Cooking with Amy
Today, I'd like to tell you a true story about a little girl named Amy (her name has been changed to protect her identity). I have been working with her now for over two years. When I first started working with Amy she was only six months old and was completely g-tube fed. She had almost no suck or swallowing reflexes and was absolutely petrified anytime a stranger came near her. To be honest, at that time, I think I was as afraid of her as she was of me! She cried our entire first three sessions and I went home each week with a headache and a big dilemma!
At that time, we were both very new to the feeding therapy scene, so I made a phone call to my supervisor and asked for HELP! I needed very specific instructions on how to treat this delicate little baby. I thank heaven for my wonderful boss who helped me create a feeding plan that was not only thorough, but also flexible enough to grow as this little wonder grew as well. Over the last 28 months, I've watched nurses and therapists come in and out of Amy's life. Her incredibly strong and wise mother drove her to A.I. duPont's feeding clinic weekly for over a year for private feeding sessions. I went to several of these visits in addition to her last swallow study to collaborate with and learn from the specialists, knowing that if we were all working together, Amy's progress would be expedited.
Amy will be turning 3 in January and I already tear-up when I think about it. Amy is truly a miracle and her presence is such a blessing for all those who come in contact with her. Despite all the medical fragility that has hindered her physically in various ways, Amy's speech and language skills (and her sense of humor!) are essentially perfect. She is bright, insightful and always delightfully cheerful. She makes me laugh every time I see her. When I return each week I am continually surprised by her limitless strides and the new skills she has been able to conquer.
Today, Amy is completely orally fed and like a typical two year old, prefers to feed herself. She still struggles with her bite and chew, but both continue to progress through practice with oral motor tools and carefully selected foods. The little girl who once would only accept a dry spoon to her lips will now eat mashed pancakes, yogurt and bananas and pretty much anything in a chucky pureed texture. She loves cinnamon and parmesan cheese and will frequently ask to add both to her meals. Now when I visit Amy each week, we cook together and she taste tests the results! As she told me last week with an excited smile, "I am loving this!"
Tune in next week to read about the recipes Amy and I have made together and what we are planning to make during her remaining two months of therapy. I will also share other resources I have used in the past to help me develop my speech and feeding based cooking lessons!