Ascend changed our lives- my son's life. Our family is beyond blessed. If you are looking for the…read morebest treatment for your child, you will not find ANYTHING better than Ascend. Truly. Below is my letter to the Ascend team.
Effie,
It is not a mystery that you have an incredible team at Ascend. I could not be more grateful than I am.
When Grant went into Ascend the first time, he was in a very dark place- his energy was heavy so much that it weighed not only him down, it weighed down those around him. He didn't believe in himself, nor anyone or anything else. The Grant who came out of treatment was as light as a feather. He was childlike again and it was the most beautiful thing I have truly ever seen. It was as though a miracle had occurred. And it did. I truly believe that it would not have happened without the incredible team you have and primarily, I owe it to Cynthia and Noah.
Cynthia was an angel for my Grant. She was loving and nurturing; able to hold him accountable while providing him with truths that he was not able or willing to see prior to treatment. She did it in a manner in which he didn't become combative or hostile. She gave him a freedom from himself and helped to remove that weight he walked in the doors of Ascend with. And she put up with my lengthy, random, overly detailed, and overly explained emails. That in itself deserves an award. J
And then there was Noah... From the very moment I met him, I felt assured beyond what any parent could possibly feel. His words and his positivity took any fears I had and threw them to the curb. I drove up that first day, heavy with concern and pain, to bring Grant his belongings. When I left, I flew down the 405 with the biggest smile and the greatest sense of calm than I'd had in nearly two years.
In speaking with a dear friend, I was describing the means in which Noah affects the lives of those around him so profoundly. I would like to add that I speak of him to many because he has touched my life and Grant's life so profoundly. What he has done for Grant is unparalleled. As I spoke with this friend, an analogy came to me, bringing tears to my eyes and I felt compelled to elaborate and share it with you.
Noah is a gift to the world. What he does and what he gives posses so much beauty. A beauty that cannot be taught. It is innate. And beauty breeds beauty.
Noah's gift is like a piece of art or a piece of music; a favorite song. When I think about the way that da Vinci's Mona Lisa or Van Gogh's Starry Night or even Shepard Fairey's work (for me it's Gustav Klimt's The Kiss, Dali, and Fairey) have transcended generations and the manner in which they provoke emotion and perspective; awe and inspiration; the way they precipitate and propel change... and when I think of the way that I feel and the way my body and soul respond when I hear Michael Jackson's Off the Wall, The Beatles' Let it Be, The Stones' Paint it Black, Beethoven's Piano Sonata #14, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's The Message, Adele's Hello, Johnny Cash's Boy Named Sue... the list goes on.
The art; the music. It changes us. It permeates our being. And where would we be without these gifts? THIS. This is what Noah does for others. This is the gift that he gives. And he doesn't even have to try. It's just who he is...
It would be unjust if I did not mention the impact that the rest of the team had on our lives. They are a godsend..
From the moment I heard your voice on the other end of the phone, trying to give me all of the information regarding Ascend while simultaneously caring for your seven children at 8:30 at night, my heart was stolen and I knew that this is exactly where Grant needed to be.
And then I met Alicia over the phone. What an amazing woman! I tear up simply talking about her. She is a keeper...
My brief conversations with Dr. Acosta communicated to me that she is a compassionate and trustworthy person. The kiddos are blessed to have her on their team.
Brittany is kind, thorough, and direct. As someone who always has more questions, I did not find that I needed to seek additional information. She is a great asset to the team, as you know.
Grant really connected with Alex. Connections for Grant are priceless. I'm grateful for that.
I thank each and every staff member at Ascend for all that they do and for the parts of them that they give away each day so that these beautiful children can have a life beyond their wildest dreams- whether that life be years away or simply around the corner.
Thank you to you and your team for planting the seeds that you do and for changing and saving the lives of these precious kiddos. Especially my Grant.
Blessings.
Julie Olson
