West San Jose Resident

Cover Story

Times Two

Local family has strong support system

By Emilie Crofton

When parents Lori and Eric Christensen brought newborn twins Owen and Ryan home from the hospital for the first time, it was a moment of happiness, excitement and relief.

Born 21Ž2 months premature on March 12, 2004, the twins spent months in the hospital, and Owen's underdeveloped lungs left doctors unsure if he would make it.

Now 31Ž2, the twins are physically healthy but suffer developmental delays. With the help of family, friends and nonprofit VIA Services the twins have improved significantly in their motor and sensory skills.

Santa Clara-based VIA Services, established in 1945, focuses on assisting children and adults with special needs and disabilities achieve greater self-sufficiency.

Owen and Ryan were recognized recently at VIA Services' annual Challenge Awards luncheon for overcoming great odds. The luncheon celebrated the boys' accomplishments.

Owen and Ryan now attend private schools in the Campbell district, although they continue their therapy through VIA Services,

After the twins were born, Lori Christensen, 30, says social workers recommended VIA Services to the family, because children born prematurely tend to have a higher incidence of developmental delays.

"I went through a period of denial," Christensen says. "I didn't believe things were so bad because they were doing OK at home."

But after the twins entered VIA Services at 4 months of age, the family quickly realized the positive impact of the program.

Owen and Ryan's occupational therapist, Allison Freccero, says initially it was hard for the boys to be around people and loud noises.

The twins began receiving home-based preemie monitoring services and attended the preemie playgroup through the First Step Early Intervention Program. The playgroup exposed the twins to peers their own age and created a support group for the boys' parents.

"I had never even heard about any of these support programs," Christensen says, "but VIA Service turned out to be a great organization. They've been helpful and supportive from the beginning."

At age 2 the boys entered the non-categorical class that focused on preschool activities and individual and occupational therapy. They were helped in their communication, cognition, motor, sensory integration, social and emotional skills.

The Christensens say their sons have made enormous strides since they began at VIA Services.

In the beginning Ryan was using only single words and was unaware of the other children in the class. Now Ryan is more focused and engaged with others. Meanwhile, Owen was physically weak and unable to follow directions consistently or interact with his peers. Now he is using short phrases, has improved his physical strength and gained independence in activities such as dressing himself.

"Owen has really flourished," Freccero says. "He's very social and loves people. We'll hear him down the hall saying hello to every single person he meets."

The Christensens say they are also able to incorporate the tools they've learned at VIA Services into their own house, which helps make life at home more manageable.

"Yes, there have been some setbacks but you just do everything you can to see changes," says Christensen. "It's a life-changing experience, but it's worth it."

The Christensens admit that having twin toddlers with developmental problems can be overwhelming.

"Little things you take for granted like cooking, eating or dressing takes a lot of extra time for us," Eric Christensen, 40, says.

The family says they are fortunate to have a strong support system of family and friends. It has helped them cope with the challenges.

Parents, in-laws, siblings, friends and Tatiana Siakaliouk, who has been the twins' nanny since the boys were just a few months old, have all reached out.

With the extra help, Christensen is able to work part time in sales and marketing while her husband works full time in business sales.

The Christensens spend as much time as possible interacting with Ryan and Owen, whether it's a bike ride or a trip to the park.

Every night "family time" is scheduled in the living room to play games and activities.

"Sometimes things can get so chaotic," Lori Christensen says, "but for all four of us to get together and spend quality time is really helpful and important."

Owen and Ryan may have learned a lot, but the Christensens say they have learned life lessons as well from the experience.

"It's okay for me to be late. Taking the extra time to make sure the boys do something right is probably the greatest lesson I've learned," Lori Christensen says. "I can worry about being on time, but my kids will never learn to be self-sufficient."

Despite the challenges, both parents say the experience has been more than worth it.

"It's been a wild ride with lots of sleepless nights," Eric Christensen says, "but it's been amazing. They've made fatherhood more fun then I ever thought it could be."