Editor’s note: My LopeLife is a feature in which GCU community members share their stories, like Serena Lowery and Mary Jane Mooney (below), mothers of LOPES Academy alumni Jaden Lowery and Ray Chiago. To be considered for My LopeLife, email a synopsis of your suggested topic to GCUNews@gcu.edu with “My LopeLife” in the subject field. This story was originally published in the February issue of GCU Magazine, available in the purple bins around campus or digitally.
Photos by Ralph Freso
Jaden's story
Jaden was 5 years old when he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. At first, we had a little denial, but the signs and symptoms were very clear.
As a single mother with three other biological children and three foster children, we did not treat Jaden any differently. He was nonverbal, which made it difficult for him to converse until about 8 years old. But with the help of a speech pathologist, he began to achieve goals we didn’t think possible.
His social interactions and communication skills were often challenged because of his difficulty making friends, understanding of facial expressions, and comprehension of nonverbal cues.
When Jaden started high school, I noticed some changes – a unique pattern of behaviors, such as anxiety and his interest in only a few activities.
Then one day, at a family Sunday dinner, Jaden said, “Mom, I wish I could go to college, too.” I knew this interest came from his sisters and brothers, who were going to college and joining the military.
That broke my heart.
I knew in the back of my mind that, because of his autism spectrum disorder, he had limitations. There would be things that he could not do.
I also had never heard of a program that allowed adults like Jaden to attend college unless they were very high functioning.
After that conversation, I started researching programs he could join after high school. One day, after talking to the director of the Tolleson school district, she handed me a flyer for a new program at Grand Canyon University called the LOPES Academy, for adults with special needs.
Jaden was so excited that now he could go to college – just like his sisters and brothers.
The LOPES Academy staff gave our family hope. The teachers recognized that each student was different, and they brought out Jaden’s best attributes by establishing a routine while allowing flexibility.
The LOPES Academy brought a shining light to my son’s soul. It allowed him to explore the possibility of further education, volunteering and hands-on job training.
The best part for me was seeing my son smile and feeling like he belonged as a college student. Interacting with other autistic, Down syndrome and special needs adults gave him ideas about things he can do and achieve in his own life.
Jaden is now working at the Lope Shop for GCU, and he loves to speak to parents who are interested in the program.
If you would have told me when my son was a child that he would be able to do all these wonderful things as an adult, I would have told you that you were out of your mind.
The LOPES Academy has proven to me that miracles still exist.
— Serena Lowery, Jaden's Mom
ABOUT SERENA LOWERY
Serena is a senior outreach and recruitment program manager/Alzheimer’s equity navigator for Banner Health. She has a master’s degree in gerontology psychology, as well as an MBA, and is a certified nursing assistant. She has four biological children, including Jaden, and raised three foster children.
***
Ray's story
Ray and his twin brother, Roy, were born prematurely.
When they came to me, wards of the Gila River Indian Community, doctors diagnosed them with failure to thrive. At 11 months old, they laid on their backs and looked at the ceiling, not even trying to roll over or hold their bottles, and they remained on formula and baby food until after they were 2 years old.
At about that time, they were diagnosed with autism.
I enrolled them in early intervention at the UPWARD foundation, which was a true blessing. The organization made a huge difference in their progress. Miraculously, Ray and Roy started walking around 3 years old, when I was told it was likely they never would walk.
The special education teachers and therapists in the Scottsdale Unified School District also were true miracle workers. Our family kept Ray and Roy in school as long as we could, until they were 22 years old.
Then I wondered what was next.
That’s when I heard about the LOPES Academy while listening to KTAR radio early one morning and thought it might be a fit for Ray.
I remember Allison (Kolanko-Mancinelli, the former LOPES Academy program manager) saying after interviewing him, “Ray, well, I hope that you’ll want to come to LOPES Academy because I think you’ll really enjoy it and you’ll make new friends.”
And he has.
Ray, who was part of the first group to complete the LOPES Academy along with Jaden, was very quiet – very shy.
Now he’s more extroverted – more social. He initiates conversations and asks more questions. People who are around him have told me he’s really funny, that he cracks jokes – that’s how comfortable he feels at GCU.
Since completing the program and two job internships – one at the Honors College and one at Lopes Mart – he was hired to work at the Chaparral Hall Lopes Mart convenience store.
It’s been yet another blessing.
GCU is such a safe environment. I don’t have to worry about people being mean to Ray if he doesn’t understand things or if he doesn’t do things fast enough for the customer. I don’t know if it’s because GCU is a Christian school or if all kids that age are that polite and kind and accepting.
Last year, I drove Ray back and forth to GCU, then over the summer signed him up for Dial-A-Ride. He gets on the bus by himself and comes home by himself – of course, I track him; I know exactly where he’s at – but I was really nervous about it at first.
He’s so excited to go to work. He sits at the window, waiting for his ride, and he’ll be in his uniform and ask me, “How do I look?”
His uniform is simple, just a GCU shirt with khaki pants. But he’s just so proud. I think he feels really independent now, like other grown-ups. He’s proud of himself, and of course, we’re proud of him. One time, when I was still driving him to work, we were just pulling onto campus and he goes, “Ah, GCU! It changed my life!”
— Mary Jane Mooney, Ray's Mom
***
ABOUT MARY JANE MOONEY
Mary Jane is mother to five adult children, in addition to Ray and Roy. She’s been a licensed caregiver for the state of Arizona since 1986. Before the twins, she fostered close to 100 newborns. Every one was adopted into their forever home through Catholic Social Services or Aid to Adoption of Special Kids.
***
Also from GCU Magazine:
Celebrating 75 Things We Love About GCU
5 Questions with Dr. Mark Olmos, College of Theology professor
Three GCU nursing graduates’ bond continues on one hospital floor
Center for Workforce Development is growing, changing more lives
