Their first concern was the “baby.”

Like thousands of parents in Flint, when news of high lead levels in the city’s municipal water broke in Genesee County and, later, the nation, Ryan Patton and his parents John and Sandra feared for their little one’s well-being. Even while enjoying the relative safety of a well source from nearby Clayton Township, Patton’s daughter MaRyah, 5, had been exposed to Flint water while at school and during regular visits with relatives.

“It’s kind of a huge deal for people in the city to have to live that way and still be asking what the solution is going to be,” says Patton, 26. “Should you move away? Just different questions that any responsible parent would ask.”

But while health authorities have addressed initial concerns surrounding water consumption and significant lead levels detected in residents exposed to supplies from the Flint River, the Pattons remain vigilant. With support from his parents John and Sandra, Patton monitors MaRyah.

The Pattons, like many other households in the city that have suffered a terrible health crisis, say they are determined to protect their child through nutrition and lifestyle habits.

“Generally, I want to maintain her health through just feeding her the right things,” Patton says.
Reinforcing their norm of regular meals with fruit, vegetables and lean meat has been key, he adds. Whether giving MaRyah strawberries, which are one of her favorite snacks instead of candy, or preparing a meal, Patton says he keeps a balanced diet in mind. In place of soda, she occasionally enjoys chocolate milk another flavored, but natural snack.

“I guess she kind of inherited it from me, because I like chocolate milk,” Patton says.

Like most children, MaRyah loves cereal, but she’s also receptive to a dinner that includes such veggies as broccoli, peas or salad, served with her grandmother’s fried catfish.

“She’s good, compared with her dad and her uncle, my other son,” says Sandra Patton. “She loves apples and oranges. She loves tomatoes and peaches.”

It’s helpful he and her mother agree about the importance of nutrition, says MaRyah’s dad. When MaRyah is with her mother in nearby Grand Blanc there’s little deviation from the rule of nutritional do’s and don’ts.

Her pre-school sponsors regular field trips to community sites like Flint Farmers Market, where fresh, healthy produce is sold.

Another plus is some restaurants now offer alternate water sources and inform customers in the wake of declining business, Patton says. He and MaRyah still enjoy visits to places like Applebee’s, her favorite dining spot.

As in thousands of households since the lead issue was identified, drinking filtered or bottled water has become standard practice for the Pattons when visiting Flint family members. Bottled water lines the hallways of MaRyah’s pre-school in downtown Flint.

Meanwhile, convincing her to be physically active takes little effort.

“I like playing with my jump-jump,” MaRyah says of her trampoline, “and with my car.”

Even though she enjoys a cruise in her motorized, mini-Cadillac now and then, she’ll also stretch her little legs when she and her grandparents visit the neighborhood park.

“She’s a very active kid. She likes things like that,” Sandra Patton adds.

Prayer to “the sustainer of your health” is part of her family prescription, Sandra says. But while he and, no doubt, parents like him throughout metropolitan Flint have raised their standard for keeping children healthy, Ryan Patton says he wonders if he’s doing enough to offset MaRyah’s earlier exposure to possibly tainted water.

Proper nutrition, plenty of play, positive action and prayer have taken on heightened importance in the Patton family’s everyday lives and remain central to their commitment to continue to move forward.

Editor’s Note: To learn about delicious, healthy recipes that help protect against lead absorption, click on the plum-colored shield at: www.mihotm.recipes

  Flint Farmer’s Market, foods that protect against lead absorbtion, lead absorption, lead exposure, Michigan Harvest of the Month

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