When their first born, Nate, was diagnosed with autism at age two and a half, his parents were devastated. They were unfamiliar with the disorder and didn’t know where to turn for help. They watched their son withdraw from the world around him.
When 14-year old Todd aimed for the basket and yelled “slam-dunk!” the points scored registered well beyond the basketball court. The fact that Todd could successfully participate in a team sport, plus have a group of friends to play with, was not in his playbook when he arrived on Bellefaire JCB's residential campus.
Last year, Bellefaire JCB’s Jewish Day School counselors were assigned to work with Talia, a kindergarten student at one of the Orthodox Jewish schools who had difficulty socializing with other children. Talia often seemed like she was in her own world and would talk to herself.
Adoption has brought Jennifer and Brian everything they could dream of in a family. The couple’s decision to adopt followed more than four years of infertility treatment.
From the moment 4-year-old Madeline walked into the classroom there was no doubt where the action was going to be that year. This delightfully energetic and creative child had a strong personality.
George and his wife Sherry have been getting ready for the Easter weekend visit of their sons. This is no ordinary Easter. Not only does this mark the anniversary of the first foster youth the couple welcomed into their home, but is also the first time that all three of their foster “sons” will be home together.
The first time Amy visited her new student Jake in his home, his two-year-old brother Damon came sliding down the banister clad only in red underwear. Jake’s mom rolled her eyes and said, “I’m going to need help with that one too.”
When 3-year-old Parker entered JDN a year ago he suddenly had lots of new things in his life — new friends, new school and a new language.
Ten-year-old David had been suffering from depression since his parents’ divorce a year ago. He had withdrawn from his friends and teachers noticed a decline in school.
"If someone had told me a year ago that Benjamin would be able to speak in short sentences, engage in cooperative play, and ask for help, I would never have believed it," said Marisa, Benjamin’s mother.