Physical distancing is keeping Canadians protected from COVID-19, but coping with the isolation that comes along with it can be difficult for adults, let alone children.
Like many parents, Sudbury mother Bianca Charrette has been seeing the impact the pandemic is having on her young daughter, Tiffany. Not only is Tiffany missing her friends, her concern and anxiety related to COVID-19 has been giving her nightmares.
"Tiffany has been struggling with this social distancing," Charrette told Sudbury.com. "I made a Facebook status about Tiffany having a hard time understanding why she can’t play with her friends and that she has nightmares about 'the germs'.
"A lot of friends left kind words on the post. Showing us we weren't alone."
Tiffany turns four on May 2 and like a lot of girls her age, she absolutely adores the Disney film Frozen. In case you are unfamiliar with the pop culture phenomenon that is the Frozen franchise, the original film and its sequel (the fittingly titled Frozen 2) tell the story of aristocratic sisters Elsa and Anna, who also experienced their own form of isolation. Unable to control her magical powers, Elsa was forced to stay locked in her room and the sisters weren't allowed to play with one another.
Somewhat relatable, right?
Cue Kassie Taylor!
After seeing Charette's Facebook post, the family's long-time friend knew just how to cheer Tiffany up during this difficult time, and maybe even help her process her confusion and loneliness.
Taylor used her talents as a singer-songwriter to serenade Tiffany outside her apartment building in Greater Sudbury.
Dressed as Anna, the Queen of Arendelle, (and doing a spot-on impression of actor Kristen Bell) Taylor sang perfect renditions of the movie's most popular songs "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" and "For the First Time in Forever".
Check out the video above to see Tiffany's reaction.
"I had been preparing to start doing Anna and Elsa livestreams on Facebook," Taylor said. "Then I had the idea to make it a little more personal and actually visit people from afar and see the difference it can make in someone’s day."
Like Tiffany, Taylor has also been having a difficult time lately.
"As a performer, I basically lost my job during the pandemic. I’m a student, too, so I’m just slowly trying to pick-up the pieces," Taylor said. "And being an extrovert, even seeing people from afar while performing, makes such a difference. Not just in their lives but mine as well."
Before she left for the long journey back to Arendelle, Anna requested one thing from Princess Tiffany: for her to believe that the gates will open again.
"Anna was able to give her a little hope and make her believe that the gates will open again." Charrette said. "I cried, my husband up on the balcony with Tiffany was crying as well and other families came out."
"It was a message so many kids needed to hear. Even us as parents."
If you live in Greater Sudbury and would like to book a special social distancing visit with Elsa or Anna outside your home, email Kassie Taylor at [email protected] or send her a private message on Facebook here.
For some tips on coping with physical distancing and anxiety brought on by the pandemic, check out this column from registered nurse psychotherapist, Stacey Roles.