From Beth's perspective:
"As a volunteer field educator for The SPOON Foundation, I
went to India to teach orphanage caregivers the most optimal feeding practices
to use with special needs children.. I was in two cities Pune and Bangalore. I conducted
2-3 day seminars with practicums at 4 sites. In general the information was
received well and the lead caregivers were extremely optimistic about training
those in the “trenches” on the new techniques and philosophy. The most
challenging feature of the project was undoing the feeding practices that had
been used for years. Typically special needs children are feed on the floor in
a supine position, with the caregiver positioned behind the child’s head. The
spoon that is generally used is larger than a tablespoon, and the consistency
of the food is pureed. This feeding technique has resulted in decreased intake, choking, aspiration,
frequent pneumonia and even death in children living without permanent homes.
The rate of malnutrition of children in institutions in India is also very
high. The caregivers who feed these children are typically very well intended,
however, due to the number of children and the schedule of meals, they are very
rushed and mechanical in the task. It is common for one caregiver to be
responsible for feeding up to 5-8 children within the one designated meal hour.
The resources including input from trained therapists or the availability of appropriate adaptive equipment and
seating is very limited. Subsequently children are fed in a very unsafe,
unengaged manner. Observing these feeding practices was heartbreaking and truly
very hard to observe. I gently guided the caregivers to adjust their positions,
utilize what little seating they have and engage in responsive feeding
practices. Besides getting the
proper nutrition, meal times are typically happy interactive times with family,
friends or coworkers. I thoroughly enjoy a long protracted meal at the table
with my family, connecting and catching up with one another. These children
never have this type of experience. How incredibly sad."
-- Beth Williamson, Clinical Director
Beth hopes to return to India by the end of the year. Stay tuned for more updates and adventures as they come.