Testimonials
Springbrook Parent: Wendy Slicer
"As the parent of a child who has been involved with Springbrook for 10 years I have something that I would like to share. From the time my son was born he was a challenge. I did not understand his behaviors, I questioned myself as a parent and I tried everything I could to create a livable environment for my family. After his diagnosis at three years old I educated myself in every way and tried to approach his needs with a new understanding. I truly believed that I could take care of him and his needs. There was no limit to my creativity.
When my son was ten the reality hit that I couldn't meet his needs. Even in an ideal situation I still couldn't do it. I felt like I failed him. I felt that my role was to be his mother and that any mother can take care of their child, right? Except me. I couldn't even do this one thing that was supposed to be mine. The decision to let Springbrook take care of my child came with long hours of questions and crying. I had made the commitment in my heart and Springbrook gently took my hand and waited for me to make the commitment outwardly. It took another year before the move was made onto campus. Imagine how it would feel to tell your 11-year-old son that he was no longer going to live with you. Imagine how it would feel to kiss him goodbye and know that you would no longer tuck him in at night. Imagine how it would feel to know that he would not see your face in the morning and you would wake to pass by his empty bed.
I am not writing this because I am seeking pity or sympathy. I am writing this in order to reach out to any parent who has not yet had to make this decision, or who has and feels the same pain and sadness, or who still asks themselves everyday what could I have done different so that I could have kept my child home.
My purpose in this writing is to offer reassurance to anyone who is experiencing what I have been through. What I want to share with you is that even though it was the hardest decision I have ever made it was the greatest. What I really wanted was to keep my son at home, but then whom was I really serving? Not my son, but my guilt. My decision had to be selfless. My decision had to be for him because I wanted him to have the chance to be the greatest person he could be. I was not able to give him that.
Reflecting on that last thought brings me to this one, I can provide for him. I can give him everything he needs. As his mom I can be his greatest advocate and make the best decisions for him. I can support him in all his goals and dreams and be involved with his programming. I can follow through with the guidelines and plans that are so painstakingly created by his caring staff. I can go to sleep at night and rather than worry about his future, dream sweetly of the great things we will know he will achieve.
As a parent I can have all of this because of Springbrook
."
