My mother knew it was coming. Her tears were as predictable as winter snow and spring showers. She started crying halfway through the alphabet. By the time my twin brother and I received our diplomas, the tears were rolling down her cheeks. My mother couldn't help it, knowing everything we had to overcome to reach this day.
Jason and I were born a month premature. Jason weighted two pounds, I was only three. They were immediated to Children's Mercy Hospital. My mother will never forget that first 24 hours. "Doctors told us they weren't going to make it. I couldn't believe it. I was stunned. It wasn't until the next day that doctors said the twins would survive. However, they warned us the boys would be developmentally slow and small all their lives."
Jason and I were on respirators for 2½ weeks. They were patients at Children's Mercy for two months. Although the family's heath insurance covered the births, it didn't cover the growing stack of medical bills tied to the boys' care at Children's Mercy Hopital. Thanks to a fund supported by United Way for poor and under insured families, my family didn't end up penniless. It was the first of several helpful contacts the Tercey family had with United Way agencies.
Doctors soon discovered that Jason and I were both hearing impaired, and had mild Cerebral Palsy. At the age of two, Jason and I began attending Crippled Children's Nursery School, now called Children's TLC (anoter United Way agency). There Jason and I learned sign language and received untensive physical, occupational and speech therapy.
When we reached school age, most experts recommended sending us to a school for the deaf. Our mother refused, sending them to public school instead. "I knew the boys would have to survive in a hearing world after finishing school. I wanted to make sure they were prepared." My mother as our interpreter through third grade. Finally, after numerous letters and visits, my mother convinced school administrators and State Education officials that Jason and I were entitled to an 20 interpreters, under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Today the KCMO School District has 20 interpreters for hearing impaired students.
Another United Way agency helped my family's out when I was in third grade. I was having trouble with his fine motor skills. I needed a special desk to put his elbows up so I could write. My mother remembers, "Jean Baily-Smith of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) went to staffings with me. She served as Jeremy's advocate and helped us get the desk."
UCP continues playing a crucaial role in the lives of Jason and I. UCP and Kansas City Parks and Recreation co-sponsors an athletic program for disabled children called KC Power and Speed Company team. The program has helped me and Jason blossom as young men and athletes.
