matters VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1 — 2017
my miriam story Miriam Learning Center/ Cornelsen Diagnostic Center is a Game Changer Submitted by Casey St. John, Cornelsen Charitable Foundation Trustee and parent
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hough I never thought my child would need the services that my charitable foundation was funding, I am grateful that Miriam Learning Center’s diagnostic program was there to help me figure out what was going on with my son, Christopher. I am a trustee for The Cornelsen Charitable Foundation and a parent of a child with ADHD, so my connections to Miriam have been important to my family in many ways. My story unfolds when several years ago I met Beth Rose, Director of the Miriam Learning Center (MLC). Beth approached me and our family’s foundation with a concept to fund a comprehensive testing center for children struggling in school. Beth felt there were many children in the St. Louis community who were struggling in school, but were not being tested through their school districts. Many came from families who could not afford to pay for private testing. Beth suggested that the Cornelsen Diagnostic Center be started to identify reasons these children struggled and get them on the right treatment pathway. Our Foundation felt this project fit nicely with our mission statement and we agreed to fully fund the Diagnostic Center. Around the time of the Diagnostic Center’s dedication ceremony, my husband and I began noticing certain things that seemed a bit concerning with our youngest child, Christopher, who was just finishing first grade. He was doing well in school, but seemed to find certain tasks challenging like following multi- step directions, or getting started on a task and staying focused. It started to become very apparent that he wasn’t focused, particularly when he was playing baseball that summer. Christopher was trying hard to pay attention to his coach and the ball game, but he just seemed lost. His teacher also started to notice that Christopher seemed to be paying attention but when asked to repeat information, he had no idea of what was said. Christopher felt like he was “daydreaming” a lot. I took Christopher to our pediatrician who felt my son might have some kind of processing disorder and suggested that he be tested. My husband and I realized that testing through the Miriam Learning Center/Cornelsen Diagnostic Center was the perfect solution to help us figure out what was going on with our son. MLC’s experienced diagnosticians provided individualized and comprehensive testing for Christopher. They spent a lot of time with me going over the testing results and recommendations so that I fully understood how to help him. They were caring and compassionate towards my son and our family. The results of the testing showed that our son has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, the inattentive type. Because of the testing, we were able to work with Christopher’s teachers and public school to get the accommodations and modifications Christopher needed to be successful. Christopher is now in sixth grade and thriving in school. As he has gotten older, my son uses many coping skills that help him stay focused. He likes school, has lots of friends, and gets great grades. Most important, he is REALLY happy and confident. Because of our wonderful experience with MLC’s testing and the great need in the St. Louis community for diagnostics, the Cornelsen Charitable Foundation has offered MLC a challenge grant that will build an endowment to sustain the Diagnostic Center in the future. Any donation given to MLC’s
Unlocking your child’s potential.
Casey St. John with son Christopher.
Diagnostic Center will be matched by Miriam, and also by our Foundation. MLC and the Cornelsen Diagnostic Center were truly a game changer for Christopher and our family. We experienced firsthand what can be accomplished for a child and their family when given a pathway to success through quality diagnostics. We now hope that many other children throughout the St. Louis community can also experience the advantages gained by early testing and diagnostics. m
Support the Cornelsen Challenge on Give STL Day, Thursday, May 11 The Cornelsen Charitable Foundation is dedicated to the empowerment of children and families so they may achieve lifelong success. We strive to achieve this mission through supporting continuing education, special initiatives revolving around the wellness of children, and spiritual growth for both families and children. As part of that mission, The Cornelsen Charitable Foundation has challenged Miriam to raise $75,000 in 2017 to ensure that diagnostic testing for possible learning disabilities is affordable and accessible to families in need. Contributions to the Cornelsen Challenge are quadrupled and significantly increase the impact of each gift. Gifts made on Give STL Day will also be eligible for additional match dollars and prizes. To learn more or to donate on May 11, please go to givestlday.org.