Parents struggle to raise funds for children with special needs

BY ROSEMARY SMITH, Examiner editor

Naomi Sterling of Navasota is spearheading a grass roots effort to raise funds for playground equipment for special needs kids, including her 4-year-old son Hunter, who just began his third year as a student at John C. Webb Elementary School.

The playground is currently used by children throughout the county, ages 3-10, who are enrolled in the Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, but is not equipped to accommodate children with disabilities. The enclosed concrete area was adopted by the special needs class, since it is near the PPCD classroom and there was no other designated outdoor play area for the students.

“Since Hunter can’t walk, sometimes he spends recess sitting in a stroller,” said Sterling, who says it is a constant struggle to provide a sense of normalcy to children with special needs.

Though Hunter has been seen by plenty of specialists, he has not yet been given a diagnosis. His disabilities include the inability to walk, talk or eat table food.

The group hopes to have an area filled with equipment that is age-appropriate and suitable for children with any type of disability. According to PPCD teacher Lindsey Young, she has to be prepared for anything at all times, because law states that children with special needs can enroll in the program at age three, no matter what time of the school year their birthday falls on.

“We have to accept everyone and we have to be prepared. We might receive a child with Down Syndrome or one that can’t hold their head up,” said Young, who is one of two PPCD teachers at the school.

Young added that she did not ask the school district for help because of the current NISD budget deficit of approximately $391,000.

Principal Bill Murray, who met with PPCD staff and Mrs. Sterling last Friday, said though the group’s original plan called for $35,000 worth of equipment, based on an estimate from a prospective contractor, the group agreed to work on acquiring less expensive equipment at a faster rate.

The projected cost for commercial equipment is $15,000 and includes a sponge-type mat to cover the inner area. Murray said the group plans to approach the local Parent and Teacher Organization for assistance, as well as local businesses.

“We’re still looking for funds from the community,” said Murray.

Since the new plan is still in the beginning stages and a second professional opinion has not yet been obtained, it is unknown if a challenge could stem from the fact that the area was originally designed to be used as a storm drainage area.

“We’re thinking the water will drain around the mat,” said Murray.

Over the last year, Sterling and a small group of parents have raised approximately $5,000. Josh and Leigh Fultz of Navasota is one of the couples involved, though their daughter Jadyn, who has CHARGE syndrome, an extremely complex syndrome that involves extensive medical and physical difficulties, is only 18 months old and is not enrolled at the school yet.

“We have to be the best advocates for our children and I want to make sure my daughter is given every opportunity other children have. We’re the only ones who know what our children are going through, and you have to do everything in your power to make sure they’ll have the same opportunities as other children,” said Fultz.

Fultz’s daughter requires round-the-clock care and monitoring. Besides lung and ear problems, Jadyn has two dislocated hips and is unable to crawl. She is fed through a G-tube attached to her stomach and is unable to ingest anything orally.

“Everything is a struggle; nothing is easy. I think we are supposed to help other parents with special needs kids and be their voice. My daughter is very precious to me. We as parents don’t want our children to go to school and see other children playing on swings and wonder why they don’t have any,” said Fultz.

Sterling agrees that parents who have children that do not require constant care are fortunate that they do not have to struggle to give their child equal opportunities and asks for the community’s support.

“Until Hunter came into our life, my husband and I never thought about what parents with special needs kids go through,” admitted Sterling, who is working on a second fundraiser for her son, called Hawgs for Hunter, that will allow him to undergo dolphin therapy.

“I never thought about a child swallowing before. Now I think a child swallowing is a miracle,” said Josh, who is hoping for another miracle to cover the costs of the playground equipment that will bring smiles to his child and others with disabilities.

The group is also considering forming a support group for parents of special needs children. For more information, contact Naomi Sterling at 936-870-3845 or Josh Fultz at 936-825-1988.