Feeding Tube Buddy Program

Trained volunteer caregivers serve as mentors to support parents beginning their Feeding Tube journey. They connect virtually—by phone, text, email, or Zoom.

Meet Our Feeding Tube Buddy Mentors

Ashley

Hello, my name is Ashley and this is my oldest son, Ronan. He received his g-tube in January of 2008 due to pharyngeal dysmotility and aspiration related to a stroke. Becoming a g-tube parent was a whole new world to navigate. It was a difficult time with so much to learn. That first year was hard and lonely not having others that understood what we were going through or those that may have advice or useful tips. My son still has his g-tube (15 years later) and also eats by mouth. I am happy to share my experience with others and help parents start their journey with g-tubes.

Brianna

My name is Brianna and I have been a feeding tube mom since 2019. My son Andy was born at 28 weeks premature and got his feeding tube after having a tracheostomy at 3 months old. He was unable to even attempt taking anything orally until he was about 8 months old. The gtube has allowed Andy to learn how to eat and drink orally at his own pace. Navigating the path to oral eating has been a long and winding one, full of stress and anxiety about the future. But Andy is doing great currently as a 6 year old who eats primarily by mouth. I hope to help other parents starting this journey.

Brittany

Hi there! My name is Brittany. I am a mother of 21 children, 14 of whom have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Nine of our children have been dependent on g-tubes for various amounts of time and for a variety of different reasons. When my son first received his g-tube, I remember feeling very overwhelmed. Eventually, his g-tube became one of the most comforting parts of my son's care, but it was a process. By participating in the mentor program, I hope to connect with other families, share experiences and provide support so that no family has to feel alone in this journey. Life takes a village!

Clara

This is my beautiful daughter Jayla! Her g-tube was placed in October 2010 because she was aspirating. One thing I wish I had known before she was discharged was more g-tube tips that would have saved me from multiple trips to the ED. It also would have been great to know that I wasn't alone and there there were other parents that went through similar situations. Jayla's tube came out in August 2013. I learned so much and welcome any opportunity to share my experience with others.

David

Hello! My name is David, and my daughter, Ellie, has a MIC-KEY gastrostomy feeding tube. Ellie received her tub before she left the NICU, so she’s had it almost her whole life! Having a child with a g-tube and everything that goes with it was not something my wife and I expected, but we are thankful for it. Ellie has been able to receive all of her nutrition, hydration, and medications without us having to stress. My goal is to offer support and share experience, so you don’t feel isolated in your g-tube experience. Welcome to the g-tube community!

Holly

My daughter, Evelyn, is a Heart Warrior! Due to this diagnosis, she struggles to gain and maintain her weight. We opted for a g-tube when she was just 3 months old since she was unable to eat orally and was, at the time, using an NG tube for nutrition. The challenges of the NG tube far surpasses that of a g-tube. Evelyn's g-tube was placed on February 21, 2023. When we went home with the g-tube, we were always scared that it would get dislodged! But with the support of our Gastroenterology team and our home care nurse, we gained more confidence with replacements and feedings. I am grateful for the experiences we have had and are glad we can share those experiences with others!

Jen

This is my amazing son Henry. He had a g-tube placed in fall of 2021 due to numerous unknown allergies and failure to thrive. He is now a preschooler, thriving with his g-tube in place. I have learned so much from caring for a child with a g-tube, to supporting his emotional/social well-being. Caring for a medically complex child felt isolating, so I look forward to connecting with new g-tube caregivers to share my support and lessons learned.

Kelley

Hi, I'm Kelley, mother to Melina who's been a tubie since she was 3 years old after a continuous battle with not being able to eat due to an intestinal condition. She's battled for many years with an intestinal gut motility conditions and colonic pseudo-obstruction disorder. My second son Rowan if also a tubie and has been since he was 18 months old for slow growth and development. No matter your story, I am so happy to be a part of the start to your tubie journey!

Kelly

My name is Kelly. My youngest son, Eli (7 in May), has had a feeding tube for 6 years. He started with an NG tube when he was a year old in May of 2017 and received his g-tube in April of 2018. He started with an NG tube due to Failure to Thrive and FPIES (Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome). He did not have a safe food until he was 2.5 years old. He now has about 20 safe foods and is slowly working to gain more. He is about 98% dependent on his g-tube for his daily nutrition, as he struggles to eat orally. My oldest son, Grant (11), was transferred to the NICU from our local hospital and spent some time in the NCU when he was born due to issues with his kidney, lungs, and thyroid. When Eli first received his feeding tube, I felt so alone, so I am excited to be a part of this program to support families on their new adventure.

Kerri

Hi, I'm Kerri, a proud mom of three amazing children: my daughters, Lauren and Haley, and my son,Jacob.Jacob was born premature and has faced complex medical challenges since birth. Over the past 26 years, he has required an NG tube, G-tube, G/J-tube, and currently uses a Mic-Key button. Navigating the medical complexities of-caring for a child with special healthcare needs can be overwhelming, exhausting, and at times, incredibly isolating. Through our family's journey, I've learned not only how to manage Jacob's medical needs, but also how to advocate, adapt, and connect with others walking similar paths. Today, I'm passionate about using my experiences to support and empower families facing similar challenges. Whether it's helping parents navigate medical equipment, providing emotional encouragement, or simply offering a listening ear, I'm here to walk alongside you.

Mallory

Hi! I'm Mallory, My son Asher was born with end-stage renal failure which made it a lot harder for him to keep up with eating. Asher had an NG tube for the first 7 months of his life. He would fluctuate on and off the NG at first, but ultimately, we decided he needed it. He got a G-tube after 7 months which was so much easier. He used this for nutrition and medicine for about 3 years. He then used it only for water and medicine until he was finally able to have it removed around 7 1/2 years old. Asher had a kidney transplant at 22 months old, so the G-tube was a life-saver. It made sure he always got enough water to keep his kidney happy and healthy. We were very resistant to both the NG and the G-tube, but they ended up making life way easier. We no longer had to play what I called "the feeding game." There was no longer a fight to make sure he got what he needed. I am excited to help those that are going through a similar struggle.