| Please choose from the following inspiring
stories from clients of ReadyStart.
Madeline's Story
ReadyStart clients have experienced many successes over the past 25 years.
An example of one of the miracles is Madeline. At the age of 19, it's
hard to believe this beautiful young lady was diagnosed at birth with
spina bifida.
"When I was born, the doctor told my mom that I would never walk
and I wouldn't be able to speak." Madeline said. "A friend told my
mom about South Collin County Infant Program (now ReadyStart), and we
started physical therapy when I was 5 months old. The therapist would
show my mom how to do the exercises on my legs and told her to do them
2 times a day but my mom would do them 7 or 8 times. She worked so hard."
"When I was 1 1/2 years old, I started walking. I had braces for
about 3 months but then didn't need them" Madeline said. "Thanks
to ReadyStart, I'm where I am now. They gave me my foundation".
Madeline's mother, Kathleen volunteered at ReadyStart for several years before becoming
a part of the staff. Madeline says she and her mother also visit with families
who have babies born with spina bifida. Madeline graduated from Plano West
Senior High in December 2003 and began college in January 2004 at Collin
County Community College. The support she received from ReadyStart is
now allowing her the opportunity to pursue her interest in the performing
arts.
"Because of ReadyStart, I am able to dance, act, and model"
Madeline said, " I want to be the best I can be at what I do." Madeline
volunteers at ReadyStart and is an inspiration not only to families who
have children receiving services but also to the ReadyStart staff.
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Simon's Story
ReadyStart provides services such as physical, speech and occupational
therapy year round. Also available to families when necessary are nutritional
services, counseling and help for children with hearing impairments.
One family that has been helped by ReadyStart is the Baxton family. Michelle
and Mark Baxton's son Simon was born at Denton Regional Medical Center
in April 2003. At 5 months of age, he was diagnosed with a metabolic disorder
called glutaric aciduria. Because of brain damage caused by this disorder,
Simon lost his motor skills making him unable to crawl, walk or talk.
Simon began receiving services from ReadyStart in October 2004 after
being referred to ReadyStart from Cook Children's. With the help of ReadyStart
occupational and speech therapists, Simon at 2 years of age is now scooting
across the floor with some assistance. He sits up for longer periods of
time and his endurance has increased.
He has also become more verbal. His mother Michelle said, "ReadyStart
has provided new ideas for communicating with Simon." She said they
have introduced their family to adaptive technologies and equipment which
have been used in working with Simon's language skills.
The Baxton family wants to thank Dr. Susan Davis at Cook Children's ICU.
Michelle said "She is largely responsible for diagnosing Simon's
very rare metabolic disorder. She refused to give up testing and loved
our family during a difficult time."
They also appreciate Dr. David Goff along with his staff and associates.
"They have given our family very special and personal care. They
truly care about our family," Michelle said.
Thank you to all of those that support ReadyStart and the many therapists
who work each day to help these babies and toddlers reach their full potential.
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The Pattersons' Story
Like any new mother, Kelly Patterson experienced the joys and struggles
of being a first time mom. Kelly however had triplets, so her range of
new experiences was magnified.
Kelly gave birth to 3 boys Preston, Marcus and Tyler on October 20, 2002
at Medical Center of Plano. Born over 2 months early, Preston and Marcus
came home from the hospital when they were 8 weeks old. Tyler had to stay
until he was 12 weeks old. His longer stay was due to eating problems
which eventually led to a feeding tube and surgery for reflux, a condition
that caused his milk to not digest properly.
In February 2003, ReadyStart began providing Tyler with occupational therapy
and began addressing his feeding issues.
"I was unfamiliar with feeding therapy and how to help him."
Kelly said. "The ReadyStart therapist gave me a real comfort level
with the feeding tube like teaching me how to burp him differently. It
was all very overwhelming."
Kelly explained what a challenge it was to help Tyler learn to eat. She
described the variety of baby bottles she had to use, all dependent on
the mixture of milk and cereal they were going to experiment with at
that meal. "The entire day revolved around trying new techniques to help
Tyler eat" Kelly said.
"ReadyStart also provided nutritional information and feeding strategies
for Tyler, suggesting certain diagnostic options while evaluating Tyler's
swallowing and tongue coordination. They taught us exercises and skills
to practice. They also made sure we were comfortable with the exercises."
"The ReadyStart therapists helped us monitor his progress and were
always so encouraging" Kelly said.
Today, Tyler is a very happy child who is active, agile and coordinated.
He spends most of his days laughing, jumping and climbing with his two
brothers.
Kelly said, "ReadyStart educated us on how to imbed therapy into
our daily routine and helped us know when progress was being made. The
agency kept us aware of the up and coming milestones."
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Taylor's Story
I want to thank ReadyStart for their leadership and advocacy on behalf
of the children, particularly my daughter Taylor. I believe there is tremendous
value in this program in our local community, state and through-out the
country.
Raising children is both challenging and unpredictable, and this is especially
so since my beautiful daughter, Taylor arrived prematurely, at 28 weeks
gestation. Taylor began the program not long after coming home 1 day prior
to her original due date. The wonderful staff at ReadyStart came to our
home to do an assessment and began making return visits shortly thereafter
to work with Taylor. She worked with many of the staff on her fine and
gross motor skills, language and general development skills. We were lucky
enough to be able to have two therapists come to our home every month
to "play and have fun" with Taylor. We feel like they became
friends, and came to see Taylor because they were genuinely interested
in her, not because they were the people assigned to our case. Taylor
enjoyed, and I looked forward to every visit. Taylor graduated from the
program at 18 months, and has been making leaps and bounds in her development
since. I know that we can attribute a large portion of that to the great
head start she received in the ReadyStart program.
Today, Taylor is an independent little girl, getting ready for her 2nd
birthday, who I know has benefited from the kind and caring people that
came into our lives through ReadyStart. I want to thank you for the time
and dedication of your staff to this program, and to my daughter.
On behalf of the thousands of families and children across the state,
I thank you for your tireless efforts for our children.
Sincerely,
Taylor's Mother
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