Born Into Crisis: Taylor makes remarkable progress at 8 years old | Flint Water Emergency [Video]

FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – As the world was learning that lead had leached into Flint’s water system and made its way into the taps and bodies of the city’s children, a mother was giving birth to her son, Taylor Williams.

ABC12 has been following his progress since he was a newborn struggling to survive in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Hurley Children’s Hospital. At the time, his family was told the long-term effects of tainted water were unknown.

Now as a second-grader, some of the effects of the lead exposure are becoming evident. But the difference that can be made by early intervention a mother’s sheer will also are becoming clear.

On a sunny afternoon in Flint, Taylor is working on a rite of passage for most young …