Addresses the needs of parents of children who experience medical trauma - negative experiences in the healthcare system that may cause resistance among children to even going for routine care. Afraid of the Doctor is the first book written for parents with the primary goal of equipping them with the knowledge and skills to support their children through medical challenges on a day-to-day basis, and specifically with medical trauma-experiences in healthcare that can profoundly affect a child's response and willingness to even go to the doctor. The challenge of medical trauma is often under-recognized and overlooked in the healthcare system, leaving parents to learn about it and manage it on their own. When parents understand medical trauma and learn strategies to reduce and even prevent it, they become empowered to better care for their child's emotional and physical health. Afraid of the Doctor integrates character stories throughout the book to illustrate the signs and symptoms of medical trauma and the roles parents and caregivers play in supporting their child through medical challenges. Readers will find twelve distinct strategies they can implement to help prevent and reduce medical trauma and otherwise support their child while facing medical interventions or a chronic condition. These strategies are illustrated through anecdotes, step-by-step guides, examples, and research evidence. With compassion and empathy, Meghan Marsac and Melissa Hogan offer parents the tools they need to choose the strategies that will work best for their children and their families, and how to modify them to address their unique situations. In addition to addressing the traumas that children may face, the authors carefully discuss the types of trauma that a parent may experience as they care for a child with a medical condition, equipping them with tools to recognize and address their own trauma experience related to their child's medical care.

Studies have indicated that 75% of what an audience learns and remembers is a result of what they see, while 13% comes from what they hear. Drama puts both together and prepares the audience with a vivid sermon illustration that kindles its anticipation of the pastor's sermon. The majority of these minidramas run 3-5 minutes in length. Each introduces the theme of the Gospel lesson in the Cycle B lectionary. Written with wit, wisdom, and humor, they help to plant the scriptural message in an unforgettable, poignant, contemporary application.

Studies have indicated that 75% of what an audience learns and remembers is a result of what they see, while 13% comes from what they hear. Drama puts both together and prepares the audience with a vivid sermon illustration that kindles their anticipation of the pastor's sermon.
The majority of these mini-dramas run 3-5 minutes in length, with a few as long as 7 to 10 minutes. Each introduces the theme of the gospel lesson in the Cycle A lectionary.
Written with wit, wisdom, and humor, they help to plant the scriptural message in an unforgettable, poignant, contemporary application.
- Requires minimal preparation
- Few props are needed
- 2-4 characters are involved in each sketch
"Your wonderful drama left us all hungering for more. I assure you that the Lord is truly working through you."
Bill Broaddus
Brunswick United Methodist Church
Brunswick, Ohio
"Through your gifts of drama you achieved a perfect blend of humor, pathos, conviction, and joy to present the gospel in a living and powerful way."
Richard B. Linder Jr., Rector
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
Brecksville, Ohio
Robert F. Crowley is an actor, director, playwright, theater critic, poet, and teacher. He is the co-founder (with his wife Suanne) of Fisherpeople Drama Ministry, a drama troupe that tours the Eastern half of the U.S. and Canada. Crowley is director of Christian Arts, Visual Arts, Dance, and Writers at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Akron, Ohio. He is also playwright and advisor for L.I.O.N. Players and Joshua Force. Crowley received his M.A. degree in Theater from the University of Akron and his M.Div. degree in Biblical Studies from Ashland Theological Seminary.