The Legislature

My post on the Bad of Tube Feeding will have to wait.  I've been preparing ALL night for our 2 minute testimony for the legislature tomorrow about the Early Intervention Program.  Jayson and I will be attending a legislative committee meeting attempting to convince congressmen to preserve the funding that is threatened to be cut.  If it is, there will only be enough funding for 1% of the delayed baby population.  Right now, EI is servicing 7%.  It would be devastating for all of those babies to lose services, and potentially Jayson.  Here is my testimony and my plea.  I hope it touches their hearts in the morning!

I want you all to imagine one of your children at 2 months of age.  Small, cute, perfect.  Imagine that one day in a flash your life changed.  He suddenly was on oxygen, had a feeding tube placed down his nose, and was hooked to all sorts of monitors.  Just as you’re digesting all of these changes, a doctor tells you words that take your breath away and break your heart, “Your child has a genetic syndrome.  He will not develop like typical children; he will have disabilities.  

This is our story.  Jayson’s health problems and delays were difficult to digest.  We received comfort knowing that we would not be doing it alone.  Two different Early Intervention therapists have been coming to our home to provide services for feeding, speech, occupational, physical, and vision therapy.  That’s a lot of therapy for a baby!  For those of you who had children, I bet many of them just rolled over one day.  I would imagine most of your children learned to pick up a cheerio and eat it effortlessly.  Not my son.  He has had to be shown and taught how to do natural things, and he has to practice a lot, every day.  I have two master’s degrees in elementary education, but I did not know how to teach a baby to do these things.  I didn’t know there were nine developmental steps to getting a child to pick up and eat a Cheerio.  Without the help of the therapists, I do not think Jayson would have learned to pick up a Cheerio last week.    In fact, I do not know that he would be lifting his head, pushing up on his arms, tracking objects with his eyes or saying momma at this point in time without the services he receives.  Jayson’s developmental progress and ability to meet his potential is in your hands.

Imagine the skills Jayson will acquire by the time he enters elementary school.  Imagine Jayson’s friends who may be caught up by the time they enter preschool.  Imagine the money saved by addressing developmental delays early.  Imagine the impact your decision has on Jayson and his friends.  Help them reach their potential.   Please, give this program the funding it needs to serve Utah babies and families.  Thank you.

Tristin West