Published November 14, 2008 01:01 am - Bill and Kristie Duren had an 11-month-old son, Billy, and another child due soon. Kristie Duren was an early childhood worker and had plans to go back to school after the second baby was born and earn a degree in early childhood development.
Disability series: Caregivers need support from family and friends
By Peggy Laizure
Bill and Kristie Duren had an 11-month-old son, Billy, and another child due soon. Kristie Duren was an early childhood worker and had plans to go back to school after the second baby was born and earn a degree in early childhood development.
All her plans changed May 9, 2003, when son Blake was born with cerebral palsy. Blake was in the hospital for about a month after he was born, Kristie said, and Billy had to stay with his grandparents.
The Durens have grandparents and family support, "plenty of family," Kristie said.
"Billy didn't really know what was going on, but I don't think he really minded (staying with grandma)," Kristie said.
Kristie has dropped all plans to return to school.
"It's probably not going to happen," she said.
And she is fine with that.
Bill Duren is working at the Marriott Postal Training Center and is going to school to be a paramedic but may switch to radiology.
He works an early shift and helps with the children when he can, Kristie said.
Blake attends Eisenhower Elementary School even though he doesn't live in that district.
"When he was 3, the doctor said sign him up for school," Kristie said.
At that time, Eisenhower was the closest school that had a program for Blake. He's now in his third year at Eisenhower, along with big brother Billy.
This is the first year that both boys are at school the full day but Kristie isn't resting. Her daughter Kailey was born in July.
Since Kailey was born, both boys have turned more to their dad, Kristie said. "But since Kailey was born, he wants dad to play balloons and other things with him. Blake is attached to him right now."
Don't tell Blake he is handicapped. Just as all siblings do, if Billy has something he wants, Blake will try to get it, Kristie said.