We're coming up on pipers birthday, her very first birthday! We have learned a lot this year, and yet have no idea what to expect for the years to come. All of the prayers and support have really kept us going through all the challenges thus far.
We were offered no prognosis last year and we're told that her first year would give us fa better rame to work within. We know that piper has severe fine and gross motor delays and functions at around the two month development line physically. And when you're a baby all of your development stems from what you can do physically. She also has a specific type of hearing loss called Auditory neuropathy, and needs help to create pathways evenly with her eyes. So we are learning ASL, which is actually really fun!
She is fed by gtube still and we want to start feeding her a "blenderized" diet as soon as possible and need to buy a high quality blender to do so. We are looking to raise around $400-500 to purchase a Vitamix per the direction of her gastrointerologist. We are also hoping and praying to find a way to get piper a special kind of physical therapy that is not covered by our health care called The Anat Baniel Method http://www.anatbanielmethod.com/
Many special needs parents have told us about this and the more I research the more I think it could be a really wonderful addition to her therapies.
My every day is spent trying to give piper every intervention and bit of support available and we are a single income family of four in Oakland and sometimes the going is a bit tough, so I'm making this go fund me again to ask for whatever help you can offer. If everyone gave $1-$2 that would be incredible and really help us to get her what she needs, and provide for her the support necessary to get her on to many many more birthdays.
The only advice I could offer in life these days is to never take your well being or the well being of your loved ones for granted. Health is a subtle and fragile thing, a thing to be respected and never taken for granted.