Season for Caring: Meet the Milam Family

Renee Milam is a single mom with three children under four years old, including a set of two-year-old twins. You could say her hands are full.

Three of her children have medical diagnoses or developmental delays, including autism and down syndrome. Life can be challenging.

Renee lives with her own chronic medical conditions. Her family’s needs are mentally, physically and financially exhausting.

Due to the pandemic, Renee lost her job with Marriott Hotels where she worked for the last five years. Renee is a fighter, but she could use our help this year.

When her previous apartment complex was condemned, all residents were relocated. Moving from her home of five years to a new apartment in a new school district was difficult. She has a child who is in a wheelchair, but there weren’t any accessible units available. They settled for a first-floor apartment. Unfortunately, there is still no wheelchair ramp and their small living space barely accommodates the family.

One of her twins has downs syndrome and requires in-home nursing care to attend to his medical and physical needs. His twin sister receives multiple therapies for developmental delays and also has complex dental needs. Her four-year-old son has autism and a brain tumor, which may result in surgery but the overall process has been delayed due to COVID.

The family is currently part of Any Baby Can’s Early Childhood Intervention program where the twins receive speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and specialized skills training. These therapies, provided via telehealth, have been a consistent force throughout the pandemic.

Renee is paying out of pocket 100% for medications because her insurance maxed out and then she lost her coverage when she was let go from her job. She was barely getting by on unemployment, and now that’s run out. She consistently has to make the decision to not purchase her own medications so that she can afford all of the things her children need.