I put this website up to reach out to others so that Nitara's struggles will count for something. I have been so moved to get these special messages from people who read Nitara's story. If you have a message, feel free to email at ACuppaChai@gmail.com . I will take all the encouragement and strength I can get.

I just wanted to thank you for making your notes about weaning Nitara from her feeding tube available. You've given me several good ideas of things to try (like white bread instead of wheat) as well as really inspiring me to believe I can do it! We see a feeding therapist weekly who's very low-pressure - also of the "throw away the high-chair" way of thinking. She believes in making the whole process fun. I've been down as we've hit a wall during recent colds, but it helps tremendously to hear you say that it's not unusual. Soon we'll try cutting back on one of her tube meals.You are so generous to share your thoughts & I just wanted to let you know it's appreciated!

I just wanted to say thatnk you for your posts on reflux and making your daughters journey available for all of us to read. AFter seeing a post of yours in health and wellness, I thought my dd may also have relux. I took her to our doc and he confirmed it. She's currently on reglan and zantac. I wouldn't have taken such fast action if it hadn't been for her story. Again, thank you!

Thank you so much for sharing Nitara's story. I've shared it with our health care professionals who find it a wonderful parent resource and I've shared it with a friend whose daughter is having her G-tube placed tomorrow.I was amazed by your honesty about your feelings. I find that when I vent my rage and fear even my closest friends and family lambaste me for it. Anyway, my daughter, 8 mo, is G-tube fed (heart baby with an NG tube since day 3; started with all the same nonsense as your daughter in October. G-tube placed on 11/21; MICkey to go in on 1/17). Until 3 weeks ago, she was eating 80-85% o her nutrition by mouth. She JUST started refusing the bottle in the past few weeks. No vomiting (well, not more than normal for a G-tube kid). Just shuts her lips and refuses. I'm working with GI and with feeding therapist, but I'm about to lose my mind. Your website was incredibly helpful; it's good to know I'm not alone. Best wishes and continued growth and health to your brave little girl.

Wow Darshani, I looked at your video of Sandifer's Syndrome and realized that is what my son matthew used to do when I breastfed him. I always thought it was that he didn't like breastfeeding and so I stopped. It all makes sense now and it actually makes me feel like it wasn't my fault that breastfeeding didn't work. Thank you so much for sharing your video.

I just discovered your web site after poking around Mothering.com for advice regarding feeding issues, and I wanted to thank you so much for sharing your experiences in such and open and honest way. I've read EVERYthing on your site, and it so closely matches everything we experienced- what a gift! When you have a child that is 'different' than others, it can be so hard to find people that really understand what it's like, and your photos and thoughts were so validating and reassuring. I really can't thank you enough. Again, what I wonderful gift. Thank you so much.

First I have to say, Nitara is beautiful! What a journey you guys have been through! As difficult as this journey was and is, your website helped me fully understand how devastating GERD can be for babies. I am a first year graduate student for Speech Language Pathology. I am currently taking a Dysphagia class and will be presenting on GERD. It so helped to put a face on the disease and you did such a great job of explaining its effects and your experience. I am definately going to give my class the link but was wondering if I could use some of your pictures. I think this will make a lasting impact on us as students who will be working with these children in the future. Thank you so much for sharing your story online so that even future professionals can learn from your experience. I have been researching GERD for sometime and most of what I read was technical and uninteresting. Nitara is delight! Again, thank you so much for taking some of your precious time to post this on the internet. I look forward to hearing from you.

Dear parents of Nitara
How are you and special how is Nitara doing today?
I am a male feeding nurse from Holland and my job is teaching, instruction and helping people with special needs. Special with feeding issues.
I came across some pictures of Nitara with her feeding tube on it and have read the internet site you have made.
It amazed me on the quality and quantity information you have put down there concerning feeding and tube issues.
Hereby I want to ask your permission to use some pictures of her for educational purpose only. So I can illustrate my teaching lessons.