Dartmouth Health Children’s opened a new a playground this summer for patients receiving treatment at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (CHaD). Paid for with fundraising efforts by a “CHaD Kid,” this will be a space where kids can have fun and just be kids, even in what may be a scary time for them and their families.

BJ Perry, Carrie Perry (Elliot’s parents), Jessica LaPerle, Elliot Perry, and Dr. Keith Loud cutting the ribbon for the playground.

The Elliot Perry Foundation was founded by the Perry family of Bedford, New Hampshire. When their son, Elliot, was born three months premature at CHaD, weighing only one pound and nine ounces, his chance of survival was just 18%, and he required extensive medical care. Now 14, Elliot, who has undergone over 70 surgeries and procedures, has raised over $400,000 through his foundation, which also funded another playground at the Dartmouth Health Children’s clinic in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Keith Loud, MD, MSc, physician-in-chief of Dartmouth Health Children’s, thanked the Perrys at the playground’s ribbon-cutting ceremony in July for their ongoing commitment and generosity that have benefited countless other kids and families.

Carrie Perry (Elliot’s mom), Elliot Perry, and former CHaD community relations director Sharon Brown.

“At Dartmouth Health Children’s, we care for children during some of the most joyful moments in life, and some of the most difficult,” said Loud. “We know that healing isn’t limited to what happens in an exam room or hospital bed. Sometimes healing looks like a child laughing with a sibling, making art or music, or simply having the chance to feel like a kid again. This playground is a welcoming space where children and families can take a break, relieve stress and enjoy a little bit of fresh air. For families spending long days at the hospital, moments like this matter more than we sometimes realize.”

Jessica LaPerle, director of patient experience at CHaD, explained how playtime is not just for fun, but critical to children’s development and for their wellbeing when receiving medical care.

CHaD neonatology nurse practitioner Ali Winchester and BJ Perry (Elliot’s dad).

“Moments of play aren’t simply a distraction; they’re also an important part of helping children and families acclimate to the healthcare environment,” LaPerle said. “They restore a sense of normalcy, encourage confidence, reduce stress, and remind children that joy still has a place, even during challenging times. Play is how children learn, express themselves, process difficult experiences, and heal. When we create opportunities for children to simply be kids, we’re supporting their emotional well-being alongside their medical care. That’s what makes this gift so extraordinary. Elliot and the Elliot Perry Foundation have created more than a playground. They’ve created a place where children can imagine, explore, and step into an outdoor space that is designed for whatever they need in that moment.”

Learn more about Dartmouth Health Children’s at childrens.dartmouth-health.org.