### This is a new series at The Arc Blog called #HandsOff. Each month, we will feature a story from individuals and families across The Arc’s network about how some of today’s key policy issues impact their day to day lives. ###
Spencer and Erica
My name is Erica, and my son Spencer and I live in Indianapolis, Indiana. I am a recruiter and Spencer is in the 5th grade.
Spencer is incredible. He has accomplished so much in 12 years. He was named the 2014 first ever Great American Museum Advocate by the American Alliance of Museums. He’s been a huge blues fan since the age of 3 and is the only kid to ever wish to meet BB King. He’s been to the White House and met Michelle Obama. His favorite subject to learn about is the civil rights movement. He loves magic and musicals, but if he had his choice he would spend all day sewing and making puppets. Incredible, right? Here is what makes his story even more incredible. He has done all of this with ½ of a brain.
Before Spencer was even born, he had a stroke. The stroke destroyed over 2/3 of the left side of his brain. He was diagnosed with Factor V Leiden blood clotting disorder, cerebral palsy, right side hemiparesis, seizure disorder, impulse control disorder and autism. Early on in the diagnosis I was told he would not walk or talk, and would undoubtedly have behavioral and impulse control issues. Not only does he walk but he can argue like a Supreme Court Justice. He functions with the use of only his left hand which leads to a lot of frustration. That coupled with the impulse control issues has made “behavior” his most difficult hurdle.
In April of 2016 when he was only 10, my worst nightmare as a mother became real.
Spencer was bruised from head to toe from punching himself. He was destroying our house daily and worst of all, he was saying he wanted to kill himself. He punched through two windows.
Spencer with Senator Donnelly (IN)
I was faced with the horrific decision of placing him in a 24-hour behavioral psychiatric unit. He had two five day stays within a month. It was the hardest time of our lives.
Once he got out of the psychiatric unit, Medicaid covered an additional 25 hours per week of intensive behavioral therapy. He was already getting a few hours a day covered at school, but getting the right amount of intensive therapy has made all the difference.
The additional Medicaid hours saved his life and at the very least kept him out of a long term facility and allowed him to work on learning coping skills in his natural environment.
Here we are not even two years later and because of that therapy through Medicaid, he is happy, healthy and controlling his anger and impulses. Medicaid has been a life saver for us.
Spencer is a different kid now. A much healthier and happier kid. Most importantly, he’s alive! We just came back from out 3rd trip to New York in a year. Two years ago, I couldn’t take him out of the house for fear he would hurt himself or someone else and now he navigates the bustling streets of New York like a native.
I asked Spencer what he would say to the Congress or the President about the importance of Medicaid in his life. Much more eloquent than I could ever hope to be, here is his response in his own words:
“No problem mom, they can just come to my house. Yeah. I’ll show them holes in the wall where I used to punch it. I’ll show them what used to be my quiet room and how you had to fill it with mats and glass I couldn’t break so I wouldn’t hurt you or myself. I’ll show them how now that room has no more of those things but now has my sewing machine because I’m a big boy and can control my anger. I’ll even tell them how I used to punch you because I was so mad all the time. I’ll tell them I broke your nose. I’ll show them that now I just have to work on my verbal junk but I don’t hit you anymore. I’ll show him everything mom and then they will understand. Just invite them over and I’ll show them. Tell them to bring all their friends. I’ll show them too.”
Mr. President, Members of Congress: you are cordially invited to my house at any date and time that works for you. Bring your friends. My 12 year old has some things he wants to show you.
I’m the co-founder of JustCBD Store company (justcbdstore.com) and I’m presently aiming to broaden my wholesale side of business. It would be great if someone at targetdomain share some guidance . I considered that the most ideal way to do this would be to connect to vape shops and cbd stores. I was really hoping if anybody could suggest a trusted site where I can buy Vape Shop B2B Leads I am currently examining creativebeartech.com, theeliquidboutique.co.uk and wowitloveithaveit.com. Unsure which one would be the best solution and would appreciate any guidance on this. Or would it be much simpler for me to scrape my own leads? Ideas?
тонкость процедуры налоги можно не платить субсидиарная ответственность а так же ликвидация предприятия с долгами
I seriously love your site.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you develop this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own personal website and want to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Many thanks!
Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to return yet again since I saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.
Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not fail me as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read through, but I really thought you’d have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something that you can fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.
This is a topic that’s close to my heart… Thank you! Exactly where are your contact details though?
I blog often and I genuinely appreciate your information. This article has really peaked my interest. I am going to book mark your website and keep checking for new details about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.
Great article! We are linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the good writing.
Very good info. Lucky me I ran across your site by chance (stumbleupon). I’ve bookmarked it for later!
Hi there, I believe your web site could be having web browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Besides that, great website!
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Thanks for supplying this info.
Hi, I do believe your blog might be having internet browser compatibility issues. When I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, great site!
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful article. Many thanks for supplying this information.
Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written much better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I am going to forward this information to him. Pretty sure he’s going to have a great read. I appreciate you for sharing!
I blog frequently and I genuinely thank you for your information. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your site and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed too.
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It is the little changes that make the largest changes. Many thanks for sharing!
I needed to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I’ve got you book marked to check out new things you post…
I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your content. This article has really peaked my interest. I will bookmark your blog and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It’s the little changes which will make the most significant changes. Many thanks for sharing!
Can I simply say what a relief to discover someone who actually understands what they are talking about over the internet. You actually understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people really need to look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you’re not more popular since you certainly have the gift.
Hi, I think your site could possibly be having internet browser compatibility issues. When I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, excellent website!
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thanks for supplying these details.
I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this website. I really hope to view the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own website now 😉
Great info. Lucky me I found your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I have bookmarked it for later!
Very good article. I definitely appreciate this site. Stick with it!
Your style is unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this blog.
After looking over a number of the blog posts on your site, I really appreciate your way of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my website too and tell me what you think.
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful post. Thanks for providing this info.
I used to be able to find good advice from your articles.
Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe this web site needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the info!
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly think this website needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the information!
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and also the rest of the site is also very good.
It’s going to be end of mine day, but before finish I am reading this fantastic article to improve my know-how.
adreamoftrains website hosting services
I was very pleased to find this web site. I wanted to thank you for your time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every part of it and i also have you book marked to look at new information on your website.
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don’t know why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anyone else having the same RSS issues? Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
Next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not disappoint me just as much as this particular one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, nonetheless I genuinely believed you would have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something that you could possibly fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.
You’re so cool! I do not suppose I have read through a single thing like this before. So good to discover someone with a few original thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
You need to take part in a contest for one of the most useful blogs
on the web. I most certainly will recommend this website!
Saved as a favorite, I love your website!
Can I simply say what a relief to find a person that really knows what they are talking about on the web. You definitely realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people have to read this and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you are not more popular because you most certainly have the gift.
Very good blog post. I definitely love this website. Continue the good work!
Hello there, I think your blog might be having web browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, fantastic blog!
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for providing this info.
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Kudos!
I blog quite often and I seriously thank you for your information. This great article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed too.
Very good article! We will be linking to this great content on our website. Keep up the great writing.
I blog frequently and I really thank you for your information. The article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your website and keep checking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.