Even Tony and Lauren Dungy sometimes need help

Parents cherish each and every moment of a child's life, but there are certain days that stand out, key moments we replay in our minds without aid of video or photographs.

Lauren Dungy, wife of Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, is no different. Speaking at the Early Childhood Council of Hillsborough County's 25th anniversary luncheon Tuesday, she recalled how God blessed her family seven years ago with a "beautiful, sweet, baby boy with a calm and precious spirit."

Then she recalled the day they realized Jordan might have some developmental problems. The pediatrician characterized his challenges as "serious sensory integration and gross motor issues." The doctor referred the Dungys to a pediatric neurologist and other specialists to help them figure out what was going on inside Jordan's tiny body.

"My husband and I got up and walked out of the office and we did what most intelligent, seasoned, mature parents do. We panicked," Dungy said with a laugh. "But, seriously, we calmed down, took a couple of deep breaths. We reflected on the information and we had to trust God for direction and ask God for guidance.

"We knew we would be there for him all the way."

Another stand-out day on this inspirational journey? The day they conferred with the Johns Hopkins pediatric neurology department in Baltimore and learned that Jordan had a rare, incurable genetic defect known as congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA). Essentially, Jordan has an extremely high and unnecessary tolerance to pain.

"In addition, the doctor told us we could expect our child to have developmental delays, speech impairments, behavioral problems and health issues," Lauren said.

Friends offered prayers and support, but the best advice came from a family friend who advised Lauren to consider the services of the Early Childhood Council.

Through one of the council's programs, Jordan attained a thorough developmental screening and hearing test and received in-home speech, occupational and recreational therapy.

The Dungys wondered if Jordan would ever speak but he slowly began to form sounds, words, then sentences.

One of the days that stand out came when Jordan turned 3 and enrolled in a class.

"I was thinking he would never make it, they're going to have to call me," she said. "I looked at my watch all day, but there was no phone call. That was the day I realized he was going to be all right."

Today, Jordan is an "inquisitive, energetic first-grader" and participates in a general education setting with certain limits. Lauren says she can't imagine where he would be without the council.

In 1983, Luanne Panacek and Donna Glausser called out to childhood agencies in the hopes of creating a coalition to help guide parents and provide better social services for children with special needs.

To their amazement, everyone showed up on that day ready to engage. Everybody wanted to be a part of it. Everybody wanted to share.

It's yet another day Lauren Dungy cherishes when she thinks of Jordan.

That's all I'm saying.