“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family.”
Anthony Brandt, Author
At age 10, Heather H. was known as a fun-loving and spirited child who adored her friends, family and the Girl Scouts. Then, overnight, Heather’s world changed forever.
Due to a health crisis no one could have predicted, Heather spent three months in the hospital and had to re-learn everything from talking to reading to moving her limbs. Doctors recommended Heather be placed in a rehabilitation facility, but the family’s insurance company had other ideas.
“They wanted to institutionalize her,” Heather’s mom, Melissa said. “I told my husband that there was no way we were letting that happen.”
The family pulled together so they could be there for Heather.
When it came time to return to school, Melissa encountered something she didn’t expect – a teacher who “just didn’t care.” Knowing Heather needed more than this teacher was willing to give, Melissa decided to stay with Heather each school day for the first three months. Fortunately, things improved from that point forward and Heather blossomed into that sweet, fun-loving girl once again.
“Whenever I’d come to school to pick Heather up, I’d always know where to find her because she would be at the center of the crowd!” Melissa said.
It was Heather’s joy of being with people and her family’s desire to foster her independence that, upon high school graduation, led Heather to Brevard Achievement Center (BAC) three years ago.
“My favorite classes are art and cooking,” Heather said. “And I love working too!”
Always smiling, Heather today serves as a positive example to her peers and a role model for those without disabilities.
“Not long ago, Heather and I were in the grocery store and this young man says to Heather how good it was to see her,” Melissa said. “He told me that he and Heather had gone to high school together and he always admired her for her strength and positive attitude. He then introduced his daughter to us – she must have been about five or six – and he said to her, ‘Honey, this is Heather. She’s the young lady I told you I wanted you to be like.’ I was so touched. This is the influence Heather has had over the years.”
Heather H. is proof that the power of family, no matter what form it takes, cannot be matched.