Single Mom ‘Fighting So Hard’ For Medically Fragile Child

, |

August 21st, 2017

SARAH ALLEN is both single mother and full-time — though untrained –nurse to her son Aidan, born with cerebral palsy and complex medical issues. State Medicaid regulations severely limit the number of hours her medically fragile son can have in-home nursing care, regardless of his doctor’s orders for medical necessity. Aidan needs 24-7 care and constant tube feeding. Sarah may soon be homeless because the house where she lives will be sold, and she has limited resources to find another home suitable for a severely disabled child. Her story illustrates several serious shortfalls within the Medicaid and Social Security Disability systems.

Sarah Allen, a single mom, spends her days and nights caring for her son, Aidan.

Born premature with a malformed brain, Aidan, now 3, has multiple health conditions. They include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, obstructive sleep apnea and cortical visual impairment. He also has enlarged ventricles, scarring on his brain and a mild form of microcephaly.

Aidan is fed through a tube 22 hours a day. He can’t sit up by himself, and gets around with help from a wheelchair. He does not speak.

Related

Top Stories