Press-Republican

Local News

Related Photos

  • Photo Provided

    images_sizedimage_250044526

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
September 6, 2008

Help needed for triplets with cerebral palsy

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG

KEESEVILLE -- Faith, family and taking one day at a time has helped Dave and Melody LaFountain make it through the hard times.

But for every obstacle the parents of seven overcome, another one seems to arise.

Right now, the biggest challenge is trying to scrape together enough money to get their triplets the best care possible after they were each diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, a neurological disease that primarily affects the legs.

When the boys -- Chandler, Luke-Richard and Anthony -- were only a few weeks old, their parents noticed something wasn't right. After about a year of appointments and observation, the now 4-year-old boys were diagnosed with the disease.

The family struggled to find the right services locally but have had to go out of the area for most of their treatments.

There's no health insurance available through David's job, and they're unable to qualify for any public assistance through Essex County, so the LaFountains have been sinking into financial hard times as the medical expenses continue to climb.

"We're pinching pennies and really, really struggling," said Melody, who left her job to care for the boys and bring them to their weekly appointments.

She works with them individually each day and has already noticed how the specialists, therapy and extra attention have improved their development.

"They're walking, but they're still struggling. They're always going to struggle," said Melody, who was recently diagnosed with an inner-ear tumor and also cares for her elderly grandfather.

The challenges are many, from eating to climbing stairs, leaving the LaFountains with many obstacles, like trying to transform their home so daily tasks are easier on the boys.

The family recently saved enough to install a pool, where the boys have spent many hours doing aquatic therapy and improving their leg strength. But even that brought on new challenges, since the triplets couldn't climb the steps to the pool on their own.

No matter the challenge, though, their parents said they will do their best to make sure they have the care and support they need.

"We've been through a lot, and we just want the best for them," Melody said. "No matter what, we'll get through it. We're just so thankful they're here.

"They're my miracle. They're my blessing ... all my kids are."

A raffle and bake sale on Sunday is meant to bring in some extra money for the expenses. Their neighbor Pamela LaBombard has helped to coordinate the event at the IGA store in Keeseville.

"We have to have at least $1,500 worth of donations," LaBombard said Friday while baking treats for the fundraiser. "Everybody's been really good to us.

"I know they're really struggling right now, and I hope this (benefit) can make things a little easier on them."

avanvalkenburg

@pressrepublican.com

HOW TO HELP
Friends and family of the LaFountains will be hosting the raffle at the Keeseville IGA from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and will return with the raffle and a bake sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
They are raffling off nine baskets and will pick the winners around 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $2 a piece or $5 for three.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion' 5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La. Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart