The Child of HoPE for November 2007 is Tara Lynn Morris, daughter of Kim and Gloria Morris of Stoughton, Wisconsin.
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One day at a time. Those five little words have served Kim and Gloria Morris very well in their role as parents. Already the parents of 10 year old Josh, Kim and Gloria added a baby girl to their family with the birth of Tara Lynn Morris on December 30, 1987. Gloria describes Tara as a "happy and healthy baby", and even her pediatrician described Tara as "perfect". Within a few months, Tara would begin missing her developmental milestones causing her pediatrician to become concerned. At Tara's six-month checkup, her pediatrician referred Tara to a neurologist.
Following a CT scan, the neurologist was able to confirm a diagnosis of alobar holoprosencephaly. The neurologist informed Gloria that Tara would have a very poor quality of life, and he recommended that Gloria keep low expectations for her development. Although Gloria is now a very active member of an online support group for holoprosencephaly, Kim and Gloria didn't have the internet as a means for research in the way that we have today. This was 1988--before the internet--and the means for obtaining information about medical conditions was limited. Kim and Gloria were given some written materials about HPE; however, those materials were frightening. Without a handbook to guide them, these devoted parents began to live by the motto, "One day at a time".
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As an infant and toddler, Tara received early intervention therapies. At one year of age, Tara received a g-tube following a hospitalization for dehydration. At the age of 11, Tara required surgery to correct scoliosis. At 17 years, she had her gall bladder removed. In 2001, Tara began to have seizures, and those seizures are very well controlled with medication. Overall, Tara has been very healthy.
Even as an infant, Tara has always been a very social girl, and she loves for people to talk to her and give her attention. Tara also has a very special friend in her life named Tom. Just the mention of Tom's name brings a huge smile to Tara's face. Tara is surrounded by the love of her family--not just her parents and brother, but also by her extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
At 19 years of age, Tara is now a young woman living with holoprosencephaly. Adolescence brings with it different challenges, special opportunities, and new concerns. Kim and Gloria don't have a road map to follow in their journey with Tara; instead, they are at the forefront paving the way for other parents who are just beginning this journey known as HPE. The road can be rocky and paved with worry; however, Gloria doesn't hesitate to walk beside other parents by willingly sharing her experience and friendship.
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Now a young woman at 19 years of age, Tara is defying the odds. Kim and Gloria have defied the odds also with a strong marriage that has lasted over 30 years. The description of happy and healthy as an infant still applies today as Tara has grown into a happy and healthy young woman surrounded by the love and support of an amazing family.
Families for HoPE, Inc. is pleased to honor Miss Tara Lynn Morris as its Child of HoPE. May you find hope and inspiration from Tara and her family.
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| Kim, Tara, and Gloria on Graduation Day |
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| Tom and Tara |
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