The opportunity to live

'Opportunity to live':
Kimberly Crawford's family wants Texas to open Medicaid waitlists

Allen and Elena Crawford live in Paris, Texas with their daughter, Kimberly. The Crawfords adopted Kimberly in Louisiana, and she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy at age one.

Because of a loophole (now closed) the Crawfords were able to get Medicaid waiver services for Kimberly throughout her childhood, but as she approaches adulthood, uncertainty looms.

When Kimberly turns 21 later this year, she will lose services like physical and occupational therapy, as well as full-time care. She has been on the waitlist for adult services since age 10, when the Crawfords moved to Texas, but still has decades to wait before she gets to the top.

Kimberly Crawford laughs while working with her physical therapist and in-home nurse at her home in Paris, Texas, July 20, 2022. "Anyone can lay in bed all day and just exist," said her mother, Elena. "But is that really living? Opening up the lists... gives our children the opportunity to live, not just exist."

Kimberly Crawford works with her physical therapist, Stephanie Barker, at the Crawford home in Paris, Texas, July 20, 2022. Physical therapy is important to help Crawford maintain her strength and skills and exceed doctor's expectations. When she loses her Medicaid waiver, Crawford will no longer have access to physical therapy.

A photo of Kimberly Crawford hangs on the fridge at the Crawford home in Paris, Texas, July 20, 2022. “Kimberly was born unable to roll over or sit up,” said her mom, Elena, “because of therapies, she has potential to function in society. Had she not had access to those therapies, that would never be a hope or a dream.”

Elena Crawford kisses her daughter, Kimberly, on the forehead after a nail painting session at their home in Paris, Texas, July 20, 2022. Crawford always asks her mom for a hug first thing in the morning when she wakes up.

Elena Crawford watches her daughter, Kimberly, work with her physical therapist, Stephanie Barker, at the Crawford home in Paris, Texas, July 20, 2022. “What seems like an extra benefit to you I is something that changes her life,” said Crawford.

Kimberly Crawford practices her motor skills by building with blocks during a physical therapy session at the Crawford home in Paris, Texas, July 20, 2022. Physical therapy helps Crawford maintain her health, skills and abilities.

A princess tiara decorates Kimberly Crawford's room in Paris, Texas, July 20, 2022. Crawford loves butterflies and princesses.

Kimberly Crawford’s nurse, Kathi Loftin, sets up cartoons for Crawford as a break from working on motor skills at the Crawford home in Paris, Texas, July 20, 2022. In-home nursing provides constant care for Crawford during the day and allows respite for her parents. When she ages off her current medicaid waiver, she will lose this care while she waits to get on an adult waiver.

Elena Crawford paints her daughter, Kimberley’s, nails to encourage Kimberley to practice her fine motor skills at their home in Paris, Texas, July 20, 2022. “Being with her is being loved,” said Crawford.

Kimberley Crawford gets ready for physical therapy with the help of her nurse, Kathi Loftin, at the Crawford home in Paris, Texas, July 20, 2022.

Kimberley Crawford gets a head rub from her mom, Elena during a nail painting session at their home in Paris, Texas, July 20, 2022.. Elena Crawford said her daughter was not expected to live past three years old- she’s now 20.

'Opportunity to live': Kimberly Crawford's family wants Texas to open Medicaid waitlists

'Opportunity to live':
Kimberly Crawford's family wants Texas to open Medicaid waitlists