“I never thought that I’d live to see that from him.”
Tears still flow freely when Cheryl Sanchez talks about her son Alex’s graduation from Washtenaw ISD’s High Point School. Alex and fellow St. Louis Center resident Keaven Foss recently graduated, a milestone that once seemed impossible to Cheryl.
Keaven couldn’t stop smiling. Proudly showing off his graduation gown and gifts, he declared, “I’m smart.” He is. And so is Alex.
Alex was happy to share the milestone with his brother.
A Mother’s Joy
“I was so proud of Alex and how far he’s come,” Cheryl said. “It was amazing. Life-changing.”
In 2018, Cheryl made the difficult decision to move Alex to St. Louis Center. As a single mother, she had done everything she could to care for her son. Nonverbal and over six feet tall, Alex’s frustrations often led to aggressive behavior. He would bang his head against the wall, sometimes breaking through the drywall.
“It hurt to let him go,” Cheryl said. “But I realized after a couple of years it was the best decision I ever made.”
Today, Alex is a different person. He loves music and dancing. He is happy. His communication skills have improved dramatically, and he seldom acts out.
“His communication has been much better since he’s been in school,” Cheryl said. “I think his violence was part of not being able to communicate. He learned how in school.”
In addition to the outstanding teachers at High Point School, Cheryl credits the love, patience, and dedication of the staff at St. Louis Center.
“Everyone is patient and understanding and communicates with me on every little thing,” she said. “I couldn’t have made a better decision.”
Our Gratitude
You help make stories like Alex’s and Keaven’s possible.
Every day, your generosity helps provide the care, support, opportunities, and encouragement that allow our residents to learn, grow, and achieve milestones many families once thought were out of reach.
Please help create more life-changing moments with your gift today.
Donate by credit card, debit, or EFT using the online form below, or send a check to St. Louis Center 16195 Old US 12, Chelsea, MI 48118.
