darajaney....
your stories just rock. i have spent more than one afternoon binging several of them until i read them all. and having read them all, i have noticed a minor problem with a couple, this one included.
on more than one occasion, and using this one as an example, there are times when you drop a plot element into a story with no lead up, and no real aftermath. the couple of occasions you've done it, left sort of an 'empty spot' in the story. for example, in this one, you had the social worker come and check on Jake for what is ultimately a pretty big turning point. however, she came, did her thing, and left, and what could've been a very exciting scene, was merely left as sort of, "there. that's over. deal with it." true, overall a very small part of a big story, but your overall quality is better than that. but again, recall.... i REALLY love your stories.
now since you seem open to suggestions, there are elements in this story, and perhaps future stories, that could be addressed. for example, hands. Jake's hands have been under restraint for a VERY long time. at no point in the story do you hint that he's had proper use of them since his initial dressing in them. well, it might be 'fun' at some point for it to be discovered that his hand muscles have atrophied to the point of near uselessness. imagine his reaction.
also, there might be something done about his teeth. on basically a soft food diet, there might be some vitamin deficiency where his teeth get looser and looser. a dentist could declare they can't be saved. reactions would be nice to see all around. and don't forget Jake's 'girlfriend' either.
last thing, and this isn't just a thing with your stories but stories of this type in general. the pacifier's and speech. no kid Jake's age is just going to grunt through a paci when severe life changes are happening to him. there are going to be some real vocal protests against them, unless there are very direct punishments to 'train' them not to speak, or maybe ONE BIG punishment, of surgically altering his tongue and/or vocal cords.
all that being said, i hope you took the criticism as it was intended, in a friendly way, and by all means, PLEASE KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR IMMENSE EFFORTS IN THIS! YOU ARE APPRECIATED!
Fondly,
Juliet