At two months, he was diagnosed with leukemia and given just two weeks to live. With experimental chemotherapy, he survived.”
Metairie, Louisiana - October, 2020
My name is Brendlar and I’m the mother of Lenox. Lenox was diagnosed with autism when he was just five years old but that wasn’t his first life challenge. At two months, he was diagnosed with leukemia and given just two weeks to live. With experimental chemotherapy, he survived.
Although his behaviors were out of the norm, we thought that was just par for the course after his treatments. Maybe this was just the terrible twos we thought, but his behavior was getting worse and then we learned he had autism.
Lenox’s dad stayed home to help care for him but the impact of the medical costs and his lost income took a toll. After Hurricane Katrina, we lost many members of our family support system and we realized that we needed to find help to care for Lenox long term.
Volunteers of America’s Supported Living Services stepped in. They have a program that allows people with disabilities to live independently while obtaining employment and enjoying social activities. Supported Living Services regularly sends a direct support professional to our home in Metairie to give us a break and provide the care and guidance that Lenox needs. Having Volunteers of America work with Lenox makes him feel loved.
Lenox is such a jolly person who loves to run around and loves to tease. He gives a lot back to his caregivers in his own ways. Most importantly, Volunteers of America is helping Lenox to become as independent as possible so he’ll continue to lead a happy, fulfilling life for many years to come. Including when we’re no longer here for him.