2011 Appeal Letter
 Dear Friends,
My daughter Logan’s life has been changed by Horizons’ Early Intervention and Family Support Programs. My name is Leigh Ann McLaughlin and I am writing to ask you to donate to Horizons’ 2011 Little Points of Light campaign.
When Logan was born by emergency caesarian section at 36 weeks, the umbilical cord was wrapped several times around her neck and chest. She had been deprived of oxygen and her heartbeat was irregular. For days we couldn’t hold or feed Logan; she had IV’s and tubes through her mouth, nose and bellybutton. It was the distress of her premature birth and our pediatrician’s recommendation that put Horizons on our radar.
In the first few months of Logan’s life, I would look into her eyes and feel like no one was there to look back at me. Logan didn’t seem to acknowledge much; she would look at me without really seeing me. After her traumatic birth, my husband Hugh and I weren’t sure for a long time if there was anything “wrong” with her.
We kept thinking Logan would meet her developmental milestones sooner or later. But she was missing her milestones and we were in denial. We went to all of the recommended appointments with out-of-town specialists. Horizons’ Family Support Program helped us with some of these costs. Ultimately, aside from the trauma of her birth, none of the doctors could identify a reason for Logan’s delays.
 While we were hoping for the best for Logan, we realized we weren’t actually doing what was best. We were initially hesitant to accept Horizons’ services. We feared that receiving services would be perceived as a reflection of our parenting instead of the reality that it is: all babies are not the same and therapy means hope. Finally, we decided to overcome our stigma of developmental delays and accept that Horizons should be part of our lives.
At six months old, Logan could sit for short periods of time but couldn’t put herself in that position or get out of it by herself. She would ignore most activity and toys on her left side. Logan was not eating solid foods and would take a long time to finish a bottle. At no cost to us, Horizons’ occupational therapist came to our home every week to show us activities we could do with the things we had around the house.
Logan has been receiving occupational and speech therapy for over a year now. Visits from Horizons’ therapists have been more than just opportunities to learn exercises for Logan. They have been opportunities for our family to be with people who care, listen, and offer hope. Now that Logan is two, she is walking nonstop and learning new words every week. Like every other two year old, she loves to be independent and will share her opinion about everything!
One of the best things that Horizons has done is to help us realize that a developmental delay means simply that—a delay. Instead of wondering what’s wrong with Logan and trying to find a problem, we have been allowed to wonder what she is capable of achieving. Horizons has helped us see that for every recognized milestone there are a multitude of intermediate steps to reach beforehand. Progress doesn’t look the same for everyone, and it doesn’t happen all at once. But we do know that with early intervention there is a window of opportunity. Logan is thriving in this opportunity along with everyone around her.
 I am asking you to donate any amount you can to Horizons’ 2011 Little Points of Light campaign. Money raised by this campaign goes directly to the Early Intervention and Family Support Programs, and I know from experience that every dollar counts. State and federal funding for these programs has been consistently cut and is insufficient to provide therapy for the children who need it. Early intervention is more effective the earlier it starts; what happens during a child’s first three years of life stays forever. Your donation can help change a life
Thank you, Leigh Ann McLaughlin and the McLaughlin family: Hugh, Addison (4) and Logan (2)
P.S. Now, when I look into Logan’s eyes, I see Logan looking back at me.
Horizons’ Board of Directors made a commitment years ago to provide Early Intervention to every eligible child regardless of funding. Contributions through Little Points of Light have helped us honor that commitment.
2010 Appeal Letter
Dear Friends,
 My name is Carrie Kleckler and I am writing to ask you to support Horizons’ 2010 Little Points of Light campaign. This campaign raises funds to support Horizons’ Early Intervention and Family Support Programs, which offer services to children birth to three years of age and have enriched my life, my son’s life, and my family’s life.
Horizons became part of our world shortly after the birth of our son Lewis, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome. The diagnosis threw us into a tailspin of shock and grief. At first, all we could do was cry.
Babies born with Down syndrome often endure other significant health problems such as heart defects, intestinal and upper respiratory problems, vision and hearing impairments, and vertebrae instability. Though Lewis had a heart defect and feeding difficulties, he was able to come home from the hospital two days after his birth; his siblings and grandparents adored him instantly. The grief we felt was quickly replaced with acceptance and joy. We grew eager to find out exactly what Lewis was going to need.
 Lewis’ pediatrician referred him to Horizons. Horizons’ Service Coordinator called us the very next day. Hearing her kind, encouraging voice on the phone was a great comfort. She started the process of lining up services for Lewis.
Achieving typical motor skills milestones for babies born with Down syndrome is difficult because of low muscle tone, muscle weakness, loose joints and shorter-than average limbs. When Lewis was two months old, Horizons’ Occupational Therapist came to our home to work with Lewis and me. She showed me different ways to hold him. She helped us problem solve around the house by modifying the high chair to give Lewis support to sit up straight while eating. She also recommended exercises to do with Lewis and adaptive equipment to make, borrow or buy. When we needed to purchase equipment, Horizons made sure we were reimbursed from Family Support funds.
 Lewis is now 13 months old, sitting up by himself and belly-crawling all over the house. There were times during those first few months when I couldn’t imagine ever making it to this point, but with Horizons’ help we are celebrating every new milestone Lewis reaches. Horizons has taught me how to work with Lewis, how to understand him better, and how to help him compensate for his physical, cognitive and language delays. Because of Horizons, I am a better advocate for my son.
Lewis will continue to need Early Intervention services throughout his childhood. Horizons will provide these services until we transition him to preschool. Knowing that assistance is available for him reassures us that Lewis is valued and will be cared for. Instead of being fearful about Lewis’ limitations, we are positive and excited about his potential.
Horizons has been a great support for us in other ways, too. When Lewis was diagnosed, I wanted to meet other families of children with Down syndrome to help me visualize what our future with Lewis might be like. Horizons helped me make connections with these families, and I learned what I needed most to know: I don’t have to do this alone.
 State and federal funding for Horizons’ Early Intervention and Family Support Programs is insufficient to meet the needs of families in northwest Colorado. Please consider contributing to this year’s Little Points of Light campaign to help ensure that children who need services will receive them. Providing services to children in their formative years reduces their risk of needing more extensive treatment in the future. Your tax-deductible donation is a gift that will change a life and last a lifetime.
Thank you, Carrie Kleckler and the Kleckler family: Kevin, Andrew (7), Jenna (4) and Lewis
Horizons works in partnership with families and communities to expand opportunities for individuals with, or at risk of, developmental disabilities. |
