Oliver, 2 years old, Hermosa Beach, CA

“It may seem unusual, but I started working with Melissa when I was four months old. But then, I’d had already had an eventful start to life, so by the time Melissa came into our world, my parents were very ready and open to her assistance. I’d been born two months prematurely, so at four months old, I was still a teeny guy. And in spite of spending the first month of my life at the hospital, in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, overall I was quite healthy. “We just don’t feel like he’s fully here”, my parents would say – and of course, they didn’t mean in the physical sense. Since that’s not the typical complaint one takes to their pediatrician, my parents were very curious when a mutual friend insisted that Melissa pay me a visit and address their concern.

Of course, we had no idea what to expect and me – well, I was a little skittish. I’d been born into an environment that was so full of machines, monitors and different people caring for me that weren’t my Mom and Dad.

But when Melissa sat down and spoke so gently to me, I knew I could trust her. And I did….we spent time together and I let her help me find my footing and feel more ‘grounded’ in my new world. After some time of talking with me, and my Mom and Dad, Melissa let my Mom know she was done and I could be picked up and held.

In that moment, I looked right into my Mom’s eyes, in a way I’d never done before. I was really here and I was home.

It’s now almost two years later and even though I’m a walking, talking toddler, Melissa is still a special friend to me. She’s helped me through high fevers, ear infections, weaning from breastfeeding (and I really loved to nurse), recovery from immunizations and is a great help even if my Mom’s just scratching her head or in a quandary over something I’m up to.

Thanks Melissa!“
Oliver, 2 years old, Hermosa Beach, CA