One week from today Ira will begin a 4 week intensive feeding clinic. To say I am dreading it would be an understatement. Joe and I plan to share the commute. Joe will take him on M/W and I will take him on T/Th/F. This way we can both learn the techniques involved in teaching him to eat and it will allow us to both have time with Sophia in the afternoons during the week. We plan on driving back and forth the first week. If the commute is just too much, we will look for an alternate plan.
I have talked to a mother whose son went through the program last fall. She said it was extremely difficult. She said it was so hard to watch her son cry and struggle behind a one-way mirror and not be able to rescue him. But now he is doing well and eating on his own during the day (he still needs the feeding pump at night). I can’t even imagine this for Ira. Currently he wants nothing to do with my bowl of brownie and ice cream. Whose child is this?!?!
I am going to spend this week gearing up and doing my best to find a good attitude.
6 responses so far ↓
Dana // May 5, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I don’t have the right words to comfort you because I have only ever been a sibling, teacher and minister for children. I have not known the personal struggle of having to watch children of my own suffer (in even the smallest of ways).
I have seen and helped a child through something similar to what you will be facing. It is not fun or pretty. Any kind of therapy with children is very difficult because we do not have the luxury of explaining the need for personal discipline to them. They are too young to understand you must sometimes do the right thing even though it’s hard or painful.
I will be praying for you to have both strength and comfort. Just remember that you don’t have to be so strong through it all–just authentic as the parent you are. That will be enough for Ira. God will fill in the rest.
Jackie // May 5, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Laura, all of you will be in our thoughts and prayers next week as you begin the feeding clinic with Ira. I wish I had some profound bit of wisdom to offer you–I just feel, however, that Ira will do well…he continues to be a hero to us all. We love you all so much. Aunt Jackie
Glo // May 6, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Laura, today I was in Lubbock and drove past a high school track/field. Some physical education students (I think??) were playing soccer. But three boys were separated from the soccer players and were on the track with a coach right beside them. The boys were running in place and the coach was yelling loudly and with his mouth open widely. The boys’ p.e. shirts were soaked with perspiration. I have no idea if they were being disciplined or if they were just trying to get in better shape or why they were running in place while the other students were playing….but I know my heart went out to them and I wanted to stop my car and tell the coach to cut them some slack.
My gut reaction to your statement that you will be on the other side of the mirror and will be unable to “cut some slack” for Ira was to advise you NOT TO WATCH. But I realize that you need to learn the procedures that Ira will be learning.
My heart goes out to all of you. Sooooo tough especially for one so young. My tears and prayers are with you all as you face another tough time. I know you can do it because of all that you have been able to do in the past….but I’m sure it’s tempting to say, “Enough Already!”
Please give Ira extra loving tonight and tell him it’s from his Gram. And please give the head-butting recipient extra loving also. Sure would like to see a video of her jumping in that swimming pool and going under….and coming up smiling!
Love so much,
Mom/Gram/Glo
Jina Hinson // May 6, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Laura,
I will be in prayer for you and Joe and Ira and Sophia. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be for me to do that as a mother (I have 4) –only God knows that pain completely. He will be your constant rock, your never-depleted source. Isa. 41:10
Much love,
Jina
Abbie // May 6, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Hey friend,
I will be thinking and praying for you next week as you go through the intensive feeding clinic. I hope that it goes by as quickly as possible. We can’t wait to see you guys in July (just around the corner).
Love you!!
greeneyes // May 8, 2008 at 12:15 am
who knows he may take to it like a duck to water , he has surprised everyone so far ,fingers crossed (eyes too LOL)
Good luck ,will say a prayer for him and you all for great success .
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