Tuesday, December 07, 1999
Device would help toddler stand
Two-year-old Corey Richardson was born with a chromosomal abnormality that has left him behind developmentally.
His parents, Pat and Sherri Richardson of Covington, say 2-year-old Corey is active and playful.
(Saed Hindash photo)
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He cannot stand, crawl, walk or talk, and he is attached to feeding and tracheal breathing tubes. But, like other boys his age, he is going through a very curious and active stage.
His parents, Pat and Sherri Richardson of Covington, want to see more of those tendencies and believe a computer and a special standing device could help.
The stander “would help develop his muscles and hopefully eventually help him walk,” Mrs. Richardson said. “We're hoping (the computer) will help him interact on his own ... and help him develop more cognitively.”
A therapist has said that Corey's use of a standing device would foster skeletal and muscular strength and that the computer would help him learn basic non-verbal communication skills.
The Richardsons cannot afford the cost on their own.
“There's no way,” said Mrs. Richardson, an accounting administrator at Medical Mutual of Ohio in Cincinnati.
She has health insurance, which covers many — but not all — of Corey's medical costs. Mr. Richardson, an electrician with a small contracting firm, does not have coverage.
Together, they make about $45,000 a year and have struggled with a constant flow of medical bills.
Corey sees about 12 doctors. One is his pediatrician. The rest are specialists. He is with a nurse up to 16 hours a day.
The Richardsons, who are expecting another child in December, also pay $120 a month to fill Corey's medical prescriptions.
Corey had open-heart surgery when he was 3 months old because of his chromosomal abnormality. He just recently became capable of sitting for any length of time.
In late November, Mrs. Richardson was nine months pregnant with a second son. Corey usually sported a big grin whenever his parents told him his young brother would soon be home.
“He's very active and playful,” Mrs. Richardson said.
— Susan Vela
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