It's not just a straw!

In February, we started speech therapy at Ozark Therapy Institute in Springfield Mo. Our insurance does not cover speech therapy so I figured since we were paying out of pocket I should find the best. From other parents, I heard of this place and how great they were. Sometimes the best word of mouth is from patients themselves!!

My goal for Christian was simple (well simple as in 1 goal)--teach my son how to drink from a straw. To be honest others had tried and I kinda thought it may never happen. Mostly due to the fact that Christian bites everything-including former straws:) To me it seemed like a pretty impossible task yet very important skill!!!

I called OTI, described Christian's diagnosis, mental and physical abilities and hoped that the therapist didn't think my goal was unattainable. Before the conversation was over I remembered that I forgot to tell him something about Christian. . . . "oh and he's blind" (on my side of the phone I'm thinking don't let this be a deal breaker:)) Teaching a blind/cognitively impaired child to drink from a straw could be difficult. Mr. Dan McCool didn't seem to think it was a problem. . .challenge maybe. . . but not a deal breaker!(he didn't say that).

And so we started speech therapy and the quest for Christian to drink from a straw. After about 4 weeks he was drinking from a straw!!! I just about fell out of my chair. Over the following weeks he improved more and more. There are so many technical things that go in to drinking from a straw. Since I'm not a therapist, I can't quite explain it all. But for Christian to round his lips on the straw, suck, and swallow is quite an accomplishment. It was just amazing. I probably sent our therapist way too many videos when he started seeing him make so much progress at home. I never thought I would see him drink from a straw.

So it isn't just a straw. . . it means Christian can safely drink liquids, it means we aren't spending a bunch of money on sippy cups that he bites holes in after 2 days, it means I can give him a drink without him in my lap, it means I can give him a drink with one hand and feed Bryant with the other, it mean we can give him a drink in his carseat, it mean his lips, tongue and jaw are doing different things to accomplish a task. . . .. that's why it's not just a straw.

After accomplishing this I thought . . hmm what now? Well since then we have been working on communication skills. Christian can sign for more and is close to being proficient in signing for drink. We are working on a combination of signs and vocalizing for his wants. This is simply amazing to me. It just goes to show that when you have a knowledgeable, caring, you can do it attitude speech therapist and the tools to know what to do at home . . . much can be accomplished. I hate to admit that it took Mr. Dan to help me believe that Christian was capable and has so much potential (THANK YOU). I will try to get video on here soon.