Julian

Being part of a community where you feel loved and understood is something we all seek to achieve in our lives. This is why we are delighted to share a story and a video about a May Institute student named Julian. His story highlights the power of human potential and what can be achieved when you are part of a loving, supportive family and community.
 
Julian faced immense obstacles from birth, when he spent time in the ICU on oxygen. "The doctors told us he wouldn't live past three," says Shaari, Julian's Mom. "I remember thinking, 'you mean I am going to love him and then lose him?'" [Story continues below video.]
 



As Julian grew and proved his doctors wrong, the challenges he faced became clearer. His typically developing twin sister, Charlotte, was hitting all of her developmental milestones, but Julian was not. Over time, he received multiple diagnoses, including autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and anxiety disorder.

School wasn't a happy place for Julian in his early years. Communication was extremely difficult, and he didn't speak his first words until he was six. Julian is still unable to make all the sounds of the alphabet; and as a result, he is very self-conscious when communicating verbally. He will not speak to strangers.
 
Since joining the May Center School, Julian has found his element. He is in a classroom where he feels comfortable and supported, and where staff love and accept him for who he is, while always encouraging him to strive for more. As a result, he has been able to make great progress. So much so, that at the age of 14, Julian attended his own IEP meeting - communicating and advocating for himself in a group setting. The video below tells the story of Julian's growth as a student and individual, and the impact his IEP meeting participation had on his self-confidence.

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