June 3, 2009
Honorable Judge Woods:
I am a pediatrician in the Foster Care Clinic at The Children’s Hospital. I am writing this letter on behalf of a very special patient of mine, Tomorrow ******.
I first met Tomorrow when she was 5 months old. She had been placed in Foster Care with J****** and Michael F** at 5-1/2 weeks of age. As you know, as a very young infant
Tomorrow suffered incredible traumatic injury, and is lucky to be alive. Over the past 16 months, I have watched this infant absolutely thrive under the care of her Foster Parents.
For example, pediatricians rely heavily on growth parameters in the first year of life as an indicator of overall health. When Tomorrow first presented to Children’s with her extensive injuries, she was at the 25% of weight for infant girls her age. Under J****** and Michael’s care, she has not only maintained this growth rate, but has accelerated, and now is close to the 50%. Her length/height has increased from the 25% to 75% during the same time. Finally, her head growth which reflects brain growth/development has increased from 10% to almost 50% - wow!
For example, pediatricians rely heavily on growth parameters in the first year of life as an indicator of overall health. When Tomorrow first presented to Children’s with her extensive injuries, she was at the 25% of weight for infant girls her age. Under J****** and Michael’s care, she has not only maintained this growth rate, but has accelerated, and now is close to the 50%. Her length/height has increased from the 25% to 75% during the same time. Finally, her head growth which reflects brain growth/development has increased from 10% to almost 50% - wow!
In addition, pediatricians follow developmental progress, especially in young infants. Tomorrow has reached her developmental milestones under Michael and J******’s care far ahead of infants her age, and even ahead of infants several months older. She is actually the most developmentally advanced infant I have ever seen in 15 years of practice/3 years of Residency. At 6 months, Tomorrow was crawling, pulling up to stand, pushing chair around the room, saying mama specifically and daddy specifically to J****** and Michael respectively, and saying several other words. Most infants do not achieve these milestones until 9-14 months of age. Again…wow!
Finally, the most important aspect of Tomorrow's healing, resilience, and ability to thrive is her very securely bonded relationship with her Foster Parents. She adores them, trusts them, and is willing to let herself flourish under their care. Any child who survived the trauma that
Tomorrow did as a young infant would expectedly and understandably be withdrawn, delayed, and unable to bond with adults for some time. Tomorrow has defied all of these sorts of expectations.
I truly believe this beautiful child who could have died at a very young age is in the most ideal home I can imagine to guarantee her success. She absolutely needs this consistent, loving, nurturing environment to become all that she has the potential to be in life.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. And thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Kathleen (Kiki) Traylor, MD
Pediatric Physician, The Children’s Hospital Foster Care Clinic
Senior Manager, Government Affairs, Amgen Inc.
Former Colorado State Senator
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