Kashi Grossman is a detective. Her mystery? The inner workings of the bedwetting child

Kashi Grossman, OTR, gives occupational therapy, encouragement, and practical steps to families with children who struggle with bedwetting and a lack of control over their basic bodily functions. In a situation that causes deep isolation and shame, Kashi Grossman is the warm, professional harbinger of hope.

Answering the Call

Esty’s* eyes reflected utter desperation.

As a pediatric occupational therapist based in Passaic, NJ, for over three decades, I worked with hundreds of children in public and private schools in my area, as well as a local sensory clinic. The kids I saw on a daily basis ranged in age from preschool through high school. Esty was one of the mothers.

At the clinic, we had recently noticed a troubling phenomenon.

“Do you notice that some of the kids smell?” one of my colleagues asked me hesitantly. We compared notes and realized that it was very prevalent. And not only that, but some of our patients were also constantly wet, clearly from involuntary accidents. We were working on so many different areas with the kids, but somehow, we’d missed this crucial piece. So when a colleague mentioned that she was taking a course for OTs and PTs on pediatric bowel and bladder conditions, I decided to sign up. It couldn’t hurt to know a little more about something affecting so many youngsters I saw every day.

During a therapy session with Moishy, one of the older boys in the practice, I casually mentioned to his mother, Esty, that I was taking the course.

She looked at me, her face taut with strain, and finally whispered, “We have problems.”

I was shocked — both at the idea that this big boy still struggled with such issues, and at the raw desperation etched across his mother’s face. It was a cry for help echoing through the silence, and I suddenly knew that I wanted to answer that call.