Reflections of Life

Partnered with Parents

Home » Reflections of Life » July-2021 » Partnered with Parents

Website image - Girl with bear-new

When a mother says to you, “I want every person to see my child as a miracle and not a disability.” We listen. St. Francis commits to being that champion for every child and their particular needs. When illness or injury creates life-limiting situations our goal is to provide the best life possible for each patient. We also align with their loved ones so they are assured that we will always consider and see their child as an exceptional gift in the world.

Our pediatric palliative program is specialized medical care for children with serious illness. Every day we focus on providing children with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness, whatever the diagnosis. We endeavor to improve quality of life for both the child and the family. Team Francis includes doctors, nurses and other specialists who work with a patient’s primary health care team providing support and various services for the child and for the child’s family. Children are cared for at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided together with curative treatments​ such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, hospitalization.

Who We Treat

We treat a wide range of conditions, including:
♥ Cancer
♥ Genetic disorders
♥ Premature birth
♥ Heart and lung conditions
♥ Neurological disorders

If your child’s condition is not listed, please contact us to learn how we can help. Click Here

Our Services

Our team provides a variety of support services, including:

Easing pain and other symptoms. We improve the patient’s and family’s quality of life by easing the child’s pain and managing symptoms.
Establishing goals of care. We work closely with the family and the child’s health care providers to establish treatment goals and clarify priorities of care.
Health care decision making. Our team explains complicated terms, discusses care options with the family and helps them make decisions based on their values, traditions and preferences.
Emotional support. We provide emotional, social and spiritual support to help patients and families carry on with everyday life.
Communicating with providers to coordinate care. We provide communication among the patient, family and health care team to give families the information and guidance needed to make the best health care decisions for their child. We also promote continuity of care between services and multiple admissions.
Sibling support. We understand that when one family member is hospitalized, the entire family is affected. Our team helps siblings understand their brother’s or sister’s diagnosis or medical care. We also help support continued bonds and normal family experiences during extended separations and disruption to family routines caused by hospitalization.
Integrating community resources. We work with community resources to link hospital programs with community-based home care.

 Reflections of Life Articles: Summer 2023

DASH to Celebrate Veterans Day 2023

What could be better than enjoying sunshine and fresh air with your family and friends in a beautiful park while honoring local Veterans? At 7:30 am on November 11, 2023, The DASH in Life 5K will kick-off a full day of Veterans Day activities at Brevard Veterans Memorial Park. This idyllic course is flat, scenic, …

DASH to Celebrate Veterans Day 2023 Read More »

Life Changing Gift of Dignity

Meet Brodie and Beau, brothers who both live with a disease that deteriorates their muscles to the point that they are unable to hold themselves up in a chair. Although their minds are active and their attitudes are bright, they are physically challenged and unable vocalize their needs. Their devoted mother, Melanie Armistead, relies heavily …

Life Changing Gift of Dignity Read More »

Serving Brevard for 45 years

What began as a dream of helping neighbors almost fifty years ago is turning 45 this year. Emilie Sasko was a nurse, volunteer, mother of 12 and a dreamer. She had a dream that she was being called to create a hospice, and supported by her deep faith, family and friends, founded the second hospice …

Serving Brevard for 45 years Read More »

When Angels Get Their WINGS

Wonderful. Inspiring. Notable. Gracious. Service. These words are frequently used to describe our staff at St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care. We treasure these words in our hearts. Another phrase that we often hear from patients and families is, “You are our Angels.” “You are our Angels” inspired the WINGS Recognition Program. WINGS was created to …

When Angels Get Their WINGS Read More »

Memorial Day to Remember

By: Chandler Langevin, Veteran Services Coordinator Memorial Day is a very sacred time for staff and volunteers at St. Francis Reflections. As part of our ongoing commitment to Veterans, we traveled throughout Brevard County to render honors to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Here are some of my highlights from the …

Memorial Day to Remember Read More »

We LOVE our Volunteers

Our volunteers are a diverse array of caring individuals including working professionals, retirees, stay-at-home parents, students, and people who are exploring new careers and building new skill sets. Those who are interested in volunteering must be dependable, friendly and compassionate. It is not necessary to have medical or hospice experience. Each volunteer is asked to …

We LOVE our Volunteers Read More »

The Staircase

Michael Brian Horton May 30, 2016 Last night I had myself a dreamI still can see it nowA staircase stood before meSpiraling up into the cloudsIts wood was worn and weatheredBut had stood the tests of timeAnd I came upon a young man thereAs I began to climbHis uniform colonialHis tri cornered hat pulled downHe …

The Staircase Read More »

Scroll to Top