[tri-med] Re: typical or sound lazy???

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pamela Padgett" <padgettcastle@xxxxxxxxx>
> Michelle, you are an earthly Saint!

{snorting with laughter}  Oh my, if you only knew..............
ROFLMBO

>We were given
> homework that we have been doing religiously for 2 and
> a half years with instructions/guidance, so for you to
> do what was necessary for Alex on your own, my hats
> off to you!!

I had no choice. That's the plain and simple truth.

Early intervention 18 yrs ago wasn't what it is today apparently.

We brought home a 7 day old infant with no suck, floppy, lethargic, no
startle reflex, no responses to pretty much anything--even pain.
At 3 weeks I finally gave up trying to breastfeed out of
exhaustion/frustration/prob some depression because things were so hard and
I was so alone.
It took 1-2 hrs to get 1 ounce into Alex. Most of my days were spent
feeding.

Then we moved onto trying to figure out ways to help Alex develope. It
really took shape when Alex and I took an Infant Stimulation class at the
hospital. The desire to promote more brain growth/wiring got me to exploring
(WITHOUT the Internet thank you very much!!!!!!  This was in the 'dark ages'
before computer screen light! lol).

We were never offered any help (even LaLeche League turned me down when I
called desperate). And being a first time mom, with no Internet resources or
other contacts, struggling with the trials of a special needs newborn, had
no clue.

I worked motion (up/down, back/forth/rotation/upside down/right side up
etc).
The senses (taste, touch, smell, sound, sight).
I read to Alex daily.
I worked his body daily.
I worked his senses daily.
Talked myself silly. Daily.   :0)

We worked muscles and joints. Then balance. Then working on positions for
activity. Crawling was putting him in the position. After a while it was Jim
and I (one supporting torso and the other doing arms/legs) mimicing crawling
motion. Etc.

It was work.
It was hard.
But Alex and I had fun. We bonded. I took cues from him.
He finally smiled.
Then laughed.
It only took 7 months.
A labor of love.

Michelle mom to Alex (18, partial trisomy 14 mosaic) and Molly (14)
Michigan USA


                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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