At 15-months-old, Harrison Grigsby is standing on his own and taking a few cautious steps.

His parents — Sheri and Drew — are excited that soon they’ll see him chase his twin brother Bennett around the house.

It’s especially emotional seeing Harrison meeting developmental milestones after everything he experienced in his first year of life. 

Not only were the Grigsby twins born three months early, but Harrison was diagnosed with fetal growth restriction. Doctors told the Grigsbys that it was unlikely he would survive the pregnancy but he beat the odds — weighing 1 pound, eight ounces at birth.

Both boys were in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Children’s Hospital for nearly five months. 

When they were born, the hospital gave Sheri and Drew information about Ohio Early Intervention, but their focus was getting the twins stable in the hospital.

As they were preparing to bring them home, they received a second folder of information — and the time was right to learn more about the program.

Provided in Licking County by the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities (LCBDD), Early Intervention (EI)  is a statewide program that supports children, from birth to age 3, with developmental delays or disabilities. Babies who are born premature are often eligible for the program.

After an assessment, LCBDD Physical Therapist Brenna Sabo started visiting when Harrison was eight months old. At that time he wasn’t able to roll and was relying on a feeding tube.

But once he mastered sitting on his own, things started falling into place. Harrison began crawling and pulling up to stand. 

LCBDD Speech Therapist Janelle Pickens was able to provide some feeding therapy and Harrison has begun tasting new foods. 

They also recommended a high chair and other adaptive equipment that the Grigsbys were able to use Family Support Services (FSS) funds to purchase.

“Having someone who has been there from the beginning and with us through the whole thing, who can provide us with reassurance, it’s been really helpful,” Sheri said.

EI services are provided at no cost to families in their homes, where children learn best, which has been great for Harrison, Sheri said.

“They give us things to work on (after the visits) that are things that fit into our actual life, using things we already have,” she said. “It’s just been wonderful knowing we have that support.”

The Grigsbys are hoping that Harrison will continue eating more by mouth and will eventually be able to join his brother at daycare.

Sheri said she’s thankful that she reached out to the program.

“Our experience  has been truly life changing for our son and our family. The team has been incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and encouraging every step of the way. We’ve seen so much growth in his development, and we feel more confident because of their guidance. We are so grateful for the difference they’ve made in his life,” she said.

For more information about Early Intervention in Licking County, go to https://lcountydd.org/birth-to-3/. To make an EI referral, please call 1-800-755-4769. You can also make a secure online referral at: https://ochids.childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/public/refer.