Answers

I wanted to first thank all of you who sent me comments, e-mails, etc. Thank you so much for being there for me, while I had a mini-meltdown :o)

I have a few questions to answer. I have been meaning to respond, and I am sorry it has taken me so long.

Wonder Me This Land asked:

I am completely curious on why the breathing treatments assist with Aviana speaking, and what the other benefits are to her therapies?

Her tank is made up of 80% oxygen, and 20% carbon dioxide. We shake the tank, and then, throughout the day, do 10 ~ 30 second breathing treatments. A child Aviana's weight, and age normally breathes about 1-2 liters of oxygen per minute. With the tank she is forced to breathe oxygen at a rate of 15 liters per minute.

The mixture works in the same way, the daily masks (crazy looking plastic bag on her face) work for her. She breathes carbon dioxide to dilate her blood vessels, which then in turn, has her breathing more oxygen.

A brain injured person's number one problem in life is respiration. Because they take shallow breaths, they are not able to talk, walk, eat, everything. All of the various respiration treatments (masking, patterning, overnight patterning machine, the tank, etc) work to improve her respiration. They all work to teach her how to take deeper breaths.

All of these respiratory therapies, help with every aspect of her existence...her rigidity, her seizures, her eating, her sleeping, her speaking, everything.

I hope that wasn't clear as mud :o) If ever you have another question, I promise not to take that long in answering!

**********************************************************************************

Stephanie ~ I ran out of time, but I will definitely be back with a ♥♥♥ heart ♥♥♥ tutorial!!

I love it, Maya is so right, when you learn, teach!

We are off for a day of fun with Uncle Roger!