Westview first entered our lives in the summer of 2020 when the world was in the middle of COVID lockdowns and quarantines, and we were trying our best to keep our impatient 4-year-old off the iPad and willing to wear a face mask for longer than five seconds without completely melting down. Although we saw every day just how brilliant, curious, and capable Owen was and how much potential he had, his experiences in daycare and similar settings had not been good. We had resigned ourselves to the belief that schooling outside of our home was not an option. Coming to that realization and thinking of all the experiences that Owen would miss out on was, to say the least, heartbreaking. And then, we found The Westview School.
In the four years that Owen has been enrolled at Westview, he has grown socially, emotionally, and intellectually. Our once hyperactive 4-year-old, who often ignored instructions, has grown into an 8-year-old boy who sits down at his desk to complete his homework independently. Our 4-year-old, who often ignored others and communicated in single words with little, or no expressive language, has grown into an 8-year-old who comforts friends in distress, tells us about his day, loves music, responds to questions, expresses his opinion (including how annoying it is to have to do his homework), and relentlessly tries to negotiate with Mom and Dad (and probably his teachers).
Westview has given Owen, and frankly Tony and me, a community that not only teaches him the ABCs but celebrates him and all his beautiful and uniquely "Owen" characteristics. Westview has taught him to self-regulate, to self-advocate, and to believe in himself and his capabilities. From learning to ride a bike, playing tag with others, writing and reading, taking turns with others, playing piano, or making real friends, Owen has experienced so many firsts at Westview that we once feared he might never experience. And he has done it in a place where he gets to be exactly who he is. At Westview, he is always included and fully supported, and he continues to far exceed any and every expectation we have ever had. And, importantly and somewhat unexpectedly, Westview has taught Tony and me how to be better parents. We have learned so much about when and how to get Owen to push himself past what he thought were his limits, when and how to comfort and help him reach a goal, and when and how to let him struggle a bit because he needs to figure it out.
Westview holds a special place in the hearts of many families, including ours. It's not just a school but a community that celebrates each child's unique qualities. If you're looking to support a worthy organization, Westview is a place where your contribution can make a real difference.
Betsy and Tony Howarth
