When Angelica and Jamie Guzman welcomed their daughter Yuliana “Yuli” Guzman into the world, they quickly realized their parenting journey would include challenges they never expected.
Shortly after birth, Yuli did not pass her newborn hearing screenings. Through a referral from Sound Beginnings, the family was connected to Rainbows United and a network of specialists who would help guide them through the unknown.
Today, Yuli is approaching 18 months old and continues to make meaningful progress every day.
Yuli has profound hearing loss and was born without an auditory nerve. She also has an underdeveloped facial nerve, suspected Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), and a genetic bone disorder called Osteochondroma that runs in her family.
“At first, we didn’t know what all of that meant or what to do next,” Angelica shared.
Through Rainbows United, Yuli receives speech therapy and physical therapy while also working with specialists through Kansas School for the Deaf and Kansas State School for the Blind. Her support team includes Katie Bally, speech-language pathologist; Jamee Funk, physical therapist; Darcy Beaver and Twila Latini, teachers of the deaf; and Teri Chaney, teacher of the visually impaired.
Together, the team helps support Yuli’s communication, mobility, hearing, vision, and developmental growth.
“Rainbows stepped in right away,” Angelica said. “They’ve helped us understand Yuli and how to support her, and they’ve connected us to resources we didn’t even know existed.”
Yuli is currently working on learning to walk and imitate signs as her developmental skills continue to grow.
“She’s a smart little girl,” Angelica said. “She learns quickly, and overall, her personality is so funny. She’s highly motivated and loves to figure things out on Yuli’s time.”
For Jamie and Angelica, one of the biggest impacts has been feeling supported and informed instead of being overwhelmed and alone.
“Rainbows has been a blessing for our family,” Jamie shared. “They have given us information, resources, and confidence as parents.”
Angelica says the care their family receives goes far beyond appointments and therapy sessions.
“With my whole team, I feel like they truly care about our family, and Yuliana is not just another kid to check off their list,” she said. “I honestly don’t know what I would have done without Rainbows staff.”
Outside of therapy, the Guzman family enjoys spending time together and making memories with their three children. Angelica and Jamie have been together for 19 years and are also parents to Jose, 17, and Raul, 12.
They enjoy family BBQs, swimming, trips to the park, and playing games together—including a Mexican bingo-style game called Lotería when friends and family visit.
Yuli especially loves attention from her older brother Raul, who enjoys making her laugh and keeping her entertained. Angelica says Yuli also loves watching her older brothers help their dad outside, whether they are fixing cars or taking care of the family’s roosters.
Families like Guzmans remind us that early intervention is not just about therapy—it is about connection, partnership, education, and hope.
Through collaboration between families, therapists, educators, and community resources, children like Yuli are given the opportunity to grow, thrive, and reach milestones in their own unique way.
