Tallinna Lastehaigla and the Estonian Children's Literature Centre are organizing a creative competition named 'My Pain Story' for children aged 5 to 16 between March 3 and March 30, 2026. This initiative encourages young participants to express their experiences with pain through various forms including drawings, short stories, letters, poems, and comics. The competition aims to provide children a platform to articulate their encounters with pain, whether linked to hospitalization, illness, recovery, or significant events in their lives.

The competition emphasizes that pain is not solely a physical sensation; it can also be accompanied by emotions such as fear, confusion, and memories. Svea Talving, Head of Marketing and Communication at Tallinna Children's Hospital, stressed the importance of creative expression, as children often find it difficult to articulate their experiences verbally. By encouraging them to share their feelings through art or storytelling, the competition aims to help them understand and communicate their experiences better.

Overall, the 'My Pain Story' competition recognizes that children are the best experts on their own pain experiences. It not only serves as a therapeutic outlet for children but also aims to foster empathy and understanding among adults — parents, caregivers, and medical professionals — by sharing these narratives. Through this initiative, the organizers hope to create a supportive community that acknowledges and validates children's experiences with pain.