There are several "firsts" that happen in a child's life. First time they smile, first time they crawl, first steps, first solid food, and every mom's favorite, the first time they sleep through the night! While moms definitely don't take these firsts for granted, they do expect their child to experience them without much difficulty. However, there are some moms that aren't sure when one of these first will ever take place. Below is the story of Kidville members Keri and son Pace. Read about their experience with "firsts" and see how Kidville played a big role!
Pace was born at 28 weeks gestation and had a very touch medical battle. His lungs were very underdeveloped and he required substantial mechanical ventilation. He spent over 200 days in the NICU and then a few weeks at a rehabilitation hospital before he was finally allowed to go home.
Pace came home with a trach and was on a ventilator and supplemental oxygen 24 hours a day. He also had a feeding tube where he got 100% of his calories via a feeding pump. The hospital was able to hook up the ventilator directly to the trach so that Pace could have maximum mobility.
Because Pace came home from the hospital at the start of cold, flu, and RSV season, Keri knew they had to be extremely careful. Until that Spring, they rarely left their home unless they were going to a doctor's appointment or somewhere they knew they'd avoid other children. For Keri, the risk was too high to expose Pace to any type of germs.
After the season had passed, Pace was no longer on the ventilator and didn't require supplemental oxygen. After getting their physician's support, Keri decided she and her husband could take Pace out to places with the proper precautions.
"I remember touring Kidville one afternoon and immediately knowing it would be a great fit for our family. Everyone was friendly, open to Pace's medical equipment, the facilities were clean, and most importantly, it seemed like a loving environment", says Keri. Shortly after her visit, Keri enrolled Pace in a music class and Big Muscle Playtime.
The two loved both classes but for very different reasons.
At the time, Pace was getting physical therapy at home several times a week. Keri loved that the Big Muscle Playtime class reinforced everything he was learning in physical therapy. Also, Pace was able to see other children his age practice the same skills. In fact, some of the first standing he ever did was in that class. Keri also practiced with Pace taking steps in the gym because the padded floor was a perfect base for him. Through the Big Muscle classes Pace's confidence has grown in terms of wanting to be more independent and explore own his own.
Pace was extremely engaged in the music class. He was timid and shy and rarely left Keri's lap but she loved watching the look of awe in his eyes as he watched the musicians and the other children. With this class they could keep Pace's suction machine (for the trach) right by them and use as needed. Pace loved the music and soon found ways to create his own band with kitchen pots and pans.
One of Keri's most memorable days in the class was right before Pace's surgery to remove his trach. The Kidville Band sang the song Ooh Child, Things are Going to Get Easier.
"I was holding Pace, we were dancing and he was smiling and giggling. He obviously had no clue he was "different" and that every other child in the room didn't have to go through a thirty minute trach cleaning session on a daily basis". Keri said in this class it clicked for her. She realized that even if it wasn't time for his trach to come out, that Pace was going to be fine and happy.
Pace is currently enrolled in Kidville University where he got to experience another milestone. During snack time one particular day, Pace had swallowed part of a goldfish cracker! He had never eaten part of a goldfish cracker ever! He was incredibly proud of himself as were his parents and his KVU teachers!
For Keri, Kidville allowed her whole family to grow and thrive.
They even had Pace's 3rd birthday here!
"For children that might have complex medical needs, Kidville provides a great environment for the parents to have a big of "normalcy" in their chaotic world that probably includes tons of doctors appointments and therapies. I think it also allows all children a place to grow as individuals and most importantly, have fun!"
Keri and Pace are definitely loved by each of our staff!
Kidville is an even brighter place when Pace's smile lights up the room!
