Twin Boys' Story Inspires

Each year, Arc recognizes a person with developmental disabilities who has made great strides in turning disability into ability.   This year is no exception; Arc is honoring twin brothers who attend Parkside Children’s Center.  Four-year-old Jaden and Jesse Barnett are amazing brothers who have made great strides since their premature birth in 2004.

Each weighed only a little over a pound at birth.  “Life began as a struggle,” said Willie Mae Davis, grandmother of the boys.  Their prognosis was not bright.  Jesse was born with bleeding on the brain, retinopathy and the doctors didn’t think he would ever be able to talk.   Jaden has cerebral palsy and doctors did not think he would ever walk.
 
The boys fought for their lives and persevered, never showing signs of giving up.  Stacey Barnett, the boys’ mother, raised them as a single mom with all of their challenges and medical problems while keeping up with her demanding schedule and job.

Stacey enrolled Jesse and Jaden into Parkside Children’s Center at age two.  “She got them into Parkside which was excellent.  They have a wonderful set up for the boys there, and the boys love going there” said their grandmother.

Jaden and Jesse now attend Parkside’s afternoon pre-school session and receive on-site physical, occupational and speech therapy.  Jesse works with the physical therapist three times a week to build strength and endurance in his legs.  Jaden receives physical therapy four times a week to improve his ability to walk and strengthen his arms.

Jaden, who was only able to crawl, can now use his walker to move around very independently.  He continues to develop and beat expectations and is capable of taking some steps without the assistance of his walker.  Jaden, with the strong supports from both his mom and Parkside, has made it a long way from his prognosis of never being able to walk.

Similarly, Jesse has come a long way from his prognosis of never being able to talk.  Since he’s started at Parkside, Jesse has become increasingly vocal with constant encouragement.  He has become more social, increased his attention span, and developed independent thoughts.  “They’ve become so vocal and know many of our names.  He used to repeat whatever we said.  Now he has his own thoughts,” said Sandy Howard from Parkside.

Darcia Bourassa, Speech Pathologist at Parkside, also sees the vast improvement.  “They just light up the room.  You notice them right away!” she says of the twins.  “They’re always ready to greet everybody.” Susan Prince, the school’s director, says people refer to the boys as the “Mayors of Parkside”.

“They have come so far in such a short period of time; they thrive to excel,” said their classroom teacher, Kara Azria.

The boys now blaze their own way in life with enthusiasm, new abilities and with dozens of roadblocks and hurdles behind them.  Jaden and Jesse Barnett embody the spirit of Arc of Onondaga’s programs to turn their disability into ability. “I’d like to thank the teachers at Parkside Children’s Center for everything that they’ve done for Jaden and Jesse.  I also would like to thank Arc of Onondaga for...their support,” said Stacey Barnett, the boys’ mother.

They will be recognized with the 2008 Consumer Achievement Award at the Arc Achievement Awards Dinner on June 3rd.

Parkside Children’s Center provides Early Intervention services for toddlers starting at age 2.  Students from 3 to 5 years of age can participate in an inclusive pre-school program with a wrap-around day care option.