Anne Chadwick Williams

Melissa Kinley is the caregiver for her disabled son, Kevin, 17, and receives $10.40 for 9 hours of care a day. In reality, her son receives round the clock to care. She could be cut back to minimum wage if a budget-saving recommendation by the governor goes through...Melissa Kinley is a remarkable mother although she can't imagine not doing what she does. When her son, Kevin, was born, doctors said he wouldn't make it out of the hospital. Then they said he wouldn't make it to be two years old, then four years old. Melissa stopped listening to them. Now Kevin is 18, and although he can't walk, talk, or eat, he knows a few communication signs, is an avid baseball fan, and goes to school. For 18 years, Melissa has risen every two hours during the night to suction and rotate Kevin to make sure he can breathe freely and lie comfortably. Melissa says she's just a mother doing what anyone would do for the child they love..