Shared by his mother, Sharon
Aunty Jennifer, it is Jason’s first day of primary school. He was a bit emotional and anxious this morning, but it is expected. I dropped him off, and now I am waiting to pick him up and see how he is …
So, in this moment let me say once again “Thank you for everything that you’ve done”. It is by the Grace of God and His Mercy that we ended up at Mindstretch.
I am so thankful for the 3 years Jason had at Mindstretch. You welcomed us with open arms. I ask that God continues to BLESS you, the school and your wonderful teachers and assisting teachers. That your school will prosper for many years. It takes a special kind of teacher to LOVE our Special Needs kids. Thank you for opening your house and your heart to our children.
“There is no amount of money a parent can put on the value of all you have done for our boy.”
Since the day Jason joined Mindstretch, there has been tremendous change and growth. One would not say that he is autistic. He has gone from non-verbal to very verbal. He likes to tell me “Mommy, please, you talk too much“. You see, he is now raising his opinion, his VOICE and letting us know how he feels. He has found his voice and I am very proud of him. He sometimes still struggles with expressing himself, but he will then tell us his thoughts by using the cartoons or animation story lines, which we have learned to interpret.
I am going to miss Mindstretch, maybe even more than Jason will. I will miss seeing you all in the morning when I would drop Jason off. I will miss all the hellos of the children and the talking to other parents. I have been looking through my Mindstretch photos with so many priceless memories. The friends he made. The daily photos we received from yourself or the teachers.
The Lord has placed you in our lives, to assist us and you have been a part of the plan the Lord has for Jason. Jason has gone from Labelling to Enabling. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart.
“Arriving at Mindstretch would make everything feel good and right in the morning, and for the day.”
And so how was the first day? We called Sharon to find out.
Jason returned home in a happy mood, excited and chatty as he listed the names of all his new friends. So different to when we first met him at Mindstretch. Then he took to the corner with eyes wide and anxious. As his mom notes, he had no words back then and kept to himself.
By the time Jason graduated, he was a well-adjusted and happy little boy. He would initiate a greeting, chat a fair bit, enjoyed the limelight, and was often to be found at the centre of a game. There was noticeable improvement in his academics and social skills. Even more than that, there was the amazing blossoming of his personal confidence. It was and is a wonderful thing to witness.
