A Family Served Reflects
Since 1974 Glenwood has centered its mission around empowering families and supporting futures for those affected by autism and behavioral health needs. Through more than 40 programs and services, Glenwood continues to evolve to meet a wide variety of autism and behavioral health needs. From assessments and therapy to community programs, residential homes and educational training, we empower families and support the futures of their loved ones.
One of those futures whose lives Glenwood has supported are those of the family of Robert Davis, IV.
Around the age of two, Robert’s parents began noticing a change in Robert. He had stopped responding to typical social cues, sudden noises caused him to scream and cover his ears, he would flap his hands and rock back and forth on the sofa, or bang his head on the floor. For more than nine years his mother Donna and father Robert managed the best they could with the limited resources available at the time to give Robert a typical childhood.
In 1988 at the age of 11, Robert’s future of a typical childhood turned after he was admitted to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Robert had become more disruptive at school. He experienced uncontrollable urges, bit his fingers, and ran out of the classroom.
Medical professionals told his mother and father it was not safe for Robert or them for him to be returned to his home. They also said that if they were unable to find a specialized care program for Robert that he would have to be placed in a state facility in Tuscaloosa.
Faced with a life of institutional, state care for her son, Robert’s mother desperately began calling various agencies begging for help. Once Donna was told about Glenwood and its programs for individuals with autism she knew she had to get her “Bebo” in there.
“Glenwood had one bed available for Bebo,” said Donna. Just two months after entering Children’s Hospital, Robert was able to secure a place in one of our residential homes.
Thank you, Lord, for the love and care of the folks at Glenwood.
Donna West, Robert’s mother
Robert, now 47, thrives at Glenwood. Through his years of education, therapy, and personalized care from Glenwood staff, Robert has minimized most of his disruptive and anxious behaviors and today is a calm, confident individual able to make his own decisions. Robert thrives in his current home on campus that he shares with three other gentlemen under the caring and attentive watch of Residential Manager, Ossia Horn. Ossia says that one of her favorite things about Robert is his tenacity.
“Robert is very vocal. He will tell you what he likes and doesn’t like, and he won’t back down, and I love that about him because that’s just his personality,” Ossia says.
As Robert and his parents age, his mother Donna worries about who will be there for him when they are gone. Donna says, “God has not brought him this far to fail him when we are no longer around. As long as Glenwood is around, I feel that Bebo will have a home. There’s a huge amount of comfort in that for us.”
Donna believes finding Glenwood all those years ago was a godsend. “They saved my son from certain confinement in a mental health facility for the rest of his life. He most certainly would have deteriorated. He has thrived at Glenwood.”
When asked what she would tell others about Glenwood, Donna remarked, “If they are fortunate enough to get their child into Glenwood, each night as they say their prayers of gratitude, the first thing should be “Thank you, Lord, for the love and care of the folks at Glenwood”. You will know that your precious child is getting the best chance for a good life.”
Won’t you consider supporting the life-affirming programs and services of Glenwood and our mission to help individuals like Robert live lives to their fullest potential? Won’t you take a moment and give, so that families like Donna and Robert’s can receive relief knowing that Glenwood is there to guide families on a progressive path to support, hope and a brighter future?
Get a behind-the-scenes look into Robert’s life here at Glenwood. For donations of $50 or more we’ll email you a link to an exclusive interview with Robert, including a personal tour of his home! Click here to donate.
