Addie received her feeding tube placement when she was 7 days old. Initially the thought of her having a feeding tube was daunting and filled with grief. However, having that feeding tube has been none of those things when it comes to her resiliency and autonomy.
As a baby she loved to sit in her jumperoo and eat. As she grew up and was given the freedom of a backpack and IV pole there was no stopping her.
She thrives because she has never been held back by this life-saving limitation. It is an extension of her. Now, as an adult, it has open the door for the autonomy of learning to manage feedings herself. It always impresses new people in her life how well she does hooking herself up, managing the pump, and getting situated to go about her day.
