Autism: Fighting back, inspiring change
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At 22 months old, Ryan Unumb was given a diagnosis his mom Lorri Unumb didn't want to hear … autism. "My first-born child, I just couldn't wrap my mind around that. I cried a lot of nights," Unumb told Ivanhoe. Doctors prescribed applied behavioral analysis (ABA) -- a proven treatment, but one insurance doesn't cover. "I was totally taken aback when I realized what an ABA therapy program would cost," said Unumb. It takes Unumb's entire salary to pay for Ryan's $80,000 a year treatment.
ABA therapists work one-on-one with kids to improve verbal and social skills. Ryan can now say hundreds of words and has kindergarten level skills. "We didn't know how far he could go, but he has exceeded our expectations in many areas," said Ruge. Outraged at the lack of insurance coverage, Ryan's mom took action. "I simply thought this is wrong and it needs to be fixed," said Unumb. She met with congress, had petitions signed, and negotiated with insurance companies to get coverage for ABA. After a two-year battle, "Ryan's Law" was about to pass, but at the last minute, the governor vetoed it. In a last-ditch effort, Unumb drove to her state capitol and begged congress to override the veto. "Every single person voted to override the bill and it was just one of the most emotional moments of my life," said Unumb. Now, many more kids will have access to the therapy that's changed Ryan's life. Since South Carolina passed Ryan's Law, 25 more states have filed the same or a similar bill.
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February 9, 2012
- Roseburg, Oregon
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- One in every 150 kids is diagnosed with autism. It is the most highly researched disorder among children and but it's still the one researchers know the least about. One woman thought more kids should have access to a treatment proven to help.
"He's a very different child than he was four years ago when we began," ABA therapist Melissa Ruge told Ivanhoe.
In an ironic twist of fate, Ryan's Law doesn't help the Unumbs. The health insurance they have is not subject to state regulation in South Carolina. So for now, they'll continue to pay out of pocket. For the record, Unumb did know the bill she was trying so hard to pass was not going to benefit her.
