Nov. 17, 2017 -- “Never give up.”
For some, it’s just a kitchy saying, something you offer to those who are struggling or post on your social media or hang on a plaque on your wall.
But to district third grader Ashlei Collier-Amison and her
grandfather Roy Gay, it is a way of life.
Ashlei suffers from Shaken Baby Syndrome and the host of
physical, mental and developmental problems that come with it. She has cerebral
palsy, walks with a limp, struggles with memory lapses and has difficulty retaining
new information. She reads and computes below grade level and is behind her
peers in numerous ways.
But she never gives up. She approaches each day and each new task with a smile and a willingness to at least try. It’s this attitude that earned her a major class award from her second grade teacher Sarah Adair at Oxford last spring.
Mrs. Adair was consistently impressed with Ashlei’s attitude. “This is the kind of kid everyone loves to have in their classroom. She’s always up for trying, is kind to everyone and wouldn't hurt a fly. She’s willing to take risks and put herself out there to be part of the class.”
Ashlei’s grandfather, who raises her and her three siblings along with their grandmother, was inspired by his granddaughter as well. After she won the award at Oxford, he started a social movement to encourage children and adults facing struggles to never give up. He designed t-shirts and caps emblazoned with an image of a girl biking up a steep hill, an analogy to what Ashlei does every single day. Mr. Gay hopes to convince district elementary schools to establish a Never Give Up award to recognize struggling students who nevertheless persist.
Mr. Gay also persists, never complaining about serving as parent yet again, despite already having adult children. “I’ve been resurrected by Ashlei. She changed me and my direction with her life and struggles.”
Oxford social worker Cindy Schmidt has also been inspired by
Ashlei, so much so that she nominated her student for the Celebration of Champions
award. Ashlei was selected by the National Council of Jewish Women’s Live Special as one of five Silver Medal
winners and was honored at a reception at Landerhaven on November 5.
Surrounded by her grandparents, Ms. Schmidt and Mrs. Adair, who drove in from Chardon to attend the evening’s celebration, Ashlei was in awe of the glittering ballroom and the waiters in bowties serving kid-approved chicken tenders and macaroni and cheese. Her smile got even bigger when she saw her picture emblazoned on the screens, along with the other honorees. And bigger yet when her name was announced and the several hundred guests erupted in applause for Ashlei and the other “champions living well with a disability.”
“I feel like a fish out of water,” said her grandfather. “This is an overwhelming experience. And none of it would be possible without these women right here,” he says pointing to Ms. Schmidt and Mrs. Adair.
The two knew that Ashlei needed more targeted intervention, some individualized mix of regular education and special education services. They worked with Dusty Peterson, an intervention specialist at Boulevard, to develop a plan designed to maximize Ashlei’s potential.
Ashlei now attends Boulevard where she spends her days moving between special education rooms and a typical third grade class and where she has finally – much to her grandfather’s delight – learned to read.
“We’re seeing a side of her we haven’t seen before. She’s reading in front of her class and in front of us at home, and finally has the chance to be a leader.”
He believes that this innocent eight-year-old has the power to lead us all as she “raises awareness that, when we encounter situations that may be overwhelming, we should never, ever give up.”