Our Journey Begins: Harley's Story and the Path to Early Intervention
On October 24th, 2018, our lives changed forever when Harley was born. He was full-term, healthy, and absolutely perfect in our eyes. From the moment he joined us, we were smitten. Like most new parents, we were filled with a mix of joy, exhaustion, and uncertainty as we navigated those early days.
At first, everything seemed typical. Harley was hitting his early milestones—he rolled over during Chelsey’s maternity leave, and we were overjoyed to see him growing and developing. The only real challenge we faced in those first few months was getting him on a sleep schedule.
Chelsey, ever resourceful, found a sleep consultant, which turned out to be one of the best investments we could have made. With her guidance and framework, we learned how to create a sleep routine, set boundaries, and build consistency. It wasn’t always perfect—parenting rarely is—but we were trying our best and felt like we were on track.
When Chelsey’s maternity leave ended, we enrolled Harley in a local daycare just down the street from our home. Chelsey would drop him off in the morning on her way to work, and I’d pick him up in the afternoons. It felt like a good system, and things were moving forward.
At that time, we were living in Chicago, in a condo in the Lakeview neighborhood. As joyful as those days were, we started encountering issues with our building—a leak in the roof that went directly into Harley’s room and a major mold issue in the garage. It became clear that we needed to find a more stable home for our growing family.
But around that same time, we also began noticing something else—Harley’s development seemed to slow down.
Noticing the Differences
As Harley grew, subtle differences started to become more apparent. Milestones that other babies seemed to hit effortlessly started to feel delayed for Harley. Sitting up independently, crawling, forming early words—these moments came slower, and some never came at all.
At first, we brushed it off. Every child develops at their own pace, right? We reminded ourselves of this repeatedly. Friends and family would offer well-meaning reassurances: “He’ll catch up!” or “Some kids just take their time.” And I, too, kept telling myself and Chelsey, “Nothing’s wrong. He’ll progress at his own pace.”
But deep down, we felt something was different. Parental intuition is a powerful thing, and while we couldn’t quite put our finger on it, we knew we needed to pay closer attention and start seeking answers.
Taking Action: Early Intervention
After selling our condo, we moved into our first single-family home in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. We had dreams of raising our family there, building memories, and setting down roots. Buying our first home was a huge achievement, and we were excited for this new chapter.
Shortly after moving in, we became friends with our next-door neighbors, who had recently adopted a little girl. She was also experiencing developmental delays, and they recommended a program called Early Intervention (EI).
Looking back, I am eternally grateful for that conversation. Our pediatrician hadn’t recommended Early Intervention, and unfortunately, we encountered several incompetent “experts” along the way—something I’ll share more about in future posts.
For those unfamiliar, Early Intervention is a series of therapies and support services designed to help children with developmental delays or disabilities catch up or develop essential skills. In our state, these services were available through a government-supported program, and we wasted no time enrolling Harley.
If there’s one piece of advice I can give to other parents, it’s this: trust your gut. If something feels off—even slightly—explore options like Early Intervention or similar local and state services. Therapy might be the helpful nudge your child needs, or it could be the lifeline that transforms their future.
Good pediatric therapists are angels in disguise—they pour their hearts into their patients, offering support not just for the child but for the entire family.
Diving into Therapy
Harley was about eight months old when we began exploring Early Intervention programs. His weeks quickly filled with therapy appointments: physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
At first, it was overwhelming. Balancing work, household responsibilities, and multiple therapy sessions each week felt like running a marathon without an end in sight. But every session brought a glimmer of hope.
We celebrated the little victories—the first time Harley held a toy intentionally, the first time he made eye contact during a session, and the moments where we felt he was truly engaging with the world around him.
This was just the beginning of our journey, and honestly, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
The Search for Answers
Over the next year, our lives became a cycle of doctor appointments, therapy sessions, and consultations with specialists. We were consumed with seeking answers and support, often feeling like we were navigating a maze with no map.
Some experiences were positive and encouraging; others were disheartening and frustrating. But through it all, we kept moving forward—because Harley deserved nothing less.
Looking Ahead
This journey has been far from easy, but it’s also been filled with moments of hope, resilience, and love. Harley has taught us more about strength, patience, and determination than we ever thought possible.
In future posts, I’ll share more about the challenges we faced, the lessons we learned, and the people who made a difference along the way.
To any parents reading this who might be walking a similar path: you are not alone. Trust your instincts, seek help early, and celebrate every small victory.
Thank you for being here, for reading our story, and for sharing in our journey.
With 4titude,
Kirby
About Kirby
As the founder of got4titude, Kirby is dedicated to empowering fathers and families raising children with disabilities. Through personalized life coaching, curated resources, and a supportive community, his mission is to create a space where dads feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive.
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