The Arc of Warren Helps a Family Cope with a Daughter’s Diagnosis

Washington, N.J., May 16, 2019 – Miriellys Colon and her husband, Alex, learned that before their daughter was born that she would have severe disabilities. Their daughter, Aerilyn, was to have Trisomy 13 – a condition that is so rare that it is not talked about very much.

Trisomy 13 is a condition where the median age of life is 7 to 10 days with 86% to 91% of all cases not living beyond a year.

“After Aerilyn was born we were told to take her home to prepare for the worst,” says Miriellys. “I had no one to talk to, was home alone caring for my child 24/7 and focusing on the gravity of my situation. Luckily, I was eventually referred to The Arc of Warren County’s Early Intervention program. They helped pave the way to provide us with much needed services.”

The Early Intervention team provided the Colon family with support, compassion and resources. They were assigned a service coordinator and provided Aerilyn with physical, occupational and speech therapies. They provided the family with help to ensure that Aerilyn had all of the resources available. The Arc of Warren County worked with the Colons and donated a wheelchair accessible van for Aerilyn. As a result of the knowledge that was gained from their Early Intervention team, the Colons were able to secure nursing help to relieve Miriellys as Aerilyn will always need continual care.

“The Arc of Warren County’s Early Intervention staff were the only people who gave me hope which has kept me going for the past five years since Aerilyn was born,” says Miriellys. “Their help was truly life changing and I will forever be grateful.”

To learn more about The Arc of Warren County’s Early Intervention programs, please visit njeis.org or call 1-888-653-4463.

The Arc of Warren County will be holding a Radiothon fundraiser with WRNJ on June 5, 2019 to raise funds for the programs that the organization provides to individuals and families in the community. Those who are interested in becoming a Very Involved Person (VIP) to help with this opportunity are encouraged to contact Annamaria Lalevee, Director of Public Relations and Fundraising at The Arc of Warren County, at (908) 223-0884 or at ALalevee@arcwarren.org Donations can be made online, as well at radiothon.arcwarren.org

About The Arc and The Arc of Warren County

The Arc is a national organization that serves individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their family members since 1950. The Arc of Warren County is one of 700 chapters of The Arc and serves more than 1,100 people annually for the past 65 years. Programs include residential group homes and supervised apartments, day services, community based supports, advocacy services, recreation and summer camp, Special Olympics training, early intervention and a wide variety of additional social services.

About WRNJ Radio

WRNJ (104.7, 92.7, 105.7 FM and 1510 AM) is known as “Northwest Jersey’s Own” and has been instrumental in helping raise over $1.3 million for the Arc of Warren in the course of 28 Radiothons since 1990. The station’s format features strong local news content augmented by the ABC Radio News Network. WRNJ is well known for its community involvement with strong personalities and features a music blend that combines “Today’s Hits & Yesterday’s Favorites.” WRNJ has been broadcasting locally since 1976 and is owned by Norman Worth and Larry Tighe.

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