February is Parent Recognition Month. Strengthening Families Washington, of the Department of Early Learning for Washington State, believes there is no better way to recognize a parent, grandparent, foster or adoptive parent than by acknowledging the numerous and impressive things they do to strengthen their family and those around them in their community.
Seattle's Child is proud to sponsor the Washington Unsung Hero Awards, recognizing our everyday heroes and honoring the important role caregivers play in children's lives. There are 28 nominees for the 28 days of February, and Seattle's Child will highlight each and every one.
Congratulations to the Unsung Hero for February 17
Katie Wright – Gig Harbor
Ellie Wright was born 2 weeks late in April 2011. The parents of two older children, Katie and Brad Wright were concerned that something was not right with their newborn Ellie. During her first post-partum visit the doctor felt there may be "something chromosomally wrong." Now almost 3 years later, after countless visits with her geneticist, therapists and a trip to the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases program Ellie has a complex and relatively severe developmental disorder that remains undiagnosed.
Ellie's previous diagnosis included microcephaly, hypotonia, failure to thrive, short stature, and global developmental delays. After moving to Gig Harbor from Arizona, this young family felt that they had no support. Katie went to community parent events but felt like she could not relate to anyone else because her daughter did not have a diagnosis.
A stay-at-home mom, Katie researched endlessly on the Internet. One day she discovered an organization — Syndromes Without a Name (SWAN) — and she found a connection that had been missing. "Just knowing that you weren't alone, that someone else had gone through what you are experiencing is a relief of sorts," she said. Katie is now a member of the board of directors and very active with the Michigan-based organization.
In the past 3 years Brad completed school with a teaching degree and is now teaching math at an alternative high school. Katie has also been taking prerequisites to become a nurse so that she can help families in the future: she wants to be a health system navigator to assist other families medically, emotionally and financially. Throughout Brad's education Katie supported him so he could achieve his dream.
This couple doesn't lose sight of having to give quality time to their other children. Brad has coached Jessica's Harbor Soccer team and wants to coach 4 year old Matthews's team as well. Matthew is in the developmental preschool in Gig Harbor. Katie is always talking to the preschool staff, Ellie's therapists and her medical team to be sure that she is being a good parent to all three of her children. Katie also gets support in her home from an infant mental health counselor because she understands how important self-care is.
Brad and Katie have found the needed support in each other, their family and their community. Katie's family often comes up from Oregon to visit and Brad's family lives in Gig Harbor. Katie also found support when she began blogging their story online. Katie and Brad also hold a fundraising event each year at Discovery Village in Gig Harbor with all proceeds going to SWAN.
The fundraising and blogging have given Katie an outlet to focus her energy and opened the world to her of others who have had similar experiences. Katie has even reached out to a young mother in Gig Harbor with a little girl who is also undiagnosed. She has become a source of social connection across the entire county and even the world.
Katie remains committed to raising funds to help others, even while they continue the emotional odyssey to find answers for Ellie — and to give her condition a name. "I've been amazed how hard Brad and Katie have worked to help their daughter," said Ellie's geneticist Dr. Amy Lawson-Yuen. "To organize the fundraising and to reach out to help others, I have never had any other family go to the lengths they have." Both Katie and Brad are truly unsung heroes for all three of their children, SWAN and their community.
Nominator: Michelle Harrison
