Two nights ago, The Vest arrived at our house and last night, a respiratory therapist came over to show us how to use it and decide which level was good for Maggie. What is The Vest? The Vest is an amazing tool for people living with cystic fibrosis and other respiratory conditions. It replaces chest physical therapy, which involved us moving Maggie into different positions and pounding on her lungs (chest, sides and back) with little percussers or our hands. The Vest compresses and vibrates and shakes lose any mucus and gunk that is settling in the lungs. It helps to keep things moving and to avoid infection – key in cystic fibrosis treatment.
As any toddler probably would, Maggie wanted nothing to do with The Vest. She had already worn it at her CF clinic last week so that we could fit her for the correct size. And while she did great at clinic, she wasn’t into doing it again. But The Vest would open up a new world for our family and we adults knew that. It would mean we could do more than watch a video during PT. We could play a game, we could read, we could color, we could build with blocks or Maggie could watch a video on her own, without us moving her around and holding her down. And when she’s older, it will allow her to be more independent. Imagine going to college and asking your new stranger of a roommate to pound on your chest, back and sides twice a day (more if you’re sick) for you so that you can breathe. Awkward.
So how do you get a toddler to do what you want her to do? We tried asking her which video she wanted to watch. The response was, “No video.” We tried threatening her that Grandma and Grandpa would leave and go home. She said, “Bye, Bye.” So my husband and the therapist decided we should try again another day. I said no way.
I went and got a peanut butter cup and asked Maggie if she wanted it. She said yes, of course. And I informed her that she could have it if she put on her new vest. She put that vest on so fast and begged for someone to open that peanut butter cup, which we did. She sat there with The Vest on for 10 minutes and watched her video. Yes, I bribed my toddler.
So this morning, I gave her a choice. I told her that I could use the “PTers” (percusser cups) for PT or she could use her vest. She chose The Vest and wore it for 15 minutes. And when it was over, she promptly asked for a peanut butter cup.