Laughter Helps Graduate

Perserverance and Laughter Help Pawsperity Graduate Overcome Obstacles

Having only one good eye didn’t stop Danielle Mattox from participating in the program.

BY MEG TOWNSEND

There are some people in life who just seem naturally upbeat. They smile and laugh easily – sometimes even when their circumstances are difficult. Danielle Mattox is one of those people.

Danielle was raised in Independence, Mo., with her mother and stepfather. Money was tight, and life was hard. Her older brother committed suicide when she was 9 years old. Danielle started taking drugs in her teens and eventually became addicted to crystal meth. In 2009, she was diagnosed with cancer and lost her left eye as a result. Her drug use continued, and four years ago, she gave birth to her son Benjamin. When he was just two months old, the court took him away from her.

“That woke me up,” said Danielle. “The court ordered recovery treatment, and I was ready. I wanted my son back.”

A determined spirit

While recovery is never easy, Danielle speaks of it as if it was just something that had to be done and so she did it. And that “can do” attitude and determination (mixed with an ever-present sense of humor) has served her well.

In a little over a year, Danielle completed the drug recovery program, moved into transitional living at Amethyst Place, participated in therapy to stay on track and was again given custody of her son. Now, she realized, the next step was landing a good job.

“I had heard about Pawsperity, but I didn’t know how they’d feel about a student with only one good eye,” Danielle said with a laugh. “But I was willing, if they were!”

Overcoming challenges

According to Amy Hall, one of Danielle’s grooming instructors, that kind of openness to learning has enabled Danielle to overcome many of her challenges.

“It wasn’t easy for Danielle,” Amy said. “Her vision issues caused her depth perception to be off, but she was very flexible and open to our suggestions. She just never gave up, and her smile and laughter were always there.”

Even though Danielle is a positive person, she admits to struggling when she first arrived at Pawsperity. “I came here fairly broken,” she said. “I had no confidence, no faith, and I wasn’t sure I’d fit in. But my teachers just kept encouraging me. They believed in me, so I began believing in myself, too.”

A calming presence

Like many students, Danielle not only credits her success to the counselors and instructors at Pawsperity, but also to the customers – those with four legs and a tail.

“Animals are so calming and accepting,” she said. “When your hands are gently giving them a bath, trimming their ears or clipping their nails, they will occasionally look right at you or give you an unexpected lick as if to say, ‘thank you.’ There’s just something very special in that silent communication.”

Danielle graduated from Pawsperity in April 2021. She’s doing well, and a few months ago, she did something she wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to do: She bought a car. “It’s used, but I paid cash and I own it outright. No debt and no car payments!”

Danielle’s dream is to continue to excel at her grooming work so that she can eventually purchase her own home for herself and her son.

She smiles and says confidently, “That’s what I’m working toward.” Supportive instructors Christina Johnson and Amy Hall helped Danielle finish the rigorous training program.