A mum has shared a video that shows her “hitting” her infant daughter to bring attention to the harsh realities of caring for a child with cystic fibrosis.
UK woman Samantha Carrier posted a video of her daughter’s morning physiotherapy routine, which involves the parent repeatedly slapping baby Daisy Evan’s chest, on Facebook.
The Birmingham mother explained that the treatment was performed for 25 minutes, three times a day from when Daisy was just over two weeks old to try to shift mucus and prevent lung damage.
“I realise this is shocking if you don’t realise why,” she wrote.
“It doesn’t hurt her. We are taught how to do it properly so it doesn’t.
“Generally she just falls asleep. Or she lies there smiling at me. It makes them feel better.
“It’s like when we have an irritating cough and we finally get it off our chest, how much better we feel. This is what it does for them.”
However, not all viewers got the message, with several posting critical comments questioning if the treatment, known as chest percussion, was necessary.
“You’ll break her ribs,” one commented.
“You’re doing it too hard,” said another.
Ms Carrier even received a death threat, according to BBC Midlands.
Thankfully, this was overwhelmed by the majority of messages of sympathy and encouragement from supportive Facebook users.
"She looks so content, gorgeous little doll. You're doing amazing. Don't listen to the silly people who having pointless opinions," a supportive commenter wrote.
Top Comments
So typical of some able people to be unable to understand the actual relaties of disability and illness. It's infuriating.
It's not all inspiring memes and tear filled moments 99% of hard work and anger and pain and frustration and drudgery. It's not glamorous, it's reality. Sentiment sometimes needs to be left at the door.
I remember having a repeated severe chest infection as a kid and getting "postural drainage" several times a day to try and clear it. This involved my dad, with his large hands, doing the same thing - pounding my chest and back to try and give me some relief. To an outsider it could have looked rough but it was one of the only things that helped.
This mother is doing a fantastic job - I wish more people would read blogs properly before they comment.
Yup - repeated lung infections and my parents had to do the same thing. Felt weird but didn't hurt and once the mucus was up and out I felt like a new person!!