Hello, brave buddy! 😊

If you’ve ever been really sick, had a transplant, or spent a lot of time in hospital, you might feel like things are different now. Maybe your body has changed. Maybe you missed school or birthday parties. Maybe your friends don’t know what to say. And maybe—just maybe—you feel a little left out.

Guess what?

You’re not alone.

And even more important: You are still YOU.

This blog is for every kid who has felt worried, shy, or unsure about friendships after being sick. Let’s bust some myths and build some confidence, together!

🔍 Step 1: Become a Thought Detective

Sometimes our brains send us tricky thoughts like:

• "What if my friends don’t want to play with me anymore?"

• "What if they think I’m too different now?"

• "What if they forgot about me?"

But just because a thought pops up doesn’t mean it’s true.

Ask yourself:

✅ Is there proof?

✅ What would I tell a friend who felt this way?

✅ Could my brain just be trying to protect me from feeling hurt?

Remember: Thoughts aren't facts. They're just feelings in disguise!

🧠 Step 2: Look for Tiny Clues of Friendship

Even if friends don’t say it with words, they often show they care in other ways:

• Smiling when they see you

• Sending you a message or drawing

• Asking a teacher how you're doing

These tiny clues are HUGE acts of kindness. If you're not sure how your friends feel, it's okay to ask! Try something like:

"Hey, I missed you. Want to hang out again sometime?"

🫳 Step 3: Build a Bridge Back

Being away from your friends doesn’t mean you’ve lost them. Sometimes, they just need help knowing how to reconnect. Here are some ideas:

• Invite them to play a simple game

• Share a story about your hospital adventure (if you want to)

• Make a friendship bracelet or picture for them

• Ask them about their week

Being open is brave. And it shows your friends how to be brave too.

🌟 Step 4: You Belong. Always.

Being sick or getting a transplant might change how you feel inside. That’s okay. But it doesn’t change your heart, your laugh, or the amazing things that make you you.

You’re not weird. You’re not broken. You’re just growing.

And you’re part of a community of super-brave kids who know how to face tough things and still share love, fun, and kindness.

💕 Want a Fun Activity to Help?

Download our Kindness & Confidence Kit here. It includes:

• Friendship journal prompts

• A Thought Detective worksheet

• A "Kindness Jar" craft

• Brave Bunny Breathing

Because a little support can go a long way.

Kindness & Confidence Kit.pdf

Download PDF • 6.57MB

🙏 A Note for Parents and Teachers

If you're an adult reading this, thank you for helping kids rebuild confidence after illness. Friendship worries are common for young transplant recipients and children with chronic illness.

You can support by:

• Encouraging inclusive play and language

• Helping kids express their stories in their own words

• Gently guiding reconnection with peers

Let’s help kids see they are not their illness — they are their dreams, their kindness, and their courage.

🚀 Remember: You belong here. Always have. Always will.

To meet other amazing kids and learn more about organ and tissue donation, visit donatebuddies.com.au

#FriendshipConfidence #DonateBuddies #BeBraveBeYou #KindnessClub #StillYou