to congratulate everyone who has made this initiative possible. To the artists and volunteers, whose time and talents will touch the lives of so many. And to the families, for trusting us all to be a part of their children’s journeys.
“Together, you will paint a brighter, more hopeful future.” with Chronic illness.