Torrance, California-based TrinityKids Care, the only dedicated pediatric hospice program supporting Los Angeles and Orange counties, is using virtual reality (VR) to give chronic and terminally ill children the chance to experience a journey through space. Kevin Flores, a TrinityKids patient with cystic fibrosis, had his experience documented in the short film Child of the Earth, wherein he had the chance to visit the International Space Station (ISS).
“When I go in [VR], I just forget about what I have,” said Flores, “When you’re up there [in space], you feel normal.”
The short film chronicles Flores’ trials with cystic fibrosis and the process of developing the VR experience. With the film, TrinityKids hopes that they can spread Flores’ story and the use of VR to help other patients struggling with chronic and terminal illnesses.
“This film was the result of generous donations from the LA film and tech communities, individual heroes from NASA, and a dedicated hospice team,” said Dr. Glen Komatsu, chief medical officer at TrinityKids. “We are humbled that children such as Kevin can experience such wonderment through the caring of others.”
