It’s every parent’s worst nightmare to suddenly lose crucial support for their child’s medical needs. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to Stacie Rivard and her son Matthew. Their world was turned upside down when they found out that Matthew’s speech and feeding therapists at Texas Children’s Hospital were no longer employed there.
Matthew, a 9-year-old boy with multiple medical conditions including Pierre Robin syndrome, hypotonia, profound deafness, visual impairment, and reliance on a wheelchair, has been a patient at Texas Children’s since he was two years old. The therapists played a vital role in his care, providing feeding therapy, speech therapy for his cochlear implant, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
Two weeks ago, the Rivard family received the devastating news that Matthew’s therapists were part of a significant workforce reduction at the hospital, totaling around 1,000 employees. This sudden loss not only disrupted Matthew’s care but also left the family scrambling to find alternative sources of support.
Stacie expressed her deep sadness at losing not just therapists but beloved members of their extended family. She also noted that a third specialist they were waiting to see was also affected by the layoffs.
Now faced with uncertainty about where to turn for essential therapies that are not provided by the school system, Stacie is worried about Matthew’s well-being. The services he requires are crucial for his development and quality of life, and the abrupt loss has left them feeling lost and anxious.
Stacie shared with KHOU 11 News how challenging it was to even begin the services Matthew was receiving, as Texas Children’s own website indicates long wait times for therapy evaluations. The delay in accessing care has only added to the family’s stress and frustration.
In the midst of this difficult situation, Stacie is appealing for help and support from the community. She is determined to find a way to continue Matthew’s therapies and provide him with the tools he needs to thrive. Their journey to secure the care Matthew requires is far from over, but with the help of others, they hope to navigate this uncertain path and ensure Matthew receives the support he needs.
Please reach out to Stacie Rivard on her social media accounts to offer assistance or resources during this challenging time: