JULIE WHITLOCK

“It’s very important that we are there for our loved ones with developmental disabilities, and that we pay attention to their needs.”    -Anna Whitlock

Julie is a very sociable 16-year-old who became a regional center client at the age of 18 months when her parents were told that she was at risk of being developmentally disabled.

“At that time it was a really big shock for the family. You ask yourself so many questions. What does this mean? Who is going to take care of her? How will she be able to learn? Will she be able to get a job and live on her own?” 

“We went through classes, mommy and me types of classes, and she went through intervention programs that were absolutely incredible,” says her mother Anna. “They helped her come along and then at age 3, she was retested to see if she would continue with regional center.  In addition to cerebral palsy, she was diagnosed as having mental retardation.”

>> continue

<< PHOTO: Julie with her favorite hat.