Photos: "State of Denial" project, Kyra Wade
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Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
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“State of Denial” is a joint project between the Arizona Daily Star and the Local Reporting Network of ProPublica, a nonprofit investigative news outlet that helps local media produce accountability journalism.
Kyra Wade is featured in the story about Arizona's Division of Developmental Disabilities. Kyra was born premature at about 27 weeks and just a little over 2 pounds. She is autistic and deaf. She has a strong tremor in her hand makes it impossible for her to use American Sign Language. Wade has a full-time nanny through the Arizona's Developmental Disabilities Division.
Kyra Wade
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When Kyra Wade, 11, center, becomes frustrated she will hit herself on the side of her head. Kelly Christiansen, her nanny, left, and Kadambari, her mother, hold her hands to stop Kyra from hitting herself as they try and get her to do an online class session for 10 minutes in her home in Chandler, Ariz. on August 21, 2020.
Kyra Wade
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Kyra Wade, 11, left, leads Angelica Fierros, 18, a caregiver, upstairs to Kyra's bedroom in her home in Chandler, Ariz. on August 21, 2020.
Kyra Wade
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Kyra Wade, 11, sits in her rifton chair as her father, Wyly, logs into her online class session which lasts for 10 minutes from their home in Chandler, Ariz. on August 21, 2020.
Kyra Wade
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Kyra Wade, 11, receives help from her mother, Kadambari, to answer questions for her online class session which lasts for 10 minutes from their home in Chandler, Ariz. on August 21, 2020.
Kyra Wade
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Kyra Wade, 11, lays on the sofa and watches a Disney movie in her home in Chandler, Ariz. on August 21, 2020.
Kyra Wade
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Kyra Wade, 11, watches a Disney movie in her bed as Kelly Christiansen, her nanny, rubs Kyra's arm in her home in Chandler, Ariz. on August 21, 2020. Wade cannot be left alone, so someone is always with her.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
As featured on
Arizonans with developmental disabilities were promised help. Instead, they face delays and denials.
When state services don’t come through, Arizonans with developmental disabilities struggle with a system balanced on the backs of families.
Cuando los servicios estatales no llegan, los arizonenses con discapacidades del desarrollo luchan con un sistema que recae sobre las espaldas de las familias.
When state services don’t come through, Arizonans with developmental disabilities struggle with a system balanced on the backs of families.
