Tube Feeding: How to NOT Feed the Bed at Night

When Nick was fed overnight (for years & years), this is how I attached the tubing to his Mic-Key Low-Profile Gastrostomy Feeding Tube and diaper so that it didn’t disconnect or twist & kink. 99% of the time, we made it through the night without a beeping pump and we NEVER fed the bed We had to use the 24 inch feeding tube, not the 12″. He’d wind up with the hard connector at his hip with the...

A Unique Weighted Lap Pad

Our son has plenty of sensory issues. One product that he absolutely loves is his weighted lap pad. The one that we have I discovered by accident. I had purchased Akton Pads for him to sit on. They’re sort of like gel, but they’re a solid material, so you never bottom out. Super heavy, and with evenly distributed weight, I found them far superior to any traditional weighted lap pad. No corn cobs that move and...

Stories from Best Buddies

If you are reading this article through your email subscription, please visit our site to view the embedded video. If you’ve never heard of Best Buddies, now is a great time to discover just how wonderful this program is. Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for...

Only Change One Thing at a Time

Many of you may know by now that we have a boy (Nick) with special needs. He’s our little sweetie, and these days, his good days far outweigh the bad days. But this wasn’t always the case. Figuring out what is bothering him can be nearly impossible at times because he is non verbal and has great difficulty communicating his needs. His frustration peaks to the point of self-abuse. He’s loaded with sensory...

Stress Busters

These tips were contributed by Lindsey Petersen. Be sure to read her blog titled Raising 5 kids with Disabilities and Remaining Sane Blog. I think the title says it all! Thanks Lindsey! Thoughts on things I do to reduce stress and remain sane: Ø    I buy each person in my family their own brand of socks.  That way, matching them and giving them to the proper person is easy. Also, if the dryer eats a sock, there is...

Administering Medications Through a Feeding Tube

Do you administer medications through a g-tube? Read all about it here. If you’re new at this, hopefully this blog will help you to feel more comfortable with the task. If you’re a veteran, maybe you’ll pick up something new. I also recommend that you read Prescription Medications: Avoid Mistakes and Get Organized. Administering Medications through a G-Tube: Tools of the Trade Syringes: When you have liquid...

Need a Timer to Remember Medications, Time Behavio...

Here’s a gift idea! I can think of uses other than what it was designed for… I was looking on Amazon for cool products to post here when I ran across the Itzbeen Baby Care Timer. It was created to help sleep deprived moms and dads remember when it’s time to feed or change the baby, keep track of how long the baby’s been awake or sleeping, and there’s even a bonus timer for medications, etc.....

Prescription Medications: Avoid Mistakes and Get O...

According to Consumer Affairs, it’s estimated that 7,000 deaths occur every year because of incorrect prescriptions. And as stated in an article by Forbes.com, medication errors affect 1.5 million people every year.  These are astounding statistics. And yes, I have caught a pharmacist making a very big mistake. Our son Nick was supposed to get 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of a medication, and the label said to give him 1 ml....