James, Age 3
Summary
Around the age of 1 1/2, I began to encounter significant challenges when it came to feeding my child. Until that point, my child had been quite accepting of the foods I offered, but suddenly, he went through a notable regression and began developing food aversions. He started avoiding eating, touching food, and even looking at it. I invested a significant amount of time and money in trying various activities involving different food groups to encourage him to engage with his meals. Unfortunately, all of my efforts proved unsuccessful, and he continued to stick to a limited selection of foods.
When I raised my concerns about his feeding issues with his doctors, I often felt dismissed, ignored, or belittled. In one distressing instance, a doctor even suggested that children could survive for seven days with only water in their stomachs, implying that starving my child would resolve the issue. Throughout this time, many people labeled my son as a "picky eater," when in reality, he was struggling with food aversions and sensory issues. A timely diagnosis and appropriate support would have allowed me to address this issue much earlier.
What having coverage could mean
Ensuring the well-being of your child is always the top priority, but the ability to afford what's best for them presents an entirely different challenge. The prospect of being able to afford feeding therapy for my son holds the potential to be a life-changing moment. Having comprehensive coverage will ease the financial burden associated with therapies that may not be fully covered by insurance. This includes expenses such as transportation, the therapies themselves, and any additional materials required to reinforce the strategies at home. I eagerly anticipate the day when I can share the joy of having a meal with my child or when he reaches out to pick something off my plate.