“The Y is Shaye’s happy place.”
Shaye is a 4-year-old child with autism who has experienced a severe speech delay and sensory disorder. She is a social butterfly. Her mother, Jeannine, has had some financial difficulties and works hard to give Shaye the best possible life she can. As a single mom, Jeannine has given up so much so she can keep her daughter safe and happy.
Shaye and her mom have been members of the South Shore YMCA for the past two years. During that time Jeannine has found support for Shaye through Y programs and membership. “The excitement and love I see in Shaye’s eyes when anyone crosses her path at the Y means the world to me,” says Jeannine. “This is a place where she does not have to try and fit in. It’s a place where she gets to stand out. It’s a resource that helps me be a better mom and to provide an extension to her therapies to make a difference in Shaye’s life.”
Many Y members and staff have come to know and love Shaye, myself included. With Shaye’s speech delay, she struggles to speak, but she works so hard at telling stories and I love listening to her. You can see the excitement in her face when she is speaking. She is friendly and likes to meet new members whenever she is at our Y.
Shaye loves to swim. Whether she’s hopping in for open swim to our indoor pools, or enjoying sunshine and swimming at our Outdoor Aquatic Center, Shaye is her happiest in the water. You can feel her positive energy when she walks through the doors of our Y with a big smile, ready to dive in for some fun.
“It takes a village to raise a child,” said Jeannine. “Over the past two years I have been able to build a village within the Y community. It’s very hard for me to ask for help. The Y is a place where I find acceptance, comfort, strength and financial resources when I feel defeated as a single mom to a special needs child. Between the staff and Y members there is a feeling of not being judged, and I we are always welcome with open arms as a member of the Y community.”
We are so thankful to have Shaye and Jeannine as a part of our South Shore YMCA family.
