Bailey Pfost

Bailey Pfost is a nine year old student at Milton Elementary in Milton, West Virginia. Before age 9, she was known for her outgoing and caring nature and would break out in song and dance any chance she could. However, soon after turning 9 she suddenly became consumed with fear and was often unable to leave her home and quit finding happiness in singing and dancing. Overwhelmed with sadness and anxiety she told her mom that she felt like something was wrong with her. She says it was hard to admit to an adult that she didn’t feel normal anymore but she knew she had to tell someone. Her mom took her to a therapist and she found it really helped to have someone to talk to that understood her fears.

The therapist told her that she had O.C.D. and at first that really hurt Bailey’s feelings because the “D” meant disorder and she didn’t like being labeled as having a disorder. Besides, she had seen people on TV. with O.C.D. and they were always made fun of because they acted silly or always had to have things in a certain order and Bailey didn’t feel like that matched her. But, the therapist explained that O.C.D. can affect people in many different ways and it didn’t mean that there was something wrong with her it just meant that her brain worked a little different.

Soon Bailey began to feel better. The therapist had taught her how to calm her fears and how to not concentrate on her compulsions. One of the lessons she learned is that she could calm her anxiety by drawing and painting and keeping her hands occupied. She also learned that her cat Madison could calm her down by purring and rubbing up against her when she was scared so she took extra care to make sure she kept Madison happy and loved.

When Bailey learned about the Tri-state Artisan art project she begged her mom if she could join it. She liked that it was for sick kids and she knew what it was like to be sick and scared. She wanted her train to be a reminder to other kids that being sick doesn’t have to be scary. That if the kids talk openly with their parents and doctors that the adults can help the kids stay calm. And, more importantly, sick kids should never feel alone because all kids go through rough and scary times. So, that means there are always other scared kids out there that can help! Kids just have to learn to reach out to adults and other kids and not be afraid to ask for help. 
Bailey has a Facebook page called "Bailey Draws".  https://www.facebook.com/Baileydraws?fref=ts