Amy's Last Day
A few months back I did two posts about Amy, a little girl who I have been working with for two and a half years through early intervention. I started treating Amy when she was just six months old. This Friday, Amy will turn 3 and will be entrusted to a new speech and feeding therapist. Today was my last session with Amy. We made vanilla birthday cupcakes! She loved cracking the eggs, turning on the mixer and shaking sprinkles on the icing. At the end we sang the Happy Birthday tune and Amy blew out her little pink candle.
Before leaving today, I took the time to thank Amy's mom. I remember walking into their home for the first time back in July of 06. I was new to early intervention and feeding therapy. Amy was just 6 months old, very fragile and completely tube-fed. Looking back, I did the very best I could at that time. I was honest and I told Amy's mom I did not have much experience with a child like hers. I called my supervisor and asked my colleagues for guidance and advice. I also started going to feeding trainings and reading all I could about how I should direct therapy. Although my heart was open and my intentions were good, there are many parents out there who would have requested a new therapist and rightly so. One with more experience, confidence and know-how in the area of feeding, but Amy's mom stuck with me. As she stated today, "we were all learning together."
Working with Amy has been a very humbling experience for me. The situation stretched me to become a better therapist. Seeing her progress and the dedication of her family inspired me to continue even when I was unsure of the path.
Just a few weeks ago, there was a comment posted on this blog by a "Speech Pathology Intern" who recently saw significant progress in one of her students. She wrote "...we DO make a difference." I look at Amy today on the verge of 3 years old, making cupcakes and singing as she stirs the batter and I know that this is true. Because we all worked together, this once delicate infant has blossomed into a vivacious and spirited little lady, winning the hearts of all who meet her.
Tune in next week to read my interview with Sharon Gretz, MEd, the Founder and now Executive Director of CASANA (The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America).