Today is the day

Shawn is loaded and ready to move into the dorm.

Today is the day that Shawn starts the Summer Bridge program. 

Early this morning as I lay awake in bed with a million things running through my mind, I reflected on the progress Shawn has made in the 14 years since he became my son. 

When he was 6 years old he could not yet use silverware, he ate everything with his hands. At 7 years old he had his first Grand Mal seizure and forgot how to identify colors and letters.

At 12 years old he had cascading seizures and had to be airlifted to Barrow Neurological hospital because nothing was working to get the seizures to stop. Shawn nearly did not survive the seizures. His doctor told us the he was surprised that Shawn remembered how to talk after the seizures. Shawn did have a lot of regression but he was still himself. While he was in the hospital recovering he had surgery to have a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) implanted and set up. The VNS helped reduce Shawn's seizure activity. 
At 17 years old Shawn had his first normal EEG. A few months later at a follow up appointment we found out that his VNS was no longer working. Now Shawn is approaching his 4th year of being Seizure Free.
This morning Shawn came to tell me his alarm went off and that he needed to get ready to move to the dorm.
While he was getting ready this morning he mentioned the dorm in almost every sentence he said.
Now he is moved in and we are at orientation learning what his schedule and what his life on campus will be like. We never thought we would be sitting here!

Thank you all for your generosity and support of Shawn in his path to independence. 

~Katheryn

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Shawn's Going to College!

#smallthingsLeadToBIGTHINGS

It started with small changes, little things that we noticed were changing with Shawn. He was growing up, right before our eyes. Then suddenly the changes seemed huge, as though he grew up overnight and matured into a learning and independent young man.

Shawn is entering into his next stage of transitioning from being a student with special needs to being a young adult in the world.

Those who know him know he has some challenges that many others do not.  He has lived with his diagnoses of moderate to severe cognitive impairment, global seizure disorder, and autism spectrum disorder-yet overall he maintains a pretty positive outlook on the world.

We were interviewed for the WBRC Fox 6 News story on the Summer Bridge Program.

Summer Bridge gives college experience to students with intellectual disabilities

Shawn has made huge gains in the last year with his transition program at CrossingPoints interacting with typical college students and learning more independent living skills.  Some examples have been his work experiences at the University of Alabama student recreation center and his performance as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz.  This summer he is taking the opportunity to live as a college student with the Summer Bridge program through CrossingPoints.

Most of us know that anything with the word "university" in it means "expensive," and this is no exception. While the program itself has several grants, Shawn still has to pay for Housing, Books, and tuition for any regular College courses he takes. However, unlike a regular college program, Shawn cannot receive any Grants, Scholarships, or Student Loans to cover these expenses. That is where this fundraiser will help. Even small donations can help!

Shawn's family has long been supportive of him, and now is no different, but while we thought we were helping, it seems that we have been holding him back.  In the past year his growth has been more than was ever expected, and this opportunity at the Summer Bridge program has potential to make so many positive differences in his life.

This program has the possibility to dramatically change the trajectory for Shawn's future.  It will help him develop more independent living skills, and potentially, give him the skills to live on his own.

The monies collected here will pay the tuition and some of his living expenses for this tremendous opportunity. Any money raised beyond those goals will be put into an ABLE savings account for Shawn to use for future education and supports.

We thank you for whatever you can do to help him out.
James and Katheryn Meadows

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