This Feeding Tube Awareness Week, we're excited to spotlight Aveanna patient AJ. His journey is a testament to the life-changing impact a feeding tube and an incredible support system can have.
AJ was born at 29 weeks gestation, weighing only 2 pounds. He had his G-tube placed 13 months later and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 2 years old. Despite the challenges he faced in those early days, AJ has since made amazing progress. Over the past eleven years, his feeding tube has helped him gain weight, improve his health, and maintain an active lifestyle with his family.
"AJ's feeding tube helped him so much with weight gain and gave him the time he needed to grow and learn how to eat by mouth," his mom shares. "Now he is a bottomless pit eating by mouth during the day and just has tube feedings at night to make sure he gets enough calories."
Through the years, AJ's mom, dad, and sister have been committed to making his progress possible and helping him live an active lifestyle filled with things he loves. "We are always pushing for a better quality of life for AJ," his mom notes. "We try to make things as normal as possible for him. We find ways to make it work and adapt to his needs."
AJ's feeding tube is one of those adaptations that helps him live the life he wants. Another is his new bike. AJ's dad is part of a bike club, and AJ has always loved to watch him ride. "We knew he wanted to bike and that we had to find a way for him," AJ's mom explains. But adaptive bikes can be difficult to get. Luckily, AJ has a determined and creative family. His dad found an old corn cart bike and adapted it himself to fit AJ's wheelchair. Now AJ doesn't have to just watch his dad bike - he gets to join him!
AJ's bike has brought him so much joy and is just one example of the way his family prioritizes his health and happiness. As they help AJ live his best life with a feeding tube, they have been supported by one of Aveanna's telephonic nurses, Angie. Angie helps them find creative solutions for AJ's tube feeding to ensure that he can stay active and thriving.
"Angie has been part of AJ's care team for 11 years," his mom says. "She is amazing. Any time there's an issue with AJ's feeding tube or supplies, Angie or one of the other nurses takes care of it. We send Angie first day of school pictures and reach out to her for advice on feedings whenever AJ is sick. She means so much to our family."
Angie has made a huge difference in AJ's life, helping him get the nutrition he needs to thrive. Along with his fantastic family, she supports AJ in his health goals and celebrates all his milestones. We can't wait to see how AJ continues to grow and succeed with help from his feeding tube, family, and Aveanna team.