“My family has lived in Madison, Wisconsin since 1999. We moved here seeking a place where our son Jeremy, born with cerebral palsy, could receive comprehensive care and where we could build a stable support system.

Madison offered the services, medical resources, and community we needed in order to give him the best possible life.

Our daughter Kaili, Jeremy’s older sister, was four years old when we arrived. Jeremy required full-time care due to significant physical limitations: he was unable to sit, stand, roll over, or use his arms. He experienced ongoing challenges with eating, breathing, sleeping, and positioning.

He was deaf, and we used sign language to communicate, even though he could communicate only through body language and eye movement. His life, though filled with love and light, was also shaped by many medical interventions and support services.

As parents, we did everything we could to nurture both of our children. Still, because Jeremy’s needs were constant and urgent, Kaili often witnessed our focus being drawn toward his care. We worked to support her emotionally, knowing that the experience of growing up alongside a sibling with profound disabilities would shape her early life in unique ways.

In 2005, Jeremy passed away at home due to failure to thrive. His loss was heartbreaking and devastating for our family. We also knew, with clarity and peace, that his life had been surrounded by love, comfort, and dignity.

After Jeremy’s passing, Kaili continued into adolescence as a bright, curious, and spirited ten-year-old. She poured herself into friendships, soccer, and later cross-country and art in high school—especially ceramics and painting. She loved swimming, eventually becoming a lifeguard, and enjoyed camping and hiking.

After graduating, Kaili chose not to pursue college immediately. Instead, she sought experiences that included work, travel, and personal exploration. During this period, we began to see signs of distress emerging. It took time to understand what was happening, but eventually she received a diagnosis of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. One of the most difficult aspects of this illness is the lack of insight that can accompany it, making it extremely hard to seek or accept treatment.

After a long journey, Kaili is now receiving treatment and support. Each day is an effort to manage symptoms and maintain stability. It is an ongoing process, and one that requires continued access to care. Without strong support systems, young adults living with severe mental illness face significantly higher risks of homelessness, suicide, incarceration, and early death.

Kaili is a sweet and beautiful young woman and a talented artist. Even while navigating symptoms that can be disorienting and overwhelming, she has a deep compassion for others. She is committed to a humane, mostly vegan diet, and cares deeply about environmental issues and the future of our planet. Many of her former hobbies have been affected by the progression of her symptoms, but she is fighting every day to find meaning, rebuild connections, and restore the quality of her relationships.

As her mother, I am profoundly grateful to receive support in planning for her future—ensuring that she has what she needs to live safely and with dignity, whether or not I am here to care for her. With guidance and resources, I hope to create both a financial and care plan that protects her well-being and allows her to continue growing, healing, and expressing her gifts.”