A Story Worth Sharing!
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October has been an amazing month for spreading awareness about learning disabilities and ADHD. Many Springer families are advocates, too! Alumni parent Wendy Bonono and her son Dominic recently shared their story with Venue Magazine's Lindsey Himmler. Here's a little of that story.
Dominic was struggling. He was a very smart little boy, but even in kindergarten, he was not meeting academic standards. Dominic couldn’t read but had learned to memorize his books, “hiding” his disability. But it was taking a toll on him.
“His lips were chapped, and his fingernails were bitten off. He was so stressed,” says Wendy Bonomo, Dominic’s mother.
After multiple meetings and several rounds of testing, Dominic was diagnosed with ADHD, a severe processing disorder, and anxiety. Springer was recommended to the family.
Wendy wasn’t sure about switching schools. It would mean sending her two boys to different schools and would be an adjustment for the family. So, Dominic tried the summer learning program, “Adventures in Summer Learning,” at Springer. After a great experience, Wendy knew that Springer School and Center was the right place for him.
Dominic started second grade at Springer as a nonreader.
“His teachers were amazing,” Wendy says. “They figured out a way to reach him. Within a month, he was reading!”
For children like Dominic, Springer is a place where magic happens.
Dominic is now a sophomore at Xavier University, taking a full course load and living in a dorm on campus. “His journey through life has been amazing to watch,” Wendy says. “He’s had so many hurdles to overcome. I’m so impressed by him.”
And while Dominic certainly did the work, Springer was the foundation of his current success.
“He would be a totally different young man if he hadn’t gone,” Wendy says. “It changed the trajectory of his life. He’s successful because of the interventions he had at Springer.”
Photography by Leah Davies
The Bonomo family believes so strongly in the mission of Springer that Wendy is now a member of the board of trustees.
“I’m so proud he’s an alumnus of Springer,” Wendy says. “More children need Springer in their story.”
Dominic agrees. “Without Springer, I wouldn’t be where I’m at right now. You won’t find people more capable of helping your children succeed anywhere else than at Springer.”
Thank you you to Wendy and Dominic for sharing their challenges and triumphs. We are so proud of Dominic and all of our alumni who set great goals and work hard toward them. Be sure to check out the full story in the fall issue of Venue magazine.
