Cleo Li was born healthy. Then, one night when
she was just three months old, she stopped breathing. CPR brought her back to
life, but Cleo had suffered a massive brain injury due to lack of oxygen.
Just like that, the Li family had a daughter with special needs, and their
world was turned upside down.
Watch this Learning for Life as the Li family gives us a look at what it's like to have a child with special needs - whether that child is born with special needs or, like Cleo, suffers a traumatic event to her body. They talk about the emotional ups and downs as well as the challenges of finding information and support and the amazing difference early intervention makes for a child and a family.
This is the third segment in a month-long series Learning for Life - and
Birth to Thrive Online
(Thrive's daily blog) - is doing on children with special needs. Next week, we
look at Autism - what it is, how it's diagnosed and the signs parents should
look for. We also explore the issue of whether there are enough resources
available to support the increasing numbers of children being diagnosed with an
Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.
Learning for Life airs every Wednesday on KING 5 Morning News on KONG 6/16 TV between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m.
Please send any story ideas about people, programs and work being done to support children from birth to age 5 to molly@thrivebyfivewa.org.
Learn more and watch past Learning for Life series and specials here.