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Chelsea

Chelsea—14 now—was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was a baby. Like other chronic conditions and/or special health care needs, epilepsy requires a lifetime of medications and close monitoring of the child's condition and of medication levels. And like other children with special health care needs, Chelsea often feels different and isolated from her peers.

Chelsea lives in a rural area where it is challenging for her family to identify resources needed to help her. Also challenging for Chelsea is school. Chelsea's mother, Chris, remembers Chelsea's fears and anxieties as she approached seventh grade, located in the large high school.

"Because Chelsea requires extra time to complete her school work, the stress of the upcoming school year was causing her to withdraw and become shy," Chris says. "It was so hard watching Chelsea going downhill socially. She would not talk to anyone. School was getting harder and more frustrating for her—to the point of almost giving up on learning.

"As a parent," Chris adds, "I can honestly say I needed help on even knowing where to begin to help my daughter."

Chris and Chelsea found that help through the Caring Program: Care Coordination for Children with Special Health Care Needs.

Enrolled in November of 2005, Chelsea and her family began working with their Care Coordinator, Registered Nurse Christine Stroup, to develop a "Care Plan" to assist Chelsea better cope with the challenges that epilepsy can present.

With communication and coordination playing such a key role, the medical, educational and psychological aspects of Chelsea's care were incorporated into her Care Plan. Helping Chelsea's family access appropriate services and utilize them effectively helped ensure the best possible outcomes for Chelsea.

Christine arranged for testing to establish Chelsea's appropriate classroom setting, and for a private tour of her new classrooms with her teachers as well as an aide to assist with problems as they might arise.

As her mother says, "Christine worked with Chelsea's school so that the classes are more suited to my daughter's level." She adds, "Chelsea is much happier in school now. I have noticed changes in my daughter, and nothing makes a parent happier than when they see their child smiling again."

"Chelsea is actually skipping when she gets off of the school bus now, and is excited to do her homework! She is also participating in group activities like horseback riding and swimming lessons."

Asked if she likes school, Chelsea responds with a resounding "Yes!"

"Christine is my daughter's advocate and she has been a godsend," says Chris. "From the bottom of my heart I recommend that parents accept the help from the Caring Program. I see nothing but improvements now and hope for the future."