Jordan Lambropoulos: then and now
When Jordan Lambropoulos walks into the Women’s and Children’s Hospital on her midwifery placement it is an exciting milestone to mark the completion of her first year of university.
However, this isn’t the only milestone Jordan has experienced in the Hospital.
Not only was she born there in 1998, but she also celebrated her 16th and 18th birthdays in the Hospital.
At age nine, Jordan was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and spent most of her childhood and teenage years in and out of the Hospital.
At age nine, Jordan was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and spent most of her childhood and teenage years in and out of the Hospital.
“I would be at the Hospital for a few weeks then I would go home for a month, but I would have regular flare ups. I never achieved a remission longer than three months,” Jordan, who is now 21, said.
Jordan said her optimism was improved by spending time with the Play Therapists.
“When I first started being admitted to the Hospital there was only one Play Therapist but over the years more were employed. Having them come to you and do arts and crafts improved my time in the Hospital. I felt the Play Therapists worked with you on a personal level and having those activities and someone to talk to distracted me from the fact I was in the Hospital and in pain,” she said.
Jordan also has a close connection to the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation, participating in work experience at the Foundation and being involved in the Easter appeals in 2016 and 2017.
Her altruistic side also shined through when she created and implemented the ‘Chronically Beautiful Campaign’ into the Hospital for a period, with the help of the Foundation’s Arts in Health team.
“The Chronically Beautiful Campaign saw make-up artists and hairdressers give mini make-overs, which included painting nails and styling hair, to the patients,” Jordan said.
“I know personally when I was in Hospital I had quite low self-esteem and I think other adolescents would feel the same. Something so simple like having your hair brushed or your nails painted is something that increases your self-esteem and is also good for pain distraction.”
Jordan’s first placement for midwifery is at the WCH.
Jordan’s wish to continue providing care to others is evident in her pursuit of a career in health.
“I have just finished my first year of midwifery. I think the process of pregnancy is incredible and since starting midwifery it is the best thing I have done.
“When I was younger, I always wanted to be a doctor, to help people like me, but when I finished school I didn’t have the passion for it. Going through uni now I have decided I do want to study medicine, so I am going to finish midwifery and work as a midwife and study medicine part-time.”