
"April Perez was 22 years old when she had her first daughter. Enrolling in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC, was a lifesaver. "With her being my first child," she said, "I was still finding my way through motherhood." The program helped her access healthy foods for her family, get formula when she wasn't able to produce enough breastmilk to breastfeed her daughter."
"Perez's husband works long days in construction, but she doesn't work due to a number of health issues. She has cerebral palsy, which makes it hard for her to stand, use her arms and hands, or sometimes even walk, and hydrocephalus. WIC benefits help keep her family afloat. Perez, who lives in Virginia, now has two more daughters, a 3-year-old and a 3-month-old, and all three of her children are enrolled in WIC."
WIC serves about 6.7 million low-income mothers and children ages 5 and under, offering food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health care referrals. Enrollment provided April Perez access to healthy foods, formula when breastfeeding was insufficient, and a health insurance referral for her child. WIC benefits reduced financial pressure during her transition to motherhood and helped Perez and her husband save for housing. Perez cannot work due to cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus while her husband works long construction days. WIC assistance supports the family’s basic needs and keeps all three of Perez’s children enrolled and fed.
Read at Truthout
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