Gillis Stories - Jason's Story
Jason was eleven years old when he and his mother
first arrived at Gillis. For them the road had been a
difficult one. Jason first began seeking therapy when he
was diagnosed as hyperactive, manic-depressive, learning
disabled, and socially maladjusted.
In public school Jason was placed in a learning-disabled
classroom even though his test scores indicated
intelligence beyond his age. His mother was enduring the
pressure of a special needs child, divorce, and the
birth of a second child. Not ready to give up the
possibility of having a loving and healthy relationship
with her son, Jason’s mother decided to utilize Gillis’
residential program.
During the time that Jason lived at Gillis his family
was able to learn skills to better adapt to Jason’s
needs, the entry of a new father into the family, and
the changes that the new child brought. They learned to
love each other unconditionally, to communicate openly
and honestly, to disagree, and most of all to nurture
their relationships.
Today Jason lives with his family and attends public
high school. He makes above average grades, participates
in athletics, has a job, and a girlfriend. In the words
of his mother, “Jason is a lovely, well-mannered,
intellectually gifted, loudmouthed, obnoxious,
challenging, almost sixteen-year-old. In other words, a
‘normal adolescent’!
Stories
The PACT (Parents and Children Together) program staff received a request to provide in-home therapy for John, a 10-year-old with behavioral problems. He would get angry and out of control and would not listen to his parents. He was having problems at school. The previous school year he had been suspended for fighting with peers, not listening to his teachers, and causing trouble on the school bus.
Read full storyGillis News
As part of their community service hours at Rockhurst
High School, two young men volunteered at Gillis,
working with the residential students. One day they
looked around and realized that the common areas were
not what they, as “typical” teenagers, would like to
look at every day. So, they undertook a cottage
renovation project.
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Gillis is part of Cornerstones of Care, a partnership of agencies providing therapeutic treatment services for children and families.
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