Jonathon's Story

We all hear those stories in the news.  The heartbreaking stories about innocent children, so severely traumatized, or abused, or neglected, it makes you wonder “how will they ever survive?… grow up?…. live a normal life?”  If you have ever wondered what becomes of these children, meet Jonathan.  Jonathan is a survivor.  Jonathan is just one of the fractured lives that are healing with the help of Vista Hill’s Learning Assistance Center, a unique mental health program for school-aged children. 

Born to young, ill-prepared, drug-addicted parents who barely acknowledged his existence, Jonathan knew only violence and deprivation in his early years.  As a toddler, he tried to feed himself because his parents rarely woke before late afternoon.   When his baby sister arrived, the family violence escalated.  Authorities placed both children in protective custody and eventually stripped the couple of their parental rights.  A kind woman adopted Jonathan and his sister, but just as their future finally appeared bright, tragedy struck once again.  Their adoptive mother succumbed to her own battle with childhood abuse issues, and committed suicide.  Jonathan was only 7 years old.

With that final blow, it’s no wonder Jonathan was severely damaged emotionally.  Although Jonathan was very bright, qualifying for GATE (“gifted”) classes, his insecurities and lack of social skills severely interfered with his learning, his classroom behavior, and his ability to make friends.  Jonathan was living with a deep-seated feeling of emptiness; that there would never be enough, at least not for him.  Not enough food, not enough attention, not enough safety, or friends.  He truly believed he was “not enough”, that he was stupid.

Jonathan’s life was so out of control in the beginning, that he needed to try to control others and situations in order to feel safe.  He would regress and talk “baby talk”. He’d become “Class Clown” to make people laugh.  He tried to reach out to other children; but often by saying and doing all the wrong things.  As a result, Jonathan became the target of teasing and bullying.  The provocation became so intense that his peers would often resort to hitting him to make him stop.

There is no telling what would have happened to Jonathan but for a 69-year-old sociology professor and Vista Hill’s Learning Assistance Center (VHLAC).  Before Jonathan’s adoptive mother died, she and the children had been living with Ruth, a college professor who had developed a close relationship with the children and felt like their grandmother.   Ruth was determined to care for the children, but her hands were so full, especially with troubled Jonathan, she needed help.

At this point, Jonathan came to the attention of his teachers, who contacted Vista Hill’s Learning Assistance Center (VHLAC).  VHLAC stepped in with a full range of mental health interventions, including individual and family counseling, medication therapy, and in-home support.  

The Center’s staff has continued to work with Jonathan for the past four years, providing him with the needed counseling and support at home and in school to turn his life around.  Today, Jonathan is a very different young man than the emotionally scarred 7-year-old who first turned to VHLAC for help.  After beginning the school year with failing grades, he recently graduated from 6th grade with As and Bs.    Jonathan now feels the excitement of learning and eagerly anticipates Middle School. 

Jonathan has learned to get along with peers, follow instructions, and stand up for himself.  He is no longer a distraction in the classroom; he is now the teacher’s helper.  Instead of creating trouble, he creates art.  At one point, Jonathan’s behavior had become so dangerous, he was prohibited from playing with others on the playground.  He now plays happily with his friends during school recess. More and more often, he enjoys activities with his sister, without the severe conflicts of the past.