Only four in 10 Kansas City area kids are accessing early childhood programming. Support for these programs is pivotal in establishing lifelong academic success, while also improving long-term economic and social-emotional health outcomes. Start at Zero is a United Way Impact 100 partner helping some of our youngest Kansas Citians thrive. Makayla Weakley shares how it’s impacted her family.
I have a small little family—we’re loud, crazy, playful—but most importantly, we are loving and caring.
I’m a single mom, raising my three-year-old son, Amiir. When I first found out I was pregnant with him, I was definitely shocked and nervous. But I knew I was going to raise him to the best of my abilities.
But our path has not been easy. I was on bed rest the majority of the pregnancy, and he’s faced health challenges since his birth—including receiving a liver transplant.
As Amiir started growing, I was so thankful to get connected to Ms. Britney, a parent educator who now works with Start at Zero.
I had been noticing Amiir was having a hard time making eye contact and struggled with social interactions with other kids his age. Britney did some initial screening for developmental delays and got us connected to resources for additional testing. That’s when we found out my son has autism.
The whole time Ms. Britney has been willing to help, always willing to talk, and she’s really helped me learn how to be patient—both with myself and with Amiir. A lot of times, things can feel chaotic when you’re raising a special needs child. But she has taught me a lot about finding patience within myself.
I really didn’t have like a lot of confidence in anything pertaining to my son with his autism or really just any confidence in even raising him. The lessons Start at Zero has taught me have helped me to breathe, pay attention, and just not to rush through everything. He will learn at his pace, in his own way. I’ve learned to let him do his thing and then just be here to help him whenever he needs it.
My journey of parenting has at times been rocky—had its ups and downs. There are some things I may have wanted differently. But overall, being a mother, being a mother to Amiir, having the community that we have now, I’m just grateful for it. I appreciate the ups and downs. I appreciate the things I don’t understand, the things I will come to understand. I appreciate his disability because it has helped me learn how to be a woman, how to be a mother. I truly appreciate every day of our life together.
Start at Zero’s programs offered free. Having a parent educator come into your home, stand beside you through the good days and bad, helping you learn and grow, and strengthening your family is a priceless and life-changing gift.
I’m grateful to everyone who supports United Way, its early childhood programs like Start at Zero, making investments in families like mine. From the bottom of our hearts, my son Amiir and I want to say– thank you so much.