The day children ran the hospital

If children ran hospitals, there would plenty of treats—lemonade, snow balls, apples, oranges, bananas, popcorn and Honey Nut Cheerios. There’d be bicycle rides to test coordination and toy koalas when children got a shot. And, of course, those shots would be free.

The eye doctor would be fun and make children look at houses when they got their eyes examined. They’d wear funny glasses to find animals in pictures and watch little red balls or koalas touch your nose. Children would go through inflatable obstacle courses to get to the treats and the hospital would be a fun place.

At Lakeview Regional Medical Center on Saturday, all this and more made the hospital a kid-friendly place. There was a petting zoo with a giant tortoise, goats, chickens, piglets, and bunnies, all needing love and petting from small hands. Upon leaving the petting zoo, children received antibacterial gel for their hands.

The Louisiana State Police received a grant and each station got 1,000 bicycle helmets to distribute to children to promote bicycle and scooter safety and help reduce injuries, said TFC Louis Catalano, spokesman for Troop L.. Children and their parents were lined up for the free helmets and Catalano said they hoped to give them all away Saurday.

Children received vision and hearing screenings, free immunizations, and tips on healthy eating and snacks.

Parents received information on backpack safety. Childen were weighed so the parents could determine the maximum amount backpacks should weigh. This is 15 percent of body weight, said Katherine Gristina, hospital representative. If a child weighs 100 pounds, the most their backpack should weigh, full of books, is 15 pounds. More than this could strain a child’s back, neck or shoulders and lead to injuries. Other backpack tips include using both shoulders and how to properly pack a backpack, heaviest items closest to the body. The backpack should never be carried on only one shoulder, no matter how “cool” it may be to do so, said Gristina.

Other health information at the fair included organ donations, sunscreens and healthy snacks. There was even a proper hand washing demonstration for adults and children. Hospital spokesmen suggest singing the “Happy Birthday Song” when washing hands. Most people do not was their hands long enough.

Deputy Morse from the Crime Scene Investigation unit of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office demonstrated blood detection chemicals at the fair. To see the blood, it is sprayed with a chemical and one looks through special wraparound glasses, just like in the TV series “CSI.” This was a popular spot for both parents and children.

Bippo the Hippo and the First Castle Credit Union Dragon were also on hand to greet children and their parents. Free balloons and other giveaways, including coloring books, bags with school supplies and even miniature soccer stress balls were all part of the fun and education at the hospital.