I have been no-mail for a few weeks.  However I had an interesting case I
wanted to share with the group, and if any of you have been in a similar
situation I would like to hear from you.  I am working with a 25 year old
quadriplegic, who has significant contracutures of her upper extremities,
but has some limited movement of her arms.  She was in a car wreck 10 years
ago.  She had a baby last week, first baby.  No intentions of breastfeeding.
However.......  She ended up in ICU for a day, and the baby would not take a
bottle or cup or anything.  Then a bright nurse put the baby on the mothers
abdomen, and to everyone's asonishment the baby crawled up on the mothers
abdomen and opened wide and began to suckle.  This is when I was called in.
Because now the mother wants to breastfeed, and there are a few obstacles in
the way like non supportive family members.
I spoke to her by phone today after I had seen her, and one of her comments
was the baby had been nursing for the last hour and a half.  Every time the
baby is not nursing, or with her, he wakes up.  Well that put me in a
position to point out that since she is so limited in what she can do for
her baby, she is the only person who can nurse him.  That was something she
had not thought about.  I am hoping this works out for her.  She has put
herself through college with her disability, and has never let this get in
her way of living life.

I don't really have a question, but if you have comments suggestions or have
experience with working with disabled women I would love to hear from you.

thanks

Jane Squires

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