Meet Abbi: 2022 Family Advocacy Day Champion

Abbi is participating in Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Day from June 12-14. Through this event, Abbi and her family will discuss her health journey, Children’s Wisconsin’s role in providing her with necessary health care services, and why the public and our elected officials must invest in the future of patients like Abbi.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected Abbi and her family greatly. Everyone has been isolated, especially Abbi and her siblings. Abbi's last year of a "typical" school year was third grade. She is now in sixth grade and a lot has changed physically, emotionally and developmentally.

When one of Abbi's close friends experienced a serious mental health crisis, it affected Abbi as well. Her mother, Akilah, always encouraged open and honest conversations about feelings and mental health. So, when 11-year-old Abbi asked for help, Akilah, brought her to the Yabuki Mental Health Walk-in Clinic at Children's Wisconsin to get her connected to the support she needed.

Abbi received counseling and tools to help her cope with her stress. The clinic also assisted the family with a referral for ongoing behavioral and emotional therapy where she’s setting goals and becoming a healthier version of herself.

The skills and techniques Abbi learned were immediately implemented and helped her to deal with stressful situations at school and at home. She was also able to better understand her own needs and communicate with her parents for better support.

“I’m grateful for the care my daughter receives at Children’s Wisconsin,” says Akilah. “They meet the needs of each child treated there holistically, physically, mentally and emotionally.” 

The family’s private insurance covers care but there are still high out-of-pocket costs. The family’s  insurance covers about half the cost of care, putting a burden on them to figure out finances to ensure that Abbi, and their other children, can get the help they deserve.

Today Abbi is doing much better. She's been able to cope with a very challenging situation, is able to better communicate her feelings and is back to baseline.