Elmer City couple needs help with baby

An Elmer City couple needs some help with their near 2-year-old baby, Victoria.

Victoria was born with brain damage and eyesight problems to Stephanie Detwiler New and Daniel New Detwiler. (The two determined to keep their own names when they were married so each took the other's as a middle name.)

Their baby, who will be 2 in March, suffers from optic nerve damage and brain damage and requires constant attention.

These conditions require that the couple take Victoria, whose nickname is "Tori," to Omak twice a week and Spokane four times a month for treatment and testing. The frequent doctor appointments and travel are wearing the couple out, and becoming too expensive to keep up.

"I worry about our 1996 van when we make the trips, just how long it will last," Stephanie stated.

Accordingly, the couple have set up an account at North Cascades Bank in Grand Coulee where people can help with donations to Victoria New Detwiler. The mailing address for NCB is Box G, Grand Coulee, WA., 99133.

The Detwilers have lived in Elmer City for a year and a half, moving there so Stephanie could be near her mother-in-law, Angel New.

Currently, Stephanie has a job with Jack's Service, while Daniel stays home to care for Victoria.

This is all happening as the couple also raise two other children, 13 and 7.

Stephanie calls Victoria her "intelligent little girl." Stephanie notes, "She has taught me so much."

She sees some rehabilitation with the brain treatments. The eyesight problem, a defective optic nerve, is a big problem. Victoria has some sight, and treatment for her eyes began when she was 3 months old.

"We are told that Tori has 10 percent normal vision," Stephanie said. "Neither outlook looks good."

Stephanie can be reached at 633-8066.