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'Help Me Grow' provides early intervention for triplets
As she prepared to celebrate her triplet boys' first birthday
recently, Kathleen, who lives in Dublin, Ohio recalled the vital assistance
she and her young family received from Jewish Family Services'
Help Me Grow program.
"The triplets were born at 32 weeks - eight weeks premature -
and the doctors told me that they could be at risk for
developmental delays," said Kathleen. "We were put in touch with
Jewish Family Services' Help Me Grow program and they arranged for
a developmental evaluation given by the Franklin County Board of
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD). Following the evaluation, my service coordinator with Help
Me Grow coordinated the boys' therapies with an MRDD early
intervention teacher.
"That early intervention for physical and occupational therapy
made all the difference," Kathleen remarked.
At first the triplets were seen twice a month, then as they
progressed, their visits were dropped back to once a month.
"Thank goodness the boys are fine now, and in fact, they've canceled the
physical therapy for all three of them because they no longer
need it," added Kathleen. One of the triplets has a tiny bit of a problem with
one hand, and he will work with the occupational therapist for a
little while longer. But other than that, they're all very
healthy. They're such good boys."
Jewish Family Services also assisted Kathleen and her four sons (she
also has an eight-year-old son) when she and her husband
separated not long after the triplets' birth.
"JFS helped me qualify for respite, which helped me pay for a
care provider while I'm at work," she stated . "They also gave me money toward
a deposit on our new home after my husband and I separated."
"JFS has been extremely helpful to us," said Kathleen. "My case
worker Julie and I talk at least monthly, and she
also has been out to see us quite a few times. She also helped
us find clothes and toys for the children at Christmas time. My oldest son, who never wanted a birthday party for
himself, told me that we should have a party for his brothers
and invite everyone who touched us this year. We
have truly been blessed with all of the help we've received, and
are very thankful for the assistance provided to us by Jewish
Family Services."
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