Parent Panel Reaction - Essay Example

Jessica Holman Psyc 365 May 7, Parent Panel Reaction Prior to April 23, my knowledge in regard to the ordeals and experiences of parents with a special needs child was very minimal. With my work experience as a Research Assistant with Kennedy Krieger, I only had a one-sided perspective and understanding of the interventions, protocols, methods and data associated with children with special needs. I lacked the in-depth narratives of families’ struggles and experiences that grant professionals the needed rapport and empathy to work with families, such as those provided by Greg, Tracea and Danielle. The first narrative of the parent panel was very shocking for me, especially Danielle’s recount of her second pregnancy. Danielle’s first pregnancy, while having gestational diabetes, gave birth to a healthy and normally developing little girl. Throughout her second pregnancy, the first twenty weeks revealed signs of a typical, healthy pregnancy with no evidence through testing of any complications. Then one day, following her intuition, Danielle wanted her cervix checked. After being persistent about having her cervix examined, she learned was eighty percent dilated and placed on bed rest. Danielle described to the class how no one took her seriously, especially at thirty-four weeks. Believing she had a stomach flu, Danielle once again had another feeling that something had happened. Her intuition told her that her “water broke and to go to the doctor.” Listening to that voice, Danielle went to the doctor and found out her water was leaking. The water leaking had been causing her to become sick. She was immediately induced with pitocin and received an epidural. As soon as Charlie was born, he was faced with compilations and Danielle was unable to see him for approximately four hours. Ten days later, Charlie was deemed good to go and they were told all was well. After hearing Danielle’s response, I was shocked by the fact that the doctors, nurses and other medical staff almost ignored Danielle’s intuition. I also pondered upon what would have happened if she was not persistent on those two different instances and had just accepted that medical professionals believed everything was fine. I then reflected on Tracea’s statement as she “felt as though as it is like pulling teeth to get a direct or more detailed answer.” I learned as an individual working among families with children with special needs it is always important to listen to the parents. Even though their suggestions, beliefs or intuitions may sound outrageous to professionals, the parents are the ones with their child 24/7. The parents know their children best. For a parent to believe that something is wrong with their child, there most likely is. When I become a parent, I vow to always follow my intuition, pursue answers to any questions and concerns that I have, and be as constant as Danielle was for the best interest of my child. Hearing from Greg and Danielle of when and how they learned of their child’s diagnosis was at first astonishing and then uplifting. Danielle’s description of sitting in the John Hopkins waiting room and hearing that her son wasn’t going to die but be profoundly mental retarded was jarring. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how they handled being in that situation. Immediately, I image the mixed emotions combined with the stress, confusion and even heartbreak of hearing the worst possible outcome for their child. Danielle’s description was followed by a list of all the medical professionals that their child had been involved with, which proved to be overwhelming. The Intensive Care Staff, NICU department, neurosurgeon, ophthalmic surgeon, Infants and Toddlers, follow-up clinic, respiratory therapist, occupation therapist, physical therapist, genetics, regular pediatrician, neurologist, and the list went on. While the list was overwhelming, I realized it was these individuals, the parents and, most importantly, the child, who formed a team and beat the odds, thus proving the first diagnosis wrong. This realization was very uplifting and enlightening. Uplifting in hearing how these parents refused to believe the first assumption/diagnosis associated with their child. Enlightening in the understanding that I gained of how so many different professionals play a crucial role in the advancement of a special needs child. Lastly, I was profoundly touched by the entirety of Tracea and her son Aden’s story. I felt as though Danielle and Greg’s narratives of their experiences reflected a past-to-present storyline, while Tracea’s description represented the “at this very instant” time. Prior to coming to our parent panel, Tracea’s son had an MRI and she was informed that her son would have several challenges. Her discussion of how that day was a bad day, which resulted in another full day of crying, had an intense emotional effect upon me. I became teary-eyed as I watched within her face, and even heard in her voice, the weight of the world upon her shoulders. It was obvious in hearing the doctor’s report but not receiving any direct answers that she was heartbroken. Tracea felt as though it was like pulling teeth to get a direct or more detail answer from the doctors. Discovering that Tracea was a single mother with an older child and currently unemployed due to her son’s medical care was traumatizing. As the parents went around telling the one thing they were most proud of in their child and seeing the smile upon Tracea’s face as she mentioned her son getting his fist in his mouth and being all smiles after his MRI took away the traumatizing feeling, leaving a smile on my face. It was reassuring hearing from the professor that she remained with Tracea after class and offered her comfort and advice in reference to her son. Overall Greg, Danielle, and Tracea’s involvement in the parent panel was crucial in making the information in the textbook reverent, more attainable and personal. As a student, this parent panel has brought to reality the realness of the pain, struggles, lessons, and joy that parents experience as they go through the journey with their special needs child. Read More