A Beautiful Family

Almalinda Guerrero-Gonzales has five children, and all of them have special needs. She escaped her physically abusive husband months after giving birth to an infant with Down syndrome. Her oldest, now 8, suffers from seizures and migraines; she has twin 7-year-olds, one of whom can walk only with braces on her legs; and her 5-year-old is being treated for autism, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. She was getting help from a program called Nevada PEP (Parents Encouraging Parents) but the program will lose its $200,000-a-year grant for the program two years early because of federal budget cuts.

I spent only one evening with Almalinda and her wonderful children, but their story has stuck with me during this holiday season. I cannot imagine the struggles that Almalinda goes through. Her strength is truly awe-inspiring.

 Please read the Las Vegas Sun story by David McGrath Schwartz and see more photos here.

Terry Spieker

One of the many college student that may be affected by the upcoming budget cuts: Terry Spieker is a CSN nursing student who takes care of his two severely autistic daughters full time when he's not studying or in school. His patience and calm is breathtaking to observe. There should be more people like Terry in this world.