#36. Courageous Caregiving: A Single Mother's Reflection on Navigating Complications & Overcoming Challenges in Caring for Her Handicapped Daughter with Penney Day

Join us in this episode of the podcast as we talk with Penney Day, a dedicated single mother to a 26-year-old handicapped daughter who she has been caring for at home. Penney shares her journey of dealing with various complications during pregnancy and birth, such as post-birth complications, NICU, seizures, and surgeries like g-tube placements. She talks about the challenges of diagnosis, accessing state-run programs and schooling, and navigating support systems. We also delve a little into the topics of milestones and delays in motor skills and cognitive development. As a fitness instructor and teaching classes for over a decade, she is passionate about helping others achieve their fitness goals and has a talent for motivating people to push themselves to their limits. Penney's dedication to fitness has been a constant source of strength and inspiration for her, helping her to stay positive and focused in the face of adversity. She believes that exercise is not just good for the body but also for the mind and soul. Aside from her fitness work, Penney is also an avid reader, has a curious mind, and enjoys working on DIY projects around the house. Through her hard work, perseverance, and love for her daughter, Penney has become a role model for many in her community. Her positive attitude, caring nature, and commitment to health and fitness are an inspiration to all who know her. Mentioned on the show: Best Buddies International - https://www.bestbuddies.org 2getherwelive - https://www.2getherwelive.com/ Movies & Documentary mentioned: The Willowbrook Case - ⁠https://youtu.be/qzNFRn5TTtc⁠ The Peanut Butter Falcon The Fundamentals of Caregiving Terminology mentioned: Nasogastric tubes (NG tube) are typically used for decompression of the stomach in the setting of intestinal obstruction or ileus, but can also be used to administer nutrition or medication to patients who are unable to tolerate oral intake Phenobarbital is a class C-IV control substance, and it is used for its sedative and anti-seizure properties in patients with status epileptics and alcohol withdrawal management.  Vigabatrin is a medication used in the management and treatment of infantile spasms and refractory complex partial seizures. It is in the anti-epileptic class of medications. ACTH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. This medicine is injected into the thigh muscle to reduce infantile spasms. Infantile spasms (IS) is a type of epilepsy that usually occurs in babies and is often associated with development problems.G-tube - A tube inserted through the wall of the abdomen directly into the stomach. It allows air and fluid to leave the stomach and can be used to give drugs and liquids, including liquid food, to the patient. Giving food through a gastrostomy tube is a type of enteral nutrition. Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is diagnosed when children show abnormal visual responses that aren't caused by the eyes themselves. When CVI is suspected, fixation and following — even to intense stimulation — may be poor, and the child will not respond normally to people's faces. Podcast Transcript: https://wordpress.com/page/pocketsofknowledge.com/235 ——— Enjoy this Podcast? Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired & empowered! Questions? You can contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/desireedstanley/. Thanks for listening! For more updates and episodes, visit the website. ——— This podcast is intended to educate, inspire and empower you on your personal journey. This is not intended to treat any medical condition. I am not a medical doctor and do not offer any professional health or medical advice. If you are suffering from any medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional.