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Grandparents Speak
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Hello Everyone!
Grandparents have a unique position in the world. They are filled with years of wisdome but must keep it secret until requested. They love with the fierce determination of a new parent, but must restrain their involvement. It is difficult when asked to step aside as it is no longer your role to parent. Therefore, MAGIC grandparents have requested a venue by which they can write their thoughts, communicate with each other and share experiences. Appropriate comments only. Others (solicitations and non-appropriate content) will be deleted without notification. If you have problems with this board, contact jamie@magicfoundation.org
The MAGIC Foundation nor any contributor of or to this message board assumes liability for this content, it is always recommended to ask for professional guidance when needed.
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On Nov 21 2007, Lucy Wrote:
Grandparents: you may be instrumental in detecting Early Motor Development problems in your grandchildren.
This excerpt is from Pathways Awareness Foundation, a foundation dedicated to the development of children.
For the full article: http://www.pathwaysawareness.org/navigation/311h
Grandparents: The New Gatekeepers for Early Motor Development
Grandparents Are Often the First to Spot Early Motor Delays in Grandchildren
Today, there are more than 80 million grandparents in the U.S., and more than half of those belong to the “baby boomer” generation. They are likely to be busier—many work full or part-time—but they are also healthier and more active, and spending time with their grandchildren is a high priority.
An increasing number of these highly engaged grandparents are noticing and taking action when they spot an early motor delay. They are particularly adept at identifying developmental milestones because they’ve raised their own children and know if a baby’s movements don’t look quite right. They also trust their instincts and aren’t afraid to bring up issues to medical professionals, making an invaluable difference in children’s lives.
Today, one in 40 children is born with an early motor delay, and each year more than 400,000 U.S. children are at risk. The term “early motor delay” describes a wide variety of conditions, ranging from low muscle tone to cerebral palsy. If untreated, these delays can lead to difficulty walking, talking and even eating. The good news is that most cases are not serious, and with physical therapy and a strategy of tummy time while awake, most children can catch up quickly.
On Oct 30 2007, anonymous Wrote:
October 30 - To Judy Householder
Dear Judy:
When our granddaughter was 16 months old, her Dr. in New York told us she was the most emaciated child she had ever seen. She was so very tiny, would not and could not eat anything without gagging or throwing up and if she became ill, she always ended up in the hospital for dehydration and malnutriton. When she was 18 months old her parents decided to go ahead with the feeding tube insertion. This was a very difficult decision for them but definitely one of the very best decisons made on behalf of our litle angel. After the feeding tube, her little cheeks plumped, she acquired and unbelievable amount of energy and stamina immediately. Prior, she was low energy and very easily fatigued. Imagine a toddler content to sit or lie on someone's lap the majority of the time. There were so many things she didn't do because she did not have the calories to burn in order to do them. We did not notice that she was having any major developmental issues, but after the tube insertion she zoomed developmentally. So much energy, stamina, climbing, running, and jabbering about everything. It brought tears to our eyes to see this miracle at work. I am not trying to influence you, but I do want you to know that there are far worse things for a child. The g-tube is not an issue for our angel. She as well as we view it as a normal part of her body and she readily shares information about it with anyone who might ask. Her immune system is incredible; she is rarely ill and hospitalizations are a thing of the past. We feel blessed that Magic is a part of our lives and that because of that little tube, our Lyss has a normal life as well. She is five now, and still has her 'tubie'. We are slowly weaning her off, but mom says that as long as there is the possibility that she needs it, it will remain a part of Lyss. I do hope this helps to relieve some of the anxiety you are feeling about the prospect of a feeding tube for your little angel. It has been a miracle for ours. Sincerely, Grandma Donna to Alyssa.
On Oct 30 2007, Donna Morris Wrote:
October 30 - To Judy Householder
Dear Judy:
When our granddaughter was 16 months old, her Dr. in New York told us she was the most emaciated child she had ever seen. She was so very tiny, would not and could not eat anything without gagging or throwing up and if she became ill, she always ended up in the hospital for dehydration and malnutriton. When she was 18 months old her parents decided to go ahead with the feeding tube insertion. This was a very difficult decision for them but definitely one of the very best decisons made on behalf of our litle angel. After the feeding tube, her little cheeks plumped, she acquired and unbelievable amount of energy and stamina immediately. Prior, she was low energy and very easily fatigued. Imagine a toddler content to sit or lie on someone's lap the majority of the time. There were so many things she didn't do because she did not have the calories to burn in order to do them. We did not notice that she was having any major developmental issues, but after the tube insertion she zoomed developmentally. So much energy, stamina, climbing, running, and jabbering about everything. It brought tears to our eyes to see this miracle at work. I am not trying to influence you, but I do want you to know that there are far worse things for a child. The g-tube is not an issue for our angel. She as well as we view it as a normal part of her body and she readily shares information about it with anyone who might ask. Her immune system is incredible; she is rarely ill and hospitalizations are a thing of the past. We feel blessed that Magic is a part of our lives and that because of that little tube, our Lyss has a normal life as well. She is five now, and still has her 'tubie'. We are slowly weaning her off, but mom says that as long as there is the possibility that she needs it, it will remain a part of Lyss. I do hope this helps to relieve some of the anxiety you are feeling about the prospect of a feeding tube for your little angel. It has been a miracle for ours. Sincerely, Grandma Donna to Alyssa.
On Oct 29 2007, Judy Householder Wrote:
Judy Householder
WV. Grandparent
My granddaughter Ashlyn is just great, she gives me hugs and kissess whenever she sees me. Ashlyn gains a few ounces and than she will get sick and loose what she has gained. Jill is afraid that she will have to have a feeding tube put in. She is a very picky eater, one day she will eat something and the next she won't even try it. You just don't know what to feed her. she has a visit this november to see her Dr. in New York. Maybe they could figure out how to get her to eat a little more. bye for now.
On Sep 05 2007, Amanda, Grandmother to Timmy Wrote:
As grandparents we are all blessed to have these kids in our lives. It is hard to understand but because I have more free time now, I try to be as supportive as I can. My husband and I plan to organize a Walk for Magic next month. Good for us and great for the kids.
On Aug 29 2007, Ginger (mimi (grandmother) to Alex, RSS 2 1/2) Wrote:
Greetings grandparents!
My husband and I are lucky to have Alex in our lives! He is such a wonderful little boy and such a trooper. I agree with Maggie that we are all so blessed to have our special grandchildren! The convention is a great support for our family and as he gets older, will also be for Alex. It is very interesting to see the children grow older (this is our 2nd year to attend)
Remind your kids that you are proud of them!
Thanks!
On Aug 28 2007, Maggie Sievert(Oma) Wrote:
I attended the Convention for the second year in a row with my daughter,son in law, my sister, and the three children. Last year was such an emotional rollercoaster, Devan had just been diagnosed that year with RSS. At times I was brought to tears just looking at these beautiful children with RSS and children who have life threatening syndromes. I count my blessing every day that it could have been a worse diagnosis for our Devan.
This years convention was so much fun to see the changes in some of the children we met last year.It is encouraging for the new parents to see how well they are doing, and that their babies will be looking better next year. I made a vow the first year, that as long as we are healthy, my children and grandchildren would attend every convention. It is a place for Devan to feel "normal", which will become even more important as she gets older.It give her siblings an oppurtunity to meet with other siblings and find that it is common to feel a little neglected and jealous, no matter how hard we try to make them feel special too.
This year we have already begun to raise funds for our trip next year. We are holding a 1st Annual golf outing. It has been a very hard and time consuming job, but it is worth the effort if it gets this family back to Chicago, and hopefully, we will raise enough money to send another family too.
Thank you MAGIC for your hard work and introducing us to Dr.H. I am proud to be a Grandparent member!
On Aug 23 2007, anonymous Wrote:
I went to the convention with Magic for my grandson. My daughter has 4 kids and I try to help out as much as I can. It really helped me to understand everything that both my daughter, the whole family and my grandson go through each day. It was a great amount of information and we all had a wonderful experience. Sometimes I try so hard to help that I get lost. I realized that I don't tell her often enough how proud I am of all of them.
On Aug 22 2007, GrannyT Wrote:
July 18-24
This was my first trip to a MAGIC Foundation Conference. I had told my daughter that I did not want to go and I thought her husband should go. He had to take a test at work and could not leave until Thursday night and it was a 12-hour drive. I knew she wanted to go and had paid for most of the trip in advance. So, on Wednesday I told if she wanted to go that I would go. So we packed up and left at 9:00 p.m.
I was a long trip we arrived Thursday about 12:00 p.m. at the hotel. We went to our room unpacked, took a shower and went down stair to meet other families, vendors and join in the fun.
On Friday day we went to seminars and two older children went to the zoo, the youngest fewer than 3 went to daycare.
That night we danced, ate and enjoyed the company of the families that we meet and swapped information with.
On Saturday we went to Navy Pier it was a day of fun.
Sunday we went to Wheeling Aquatic Park Center for another day of fun.
That night on our way out of Chicago, IL we went to the top of the Sears Tower and ate at Giordano’s Pizzeria.
We left Chicago, IL. About 9:00 p.m. we stopped at 1:00 a.m. in Louisville, Indiana off I-70E and got a room.
Got breakfast the next morning and started our long trip home.
We broke up the drive my stopping in bowling green, Kentucky and going to Mammoth Cave.
We stopped in Nashville, Tennessee at Logan’s for supper and got home at 11:00 p.m. on Monday night.
It was a great trip; no problems and I tried to be as helpful as I could.
Being a grandmother we want to tell our children what they are doing wrong and forget to tell what they are doing right.
My daughter put a lot of effort into this trip. She worked many hours to get the money to make the trip.
I try to be there for her as much as I can but try not to exclude her husband as sometimes I think I do.
It is great that the Magic Foundation bring families together to learn how to deal with their daily tasks and to know that they are not alone. I will come back if my daughter asks me to.
On Aug 22 2007, anonymous Wrote:
Hi: My name is Judy Householder, I'am the adopted Grandmother to the Trotter Family. We all came to the convention this year for the first time, and we had a great time.We were able to attend because my grand-daughter Ashlyn was diagnoised with Russell-Silver Syndrome. She is 14 months old, very smart little baby, likes to copy everything you do.I just wanted to say that I was very impressed with the whole convention, and liked the Grandparents disscusion group. Hope to be able to attend next year. Well have to get supper ready. Bye Judy Householder
West Virginia Grand-parent
On Aug 21 2007, Jamie Wrote:
Ode to all us seniors!
http://www.libertyhigh56.net/special%20pages/seniors/seniors.htm
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