all of E’s life has been a struggle. A struggle for her to eat, a struggle for her to breathe, a struggle for her to gain weight, a struggle for her to swallow. Her first year of life included multiple hospitalizations, specialists, weekly dr appts that included weight checks, force feeds, 2 different feeding tubes. The following years have included intensive feeding programs and EXTREME STRESS. Emerson’s pediatric feeding disorder resolved and her feeding tube removed, but due to the trauma, the pain, the constant stress around food Emerson developed ARFID. An avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. Our journey may not be over but it looks different and we are taking the wins we can get!
I'm raising money for Feeding Matters!
Honestly if you have never had a critically ill child, you have no idea how exhausting it is on yourself, your family, your relationship, living. You spend countless hours trying to research what could be wrong with your child, and you eventually become one of those crazy advocates that refuse to allow drs to push you aside and tell you ‘this is normal, they will grow out of it.’ Well, breathing 80 breaths per minute isn’t normal, randomly stopping breathing while they sleep isn’t normal, hating to eat isn’t normal, losing weight isn’t normal, chronic coughing and turning blue while they feed isn’t normal, choking while they feed isn’t normal.
I’m thrilled to be a part of the Feeding Matters organization since the start of Emerson's diagnosis 7 years ago. And I will bre participating in It's Not Picky Eating, a fundraiser supporting Feeding Matters! I’m passionate about this cause because of my own child, and other children! Every donation big or small helps me reach my fundraising goal and directly impacts families.
Here's how you can help:
Donate: Contribute whatever you can. No amount is too small!
Spread the Word: Share my fundraising page with your friends, family, and social networks. Let’s spread awareness so we can raise more!