This might get messy!
Because Dexter has trouble coordinating his muscles, he has difficulty with feeding himself.
We feed him. (We should probably give him more opportunities to feed himself, but it takes a long time and he gets tired with the effort and concentration. It's hard to fit everything in.)
To understand what it is like for someone to have to feed you...
Let someone feed you dinner.
Dexter's non-verbal, so while you are being fed, don't talk to the person feeding you. (But, they should be talking to you.)
At some stage, refuse to eat. When the feeder starts to feel frustrated because you won't eat, burp. Make them feel guilty for trying to force food into you.
No doubt, they will forget to give you a drink, so... at some stage during your meal, refuse to eat until they give you a drink.
And, for fun, spit every fourth mouthful of food out.
People with cerebral palsy often use far more energy than most people, so many people with cerebral palsy might be on high-calorie diets. Dexter is.
So, for this meal, it's ok to eat something with lots of calories!
Dexter is still learning to chew, so his food is mashed.
Some people with cerebral palsy can feed themselves, can chew and bite and use cutlery. Some people with cerebral palsy have feeding tubes, so don't 'eat' meals like you do.
Some people with cerebral palsy will always need to be fed, even into adulthood.
#raisingawareness #cerebralpalsy
High Calorie Diet
I Remember. Aunty Carol’s Version
Dexter’s Days
Dexter’s Darkest Days
Dexter’s 2013
Who is Dexter?
Celebrating Courage
Dexter's First Month
Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
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