RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) -- Tommy has been a bright spot for the Watson family, but there have been challenges.
"It was tough. Everything seemed fine, and he was reaching some milestones early as months passed," said Doug Watson.
At around 8 months old, the Watsons received the news that Tommy had cerebral palsy. This marked the beginning of a challenging journey, as they navigated the complexities of managing Tommy's condition alongside their three other children.
"People used to say until they found out how difficult it was, they said you guys make it look so easy," shared Watson, reflecting on the misconceptions surrounding their situation.
He says they went years without vacations and didn't ask for help, but they quickly learned that assistance would be essential.
"It was a relief we were able to do things with our kids that we wouldn't normally do," said Watson.
Today, Tommy is 35 years old, and they gained additional support this year from the Tammy Lynn Center.
"More than 200,000 people are living in North Carolina with Intellectual and developmental disabilities," said Tammy Lynn Center CEO Sarah Crawford.
The center in Raleigh is the largest Intellectual and developmental disability care facility in North Carolina. They offer residential care, therapeutic programs, care management, and day services.
"When you have a child with developmental disabilities or any type of disability, it impacts not only that child but the entire family," said Crawford.
Crawford says 1.3 million people in North Carolina act as caregivers, and studies have shown that 60 percent of caregivers say it has affected their mental health.
"We are constantly working to lift families. We have a family group we meet with to bring people together to talk about issues and provide resources," said Crawford.
Currently, TLC has 18,000 people on its waiting list, and the Watson family is among the fortunate ones who found a nurturing environment for Tommy after a few years.
"From the top down, they're just wonderful individuals, and they really, truly care for your child," expressed Watson, highlighting the profound impact of TLC's support on their family.
If you're interested in learning more about TLC and the valuable resources it offers, you can find more information here.