Testimonials

 Tell me a little bit about your family.
We are proud parents to six children, ranging in age from 7 to 22.  Our journey to building our family may differ from the typical family narrative, just as our family itself is unique. Our skin tones vary, and each of us has distinct abilities, skills, assets, and needs. These traits are what make our family special and something we wholeheartedly embrace.

In 2013, after years of dreaming and discussing the idea of expanding our family through adoption, we made the decision to take action and turn our dreams into reality. We had decided we would be open to any child, including those with special needs. After a period of waiting we received a call informing us of a baby girl born with Down Syndrome and were asked, “Would you be interested in parenting her?” Without hesitation, we replied, “YES!”

Over the next few months we prayfully considered continuing to expand our family through adoption. We both agreed that this next adoption would look a bit different; we were ONLY seeking a child with special needs. Over the next few years we welcomed three more children into our family—two more delightful girls with Down syndrome (Corrie, 9, and CJ, 8) and one clever little boy (Azariah, 7) who has several neurological diagnoses and genetic anomalies, earning him the nickname “puzzle” from most doctors.

Tell me about how your family found MDE School.

The transition from early intervention to public school was not as easy as we had been led to believe. We quickly recognized that our local school was either unable or unwilling to accommodate the diverse needs of our children. Two of our children relied on g-tubes for nutrition, consuming no food orally, and one was on a feeding pump 24/7. As a result, we were informed that she would be confined to a harnessed chair throughout the day for safety.

The idea of her being restricted to a harnessed chair, unable to engage in most activities, and lacking a teacher or aide to help her with mobility was terrifying! We knew we needed to explore alternative options, and we set out to find one.

Our search took us from Tennessee to Georgia, and in January 2020, just weeks before the COVID outbreak and mass school closures, our family of eight moved. Following those onset delays, but with high hopes for improved services for our children, we began our education journey in GA at a school designed to accommodate children with neurodevelopmental challenges. Sadly, it became clear that it would not be a long-term solution. Each of our children had unique needs that were not being addressed or nurtured effectively.

Then we discovered MDE! After extensive research, referrals, and reviews, we arranged a meeting with Mindy, and that was it! Paislie was our first child to enroll at MDE, and we quickly saw her success. It was through this experience that we began the transition of our other children to MDE. MDE doesn’t merely accommodate children; they celebrate them. They view each child’s unique set of abilities as a strength, fostering an environment where they can learn and thrive in ways they never imagined. MDE embraces challenges.

When I explained that our youngest three were incontinent and in diapers and two were g-tube dependent, they responded, “That’s fine, we’ll train whoever we need to train in order to assist and serve your family.” That reply was unexpected and exactly what my heart needed to hear. In that moment, and many since, I knew our four children would be loved, supported, challenged, and cared for at MDE for years to come.

I am delighted to share that our youngest three are now fully potty trained, and our two children, who previously relied on g-tubes, are now eating orally. This achievement would not have been possible within this timeframe without the unwavering support, commitment, and collaboration of MDE. I could go on about the countless ways MDE has supported our family—there’s enough material for a book! The most important takeaway is that MDE is not just another school but a refuge for families like mine. MDE prioritizes its students and families above all else. It stands as a beacon in this community, one that I am proud to be part of and support.