A Feeding Tube For My Child: A Mother's Personal Account

I want to start by thanking you for letting me be your guide during this discussion. I decided to document my personal experience of accepting a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for my son Otito. I gave birth to Otito in Dec 2012 and from the time of his birth he was special. By special I am trying to explain that he was different from most children. By the 3rd day of his life, he managed to get diagnosed with an inherited metabolic condition called Propionic Acidaemia. It challenged his body's ability to break down proteins. We were told that his body was missing a vital enzyme. Enzymes help our bodies digest food. Until I had that child, I did not realise that just eating and digesting food was an extremely complex process.When Otto became unable to keep up with his feeding we were offered a feeding tube but it was difficult to accept.
In this book, Lauretta offers a personal account of her difficulty accepting a feeding tube for her son. She confronts different dilemmas as she explores the psychological, social, medical, and spiritual implications for her. This book is a must read for any family struggling with the decision to accept a tube or any complex device for their child. It can help professionals to gain insights into the internal struggles of a family in their care so that communication can be effectively targeted to support them.