Q & A...FINALLY

I told you I might be slow but I will answer! ;)

1. "I'm studying to be a SLP (speech language pathologist) and have been very interested in all the swallowing therapy that your little man gets. Is Ms. Vicki an O.T. (occupational therapist) or a S.L.P.? Is this at Primary Children's Medical Center?"

Ms. Vicki (who we LOVE) is a SLP. She has taken a lot of extra classes in pediatric swallowing and that is her main focus. She does not have any extra certification because to become a specialist in swallowing the only certification focuses on adult swallowing and she was most wanting to work with children. So instead of getting that extra certification she just took extra classes in the pediatric swallowing and has been doing it now for a long time. She actually works for Utah State University in Logan and runs a clinic there as well as teaches classes. During the school year we have students that work with her and Dakota as part of their hands on stuff. It is fun and they are great but I really see the biggest improvements with Dakota when she works with him alone in the summer. Can't say enough about her!! Before we started working with her everyone told me she is the best in northern Utah. Don't have anything to compare her to but we sure like her! If you would like to contact her and get more info I'm sure she would be happy to talk to you...just let me know! Good luck with your studies!


2. I keep dreaming of running...any tips on getting started? Really, just start?

So many people tell me what a great runner I am and that they could NEVER do a marathon let alone run a 5k...but the truth is honestly ANYONE can! You would be amazed at the variety of people you see...all shapes, sizes, ages, athleticism, etc at the start line of a marathon. I remember being shocked at my first one because I was SO nervous...can I really do this??? Then seeing old men, bigger woman, literally HUGEST variety of people up there and I thought...if they can do it I can do it. I still remember a guy probably in his late 50's or 60's telling someone he runs a marathon EVERY MONTH!! What?! I thought HOW does his body keep up with that??

Getting over that mental block of "I can't do it" or "it's too hard" or "it hurts" is the biggest challenge to become a runner. Trust me...it's still hard for me, it still hurts me...but I do it anyways. Believe in yourself. I didn't really start running (besides being forced to in sports) until I was done with college ball. I still remember my first 10k (6 miles) thinking "I can't believe I just ran 6 miles...that is SO far!) Now that is just an average day of running. I felt the same thing about a half and thought I could NEVER run a full...run that twice...that's for CRAZY people. Now I'm that crazy person! Some days you feel great, other days you think you are gonna die...it's normal. I think the first couple miles are ALWAYS the hardest because your body hasn't warmed up. So don't give up after the first mile...keep going...push through. The farther you get and the faster you become...you will build up confidence in yourself and get better and better...you seriously just have to believe. (I know that sounds so lame but it is true). Be consistent. If I take a week or two off it is a struggle to get back to where I was before that. If you think you are going to get better at it if you run sometimes, stop for awhile and go back you won't. It won't get any easier! Start with a couple miles and if you HAVE to stop then walk for a second but TRY your hardest to push through...even if you have to go slow. You will feel SO good and be SO happy when you finish!

Some people say I love to run! I don't LOVE running. I love the feeling I get when I am done. I love the way it makes me feel the rest of the day. I love the energy it gives me. I love being outside and talking with the girls as I run...sometimes it is my therapy in 2 ways! ;) I think finding someone to do it with you is great too if you can. You can push each other and help each other...and when you talk you forget about the pain.

Hope this is helpful. I'm no running coach...this is from Tessie chapter 11 and maybe what works for me won't work for everyone! ;)