The Wild Life of Using your Passions with Erin Tukua

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Erin Tukua, about utilizing her previous job experience as a professional photographer to elevate her techniques she uses with patients and families in the child life profession. 

Inside this creative episode, we spotlight Erin's innovative practice of using photography as an intervention to help families navigate their child's hospital stay. She opens up about her experiences during her practicum and internship, and how she uses her camera lens to capture moments of joy and coping, essentially turning the hospital into a canvas brimming with resilience and hope. From celebrating milestones to providing a sense of normalcy for bereaved families, Erin's photography intervention is creating a positive impact throughout the hospital.

Erin also shares how she uses her photography to meet the developmental needs of babies in the NICU, masterfully integrating the art of photography into meeting medical and psychological needs. Her struggle against imposter syndrome, her strategies to extend her unique skills across the hospital, and her advice for others looking to incorporate their passion into their practice, all make for an intriguing conversation. So, tune in to get inspired by Erin's journey that is not only about nurturing young lives but also about embracing one's passions in the most challenging environments.

You can follow Erin on Instagram as @erintukua.

Track: Odessa — LiQWYD & Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/jNy-Dp3lgcgFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/odessa

Chapters

• 0:00 Incorporating Passions Into Child Life Profession
• 4:18 Photography Skills in Child Life Practice
• 11:58 Photography Program in the Hospital
• 20:43 Incorporating Passion Into Child Life Practice
• 28:12 Wild Journey Into Child Life