Where Do I Belong?

September 17, 2015

This letter was written by an excelling student who lives at Latham. Staff has seen her come so far in just four short years. There is nothing like hearing it from *Genevieve’s perspective though…

To Latham Centers:

My name is Genevieve and I live at Latham centers. Latham centers is a program for special needs and PWS syndrome. I have bipolar and Asperger syndrome. I have been at Latham for four years. I came to Latham because I was having trouble with school and having behaviors at home. When I heard about Latham I was nervous because I have always lived at home. It was a change and I don’t like change. When I came to Latham, staff was there for me. They have helped me grow to learn coping skills. I had a tremendous amount of issues when I first came to Latham – [I would even] break property. I would go home on the weekends and then come back and then hurt the staff around me. Staff has been teaching me what coping skills are and when to use them. Since 2014 I have grown to use my coping skills and [am always] working on my behavior.

I have four independent jobs; I can also do independent errands. I would like to thank Fred for helping me get to that progress towards my jobs. I moved to cottage an independent suite in 2014. I was very scared to live there because I didn’t want to go back to my old behaviors. I succeeded so much that they moved me to the most independent house for students.  Because of Latham and its staff I was able to get to this point, and I wouldn’t be in this place without them. They are always there to talk when I’m having a rough day. I would like to thank Meghan Pouliot and Andrea Brown for helping me succeed in the Nauset classroom. I would like to say thank you to all staff for helping me get me to this point and believing in me. I would like to thank Melissa Hyer for helping me. I don’t know what would have happened if I didn’t come to Latham. I probably would be at an institution or facing legal problems. Every time I get sad or feel down I think about my progress.  Thank you, Latham Team, for having such an imprint on my success in becoming an independent young lady.

*Name has been changed