You may remember Olivia, 2, from posts on her second birthday party, where she wore a fluffy pink tutu and shiny tiara. We recently caught up with the adventurous toddler to see how she’s progressing after almost one year being fitted with a Passy-Muir valve (PMV). The PMV is a device used by patients who have had a tracheostomy and rely on a ventilator that redirects air flow so that air passes through the vocal folds, mouth and nose, allowing these patients to communicate vocally for the first time. “The PMV gives her a voice,” said Speech/Language Pathologist Simone Roseland. “She was vocalizing with the trach a bit - just making breathy noises - but now with the PMV she’s saying two word sentences.” Olivia was born prematurely at 27 weeks gestation. When she first arrived at La Rabida she was trach/vent dependent and had a g-tube for feeding. She still has the trach but wears the PMV during all waking hours. Olivia no longer needs her ventilator and has recently begun eating some food by mouth. “She’s made a lot of progress since she’s been an inpatient,” said Simone. “She’s communicating and tolerating the PMV really well.” Olivia quickly moves from popping bubbles to “feeding” a puppet different fruits, vegetables and beverages, then trying to play with her grandfather’s cell phone. “Book!” she exclaims while reaching up toward a book on the cabinet. Simone works with her on imitating animal sounds for a few engaged moments before moving on to a “If You’re Happy and You Know It” sing-along. “Hooray!” shouts Olivia, clapping her hands and feet. Olivia regularly sees a speech/language pathologist and physical therapist team and is also in a PT/infant development group, as well as the oral-motor feeding clinic. We’re so happy to be helping Olivia find her own unique voice!
Posted on: Sat, 26 Apr 2014 16:00:00 +0000
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