Kelly Reed: Helping Her Daughter Thrive With Community Health Services

When Kelly Reed’s daughter, Katelyn, was born with Down syndrome, their family didn’t know much about the condition or the disability community. So, they turned to community medical centers, like the Regional Center, a statewide network in California funded largely by Medicaid, to learn more. As they began to understand Katelyn’s condition, they were able to utilize services like early intervention and physical and speech therapy to improve her quality of life. “From four weeks old to three years old, she received crucial therapies that taught her to crawl, chew, and speak — skills that allowed her to succeed in preschool and later in public education.”  

Centers like these also serve as places to meet other families like theirs, a crucial lifeline during the difficult time following Katelyn’s diagnosis. “These services also connected us with a supportive community of families facing similar challenges.”  

The Reed family, like many others, relies on these Medicaid funded services to make sure their daughter can access high-quality care.  

The possibility that this care will be cut, or even be diminished, is near impossible to bear. “It’s hard to imagine what life was like for children with disabilities before the ADA, when many were institutionalized. Thankfully, things have improved, but these services remain crucial.”  

Katelyn’s life has improved immensely thanks to access to health care through California Medicaid. Kelly shared, she “is a happy, thriving individual, and this success is a direct result of the services we had access to.” They believe everyone who needs these services should be able to receive them. “These programs are vital for all families, regardless of income. Without Medicaid and the support it provides, many children like Katelyn would not have the opportunity to thrive.”  

Kelly and her family have tried to share their story with their Congressional representative, but they haven’t been able to meet her in person. “We’ve invited Representative Kim to town halls to hear our stories, but neither she nor her staff has shown up. As our elected representative, she has a duty to listen to our concerns, whether or not she agrees with them. If she hears our story, I hope she’ll understand how vital it is to preserve our health care.”