Meet the Grennlee/Jackson Family

KENDRA ROGERS, MS - EDITOR IN CHIEF • PHOTOS BY KENDRA ROGERS

Romona Greenlee is the godmother of Ayden and Braylon Jackson. She has had the boys since they were 18 months old. When she got the boys, she knew she had to do something to support them as they were crying all the time and breaking down emotionally. They were also non-verbal. She started at Oakland Family Services (https://www.oaklandfamilyservices.org/) to receive support for the boys. She then met Ms. Lisa, who referred her to Easter Seals (https://www. easterseals.com/MORC/) because they were non-verbal and had behavior issues. Easter Seals gave her tremendous support for the boys and how she can support them. They set the family up for a LUNA assessment, a comprehensive trauma assessment. Easter Seals was able to diagnose them with separation anxiety disorder, PTSD, and autism. They then went to OLHSA (https:// www.olhsa.org/en-us/head-start), Mr. Doc Smith with the Head Start program where the boys started ABA therapy. They were soon diagnosed with disruptive behavior disorder with trauma. Romona had to get evaluations through the special education department with Dr. Jamison and her team where they were evaluated and given an IEP with an ECDD (early childhood developmental delay) diagnosis. Dr. Jamison has been a kind and available resource for the trio since day one. Romona shares that “she impacts the surrounding community with her skills and compassion”. Dr. Jamison surrounds herself with a skilled and loving team to serve the community. After their more complete evaluations, the boys went to Peace Academy, doing 1/2 days, due to their separation anxiety and being non-verbal. The other part of the day was when they went to ABA therapy. They then were referred to St. Joseph’s (now Trinity in Pontiac (https://www.trinityhealthmichigan. org/find-a-service-or-specialty/ rehabilitation-and-physical-therapy/ speech-therapy) for occupational and speech therapies. To continue learning about their special brains, Romona began genetic testing through the Beaumont neuroscience division (https://www.beaumont.org/locations/ beaumont-neuroscience-center) and sent DNA samples to Germany.

After graduating from Peace, they went to kindergarten in a general education setting with resource room support at Owen Elementary. The boys were given a 504 with a behavior plan before going to the face-to-face program and getting diagnosed by Dr. Harris with ADHD and sensory issues. It was then that Romona realized the boys needed a smaller classroom setting. In the following years, the boys were placed into the EI program with the support of the staff and educators at Owen. Ayden is now at Walt Whitman under the supervision of Dr. Powell (principal), Ms. Boyd (teacher), and Ms. D (paraeducator). Braylon is now at Herrington Elementary under the supervision of Mr. Mickens (principal), Ms. Baker (teacher), Ms. Vaden (paraeducator), and Ms. Amy (paraeducator).

During these times, Romona knew she needed resources for the boys, so she reached out to the community to find all the resources she could to support them. Being a paraeducator herself, Romona knew where to go for resources. Some of the resources she found were: Michigan Alliance (https:// www.michiganallianceforfamilies. org/), which supported her during the IEP process; the PAL program with Jay Hicks which mentored the boys; with Traciee Hirsch at Pontiac United which allowed the boys to participate in baseball and martial arts; Center for Success (https://www.center4success. org/ ) which supports the boys reading literacy and are supported by Mary-Jo Ebert and Kendra Pitt; Ecommunity outreach services (https://www. ecommunityoutreach.org/), a parent and literacy program with CEO Eisher Banner; Pontiac Youth Assistance (http://www.pontiacyouthassistance. org/ ) with Thomas Swieboda, a mentoring program for the boys; Clarence Phillips’s Ascend Foundation “Junior Pioneer” (https://www. theascendfoundation.org/) with Makayla Smith, a mentoring program with Kaino Phillips; Pontiac Recs-Be stress-free program with Cassandra Thomas that educates and promotes positive coping skills; Resource and crisis center with Marega DeLizio and Paula Eifler, a parent support resource; and Project excel (https://www.pontiac. k12.mi.us/programs/project-excel), a Pontiac school-based program that supports students with their academic and social skills. Romona also receives support from her church community including Pastor Earl Crump, Sister Ernestine Crump, Brother Yanci, and Sister Yanci. The support Community that Romona has built over the years serves to help with therapies and stress relief for Romona and the boys.

(http://www.pontiacyouthassistance. org/ ) with Thomas Swieboda, a mentoring program for the boys; Clarence Phillips’s Ascend Foundation “Junior Pioneer” (https://www. theascendfoundation.org/) with Makayla Smith, a mentoring program with Kaino Phillips; Pontiac Recs-Be stress-free program with Cassandra Thomas that educates and promotes positive coping skills; Resource and crisis center with Marega DeLizio and Paula Eifler, a parent support resource; and Project excel (https://www.pontiac. k12.mi.us/programs/project-excel), a Pontiac school-based program that supports students with their academic and social skills. Romona also receives support from her church community including Pastor Earl Crump, Sister Ernestine Crump, Brother Yanci, and Sister Yanci. The support Community that Romona has built over the years serves to help with therapies and stress relief for Romona and the boys.

Romona urges families to get support from the local community or church for themselves and their children. She says, “Good support groups that allow you and your child to learn strategies are the best support”. She notes that the boys are now verbal due to all the therapies and programs they have been part of including ABA, baseball, and martial arts. Romona also shares a reward schedule that helps the boys feel empowered to meet their weekly goals. She tells other parents how important it is to ensure vacation destinations, like their favorites of Las Vegas, Houston, and Frankenmuth, MI, have extra plugs and electronics outlets and schedule activities on vacations to ensure the kids know what to expect when.

Aside from martial arts and baseball, the family enjoys going to church, playing at Dodge Park, Innovation Park, or Riverside Park, watching Naruto or My Hero together, watching the Detroit Lions or Tigers, and eating burgers and pizza together from their favorite restaurants while playing Connect 4 and Match Make Cards. Ayden and Braylon also enjoy time with their dogs Fia, Fee, and Zytia who serve as comfort animals to the boys.

Romona emphasized the need for support throughout the community that changes to meet the boys’ ever-changing needs. Support for herself is also crucial to the trio’s continued success and happiness.

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO:

Amanda Ziegler for helping me write our story.

Denise Harris for CPR, AFD and baby-sitting training for kids healingheartssafetyservices.com

Henry Jackson - Behavior Specialist

Deleah Nicolle identifyyourdream.org