Jenna was about 8 months old when I first noticed something wasn’t quite right. The first doctor told me, “Don’t compare her to your other child.” But a trusted friend encouraged me to get a second opinion.
After three days of assessments, we met with a doctor while Jenna sat nearby in a little blue smocked dress. Without compassion, he said, “Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder, you have a severely retarded child. The best thing to do is put her in a home.” Then he left the room.
We were in shock-but we knew that was never an option. We would do everything we could to help her.
We found a pediatric specialist who discovered that Jenna couldn’t hear, which explained her speech impediment. I left my job as a nurse and devoted two years to working with her-climbing stairs, learning letters, building skills. Preschool helped Jenna grow socially, and we never stopped pushing for progress.
As Jenna got older, she became involved with Possabilities and she blossomed. They didn’t just offer services; they told her, “You’re important. You belong. You are a part of this community.”
Jenna, once so quiet, found her voice. She made friends. She learned job skills through paper routes, church work, and now her position at Hy-Vee. At 48, Jenna lives in her own home just a few houses down from us. She interviewed and hired her own support workers through Possabilities’ person-centered program-including me. I’m now her “wheels,” but she’s in the driver’s seat of her life.
COVID disrupted programs Jenna loved. We hope the Possabilities campaign will bring back and build even more opportunities.
Jenna continues to grow. She takes part in the arts program and has tools to navigate challenges at work and relationships.
Possabilities has given our daughter independence and dignity. When people out and about say, “Hi Jenna!” and she proudly replies, “She goes through my line,” I see a woman who is included and valued.
Jenna has surpassed every expectation, and we know that even when we’re no longer here, she’ll continue to thrive. Possabilities made that possible.
We are forever grateful.
Through Possabilities, Jenna found her voice and her place in the community. She now lives independently, works, and continues to grow and thrive. They made what once seemed impossible…possible.
