Targeted Nutritional Intervention
There is great controversy within the medical community, and parents of children with Down Syndrome, about the safety and value of using TNI for our children. This page is not intended to debate the pros and cons, simply to provide parents a place to begin their search for information regarding TNI. Jonah is currently using Nutrivene D, along with Piracetam. He has made great strides, both in his health and his physical development, but I in NO WAY mean to imply that the sole reason for this is because of the nutritional supplements we give him. Jonah has worked VERY hard, endured months of therapies, and has had countless people praying for him, and he is developing nicely due to a combination of all factors involved. Jonah's main source of motivation and therapy stem from living in the house with a 5 year old sister and 4 year old brother, just like any other child!! I DO believe that there are benefits from the TNI, and currently I use this as part of the approach we are using to help Jonah reach his fullest potential. But never do I forget that ultimately, Jonah is going to be who Jonah is going to be, because that's the way God made him. No amount of intervention, be it physical therapy, speech therapy, or nutritional intervention, can change God's plan for Jonah's life. Nor am I trying to do so. Jonah has taught me about unconditional love and acceptance, and I can finally say that I DO ACCEPT his strengths and limitations, just as I accept those of my other children. For those of you struggling to make the decision to use or not use TNI, I empathize. I searched and prayed for months before coming to peace with my decision. For those of you who have reached your decision, and it's different than mine, I ask for acceptance, and the right to freely state my viewpoints, just as I respect yours. I truly believe in the old adage, "We can never fail our children, as long as we try." The decision to use TNI as part of your child's educational and medical protocol is a very personal one, made between yourselves and your child's doctor. Some of my closest new friends, who have children with Down Syndrome, are NOT using TNI with their children, and they remain my closest friends, and I respect their decisions, and admire the hard work and determination they exhibit in helping their children reach their fullest potential. We are all striving for the same thing, we are just taking different paths. May God direct you in your decisions for your child! Remember, before beginning ANY nutritional supplement, check with your child's doctor.
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