Learning about Feeding/Swallowing: An International Pediatric Perspective

I was thrilled to welcome new SLP friends from Europe who traveled to Chicago to learn along with me! Florentine (left) from The Netherlands, and Heida (right) from Iceland.  Between them, they traveled over 7000 miles to be with me for 5 days. Despite our geographic distance, our infant and pediatric patents are so similar, as are the challenges we face each day. Their approaches and physician/institutional influences really are not all that different but their wisdom in thriving with different and less abundant resources were an eye opener for all of us. International perspectives on feeding and swallowing always round out conversations at my courses. It has been my pleasure over the years to welcome an ENT from Saudi Arabia, a pediatric dentist from Japan and in-the-trenches therapists from other far way places including Spain, Greece, the UK, South Africa, Australia, India, The United Arab Emirates, Ireland and Israel. Needless to say, my brain is on fire after the chance to share our passion for helping infants and children with feeding and swallowing problems. And it is great to have contacts for future problem-solving that literally span the globe! Safe travels to my new friends, Florentine and Heida!

Leave a Reply