RICHMOND COUNTY -- Something the Richmond Observer prides itself on is being able to deliver newsworthy stories that have a positive impact on the community. And the third installment of the “Top Stories of the Year” series is just that.
Just a week after the RO launched, the story of Reverend James Brigman and his heroic journey crossed its editor’s desk, and finds it as the No. 2 news story of 2017.
Below is the RO’s release from early July on Brigman’s journey to Washington, D.C., in hopes to bring attention to something – and someone – he holds close to his heart:
Friday, July 7, 2017
A Walk for Life
Rockingham – Inspiration can take many forms. For Reverend James Brigman, Jr., pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church and his wife, Lori, it comes in the form of a child.
And this child is their nine-year-old daughter, Lauren Faith Brigman, who is a CAP/C (Community Alternative Program/Children) child. This means she is considered medically fragile for life.
And for the reverend, he’s not prepared to sit around and remain inactive. Instead, he’s set to walk from Rockingham, N.C., to Washington, D.C., in hopes of spreading awareness.
The CAP/C program is a Medicaid waiver program created to provide services for medically fragile children under 21 who are at risk of institutional care. It allows children who need long-term nursing care to stay at home with their family instead of having to stay in a nursing home or hospital.
“She (Lauren Faith) would never have survived without CAP/C,” Lori Brigman stated. “With it, she’s happy and know she’s loved.”
This program allows the Brigman to receive in-home services while her parents work. The Brigmans are concerned that cuts will be made in Medicaid, endangering the CAP/C program that her mother says has kept Brigman alive since her birth in Chapel Hill as a 1 pound, 11-ounce premature baby.
During her seconnd month of pregnancy, Brigman contracted a rare virus, which affected the development of her unborn child’s brain.
Following the birth of Brigman, her parents worried how they were going to be able to afford insurance for their child. They were self-employed and couldn’t afford their own insurance at the time. Then they heard about the CAP/C Medicaid program.
This program began after President Ronald Reagan signed a bill allowing medically fragile children to receive care in the comfort and security of their own homes, while reducing the overall costs of care. Brigman remains under the care of nearly 10 specialists in Chapel Hill for every part of her body.
CAP/C children are expensive children to cover and every funding cut in North Carolina is a risk to the well-being of these children.
“The population of medically fragile children could unintentionally be overlooked if not for advocates speaking out and putting the information out there,” Brigman stated. “My fear is that items may not be written in the bill to protect these children. If Medicaid cuts are made, it could risk their care and coverage. It may even mean the difference between life and death.”
Brigman also noted that Medicare cuts are being discussed right now in Washington, D.C. It could come to a vote in the coming weeks. CAP/C makes it possible for their daughter to have a life.
James Brigman wants not only his daughter’s voice to be heard, but those of other families across the nation. He wants Washington to take the time to really look at this health reform on Medicaid.
And that’s why he is walking to Washington.
Brigman left from Harrington square in downtown Rockingham at 6 a.m. Friday morning, and says he’ll walk if it will bring awareness to this program.
“I stand for Lauren Faith because she cannot stand, and I walk for Lauren Faith because she cannot walk,” Brigman said about the reason for his journey. “I speak for Lauren Faith because she cannot speak. And I lift Lauren Faith up because she lifts me.
More information can be found on the Brigmans' Facebook page, or by emailing (jebrigman@msn.com) or calling (910) 331-1049.
