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May 20, 2015 By STARS Leave a Comment

Shway’s Courage

Than_STARS

*Shway and his family came to America when he was 14-years old as refugees from Burma.

Shway spent the first fourteen years of his life alone and isolated. For fourteen years, Shway wasn’t able to communicate or speak with anyone, not even his family. Shway was born deaf.

Unfortunately, neither Shway’s family nor anyone in the community knew sign language. Growing up in a community where learning how to sign wasn’t an option meant Shway could not attend school. This meant he did not have the opportunity to develop language; he didn’t learn things had names or the scribbles on signs or books had meaning.

Even though the kids around him went to school every day, he would spend his days alone trying to make sense of the world around him.

The day Shway boarded the plane to America, he didn’t know where he was going. It was like any other day, he followed his family. He didn’t know that a whole other world was about to open up to him. He didn’t even know other places existed.

Soon, Shway would be able to tell someone about his day, how he felt or if he was hungry. He would be going to school and learning for the first time. Finally, he would know what the things around him meant. He would have friends to connect with, laugh with; he would have teachers and interpreters who believed in him and cared for him.

I’m sure if you were to ask Shway now, he would say he had no idea how much his life would change just by boarding the plane to America.Than_STARSOnce Shway arrived in America, he still had many challenges before him. Not only was he in a new country with new cultures and customs but he would start attending school. Shway’s challenge now was to start learning how to communicate and it would be tough. Majority of children started learning as infants, Shway was 14. He had to start from the very beginning. He had to learn the alphabet, colors, nouns, and verbs, and to read and write. Not only did he have the challenge of learning one language, but Shway had to learn two: English and American Sign Language. With a lot of support from teachers, interpreters, and STARS Services for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing program, Shway was able to learn quickly and he excelled!

However, Shway still couldn’t communicate with his family. His family did not speak English, and they didn’t know how to sign. This made it very difficult for Shway to communicate with them as well as for them to learn sign language. Eventually, Shway’s sister learned sign language and was able to help him communicate at home. For the first time in fourteen years, Shway was able to develop a relationship with his family.

Shway came from a place of darkness, loneliness, and isolation but through his hard work and determination he was able to flourish. None of this could have been achieved without his incredible strength and courage. Recently, Shway, a graduating senior from Hillsboro High school, a student of STARS Services for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, received an award for the tremendous courage he’s shown throughout his life. Shway’s tremendous courage and willpower to overcome the many challenges he’s had to face are humbling. Now, Shway hopes to continue his education, work, and someday travel all over the world. We can’t wait to see what the futures holds for you, Shway!SSWDHHSTARS was able to:

  • Work with Shway’s family to teach them sign language. Shway’s family is able to communicate and have a relationship with their son.
  • Offer family support – from teaching the family about Deaf Culture to valuable resources available for Shway.
  • Involve Shway in social activities for the deaf including after school programs and camps.
  • Help Shway gain work experience by exposing him to volunteer opportunities to further his knowledge.
  • Create a transition plan for life after high school.

To learn more or stay updated with our Services for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, visit our page.

*Name was changed for privacy.

Filed Under: Services for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Success Stories, What's Happening Now

February 11, 2015 By STARS Leave a Comment

Growing through Generosity

Julie Albee (STARS Counselor), along with a few teachers coordinated a fundraiser last month for a former FHS student, Ify Nonyelu. Ify was involved in a accident that left him paralyzed. Here is a Ify’s story—


Ify Nonyelu: Growing through Generosity

It began with a story we had heard from a local news channel about former Franklin High School student and basketball player Ify Nonyelu. In 2007, as Ify was about to enter his senior year at FHS he had driven his cousin to work one morning and fell asleep at the wheel. His van flipped three times down an embankment. He survived but he suffered a C4-C5 spinal cord injury, which meant he was paralyzed from the chest down. Before the accident, Ify had been diagnosed with scoliosis – curvature of the spine. His spinal cord injury caused his scoliosis to worsen and there was no choice but to operate. As a result Ify had a spinal fusion, which made him two inches taller. Although the surgery was successful, Ify can no longer get into his van without someone forcing his head down to fit under the door. This causes pain and puts the rods and pins that were placed in his back at risk of being dislodged. His chair is custom fitted to his leg length so the chair cannot be lowered. Because of the pain of being forced in and out of the van, Ify doesn’t leave the house. Ify desires to regain some independence and to attend college and become a software engineer. Having a new van would afford him this opportunity.When we heard about Ify’s story we were reminded of our goal to make generosity a part of our growth story at Grassland Middle School. And so that is what our community did. Our school collected $1500.00 in donations to contribute to the purchase of a new van for Ify. The donations we received from students, their families and staff confirm that Ify’s story resonates with so many of us. His perseverance, hope, and humility are an inspiration and remind us that living generously helps us to also view our own lives with a new lens of gratitude.

-Julie Albee, M.A. STARS Specialist

Filed Under: Student Assistance Program, Success Stories Tagged With: random acts of kindness

November 28, 2014 By STARS Leave a Comment

Overcoming Sexual Abuse, Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Success Stories @ STARS

One of our STARS counselors shared a truly incredible story about a young person who is on the path to recovery from sexual abuse and alcohol and drug addiction.

“I met this student her freshman year when I was speaking in a classroom about STARS.  Her presenting issues were a history of sexual abuse, alcohol/drug use in her family as well as her own abuse of pills and difficulty controlling anger.  She agreed to be in a STARS support group and through that experience decided to stop abusing drugs.  Although she had received some help when she was much younger for the sexual abuse, she saw that this was the root cause of her anger.

The group that she participated in gave her a safe place to express feelings and the support she needed to grow and heal. This remarkable young lady was alcohol/drug free for the rest of her high school experience; was successful academically; and was able to help her peers deal with similar issues.  In her senior year, she began giving back by speaking to younger students who were struggling with abuse issues.  She is a freshman this year at UTK and plans to major in nursing.”

Need Support?

Local to Middle Tennessee?

Great news! STARS offers education tools to help you, your organization, school, peers, and young children know how they can be advocates for bullying prevention, providing prevention, intervention and treatment services addressing bullying, substance abuse, violence, and social and emotional barriers to success.

Check out our different programs that are geared toward a variety of age groups:

Student Assistant Program

Kids On The Block: K -8th

Services for Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Move2Stand: 9th-12th

Adult Trainings

STARS Youth Overcoming Drug Abuse (YODA) program located in Nashville, TN provides compassionate care for adolescents and young adults with substance use and co-occurring disorders. YODA provides free treatment services to youth ages 13-18 who are uninsured or have insurance that will not pay for treatment.

Visit us at the Youth Opportunity Center 1704 Charlotte Ave Nashville, TN 37203 or visit our website 

For referral & intake call our confidential line: (615) 983-6809

National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Filed Under: Success Stories Tagged With: student assistance, success stories, youth overcoming drug abuse

November 24, 2014 By STARS Leave a Comment

Anne & Her Experience with STARS Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program

STARS Success Story

In 2012, Anne would soon be adopting a girl named Kerbbeh from Liberia who was deaf and living in a foster home. Anne did not have any previous experience with American Sign Language or Deaf Culture so she contacted STARS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program to help her prepare for the arrival of her daughter. STARS staff worked with her vigorously for two months until she left for Liberia. By the time she left, she had learned basic sign language and enough skills to communicate with Kerbbeh.Anne’s Words

“[The] assistance and support has been a critical part of our family for over two years.  Laura prepared me to communicate with Kerbbeh from the start, which gave me and my daughter a foundation of trust that has only grown with Laura’s consistent coaching and teaching.  Laura provides so much more than ASL; her knowledge and experience are invaluable.  She is my go-to person for advice on all things Deaf culture.  She helps me navigate discussions about Kerbbeh’s care, illustrates how Kerbbeh’s brain processes information, and provides guidance on incorporating my hearing children into ASL conversation.  I could write volumes about all she has taught me but will sum it up with ‘she is literally a life saver!’ ”- Anne

Over the past two years, STARS has continued to work with Anne who is now fluent in ASL.  Anne has since returned to Liberia to adopt Kerbbeh’s younger sister, Hannah, and is using her experience to enable Hannah to communicate with Kerbbeh in ASL.

If you want to know more about our Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program click here.

Filed Under: Success Stories Tagged With: deaf and hard of hearing program, deaf culture, success stories

November 12, 2014 By STARS Leave a Comment

Someone To Talk To

STARS Logo with taglineSuccess Stories @ STARS

Recently, some individuals shared powerful stories about how STARS has made an impact on their lives. It is humbling to have such an effect on these individuals’ lives.

Story #1

“I like the fact that when you need someone to talk about ‘hard’ times you can talk to the STARS counselor.  I like that you can talk about your feelings…  I can now tell some people what is on my mind.  I am more open to people than when I started STARS. I was like a locked gate with no key but now I am a door with the handle turned. All you have to do is give a little push and I will somewhat open up.”

Need Support?

Local to Middle Tennessee?

Great news! STARS offers education tools to help you, your organization, school, peers, and young children know how they can be advocates for bullying prevention, providing prevention, intervention and treatment services addressing bullying, substance abuse, violence, and social and emotional barriers to success.

Check out our different programs that are geared toward a variety of age groups:

Student Assistant Program

Kids On The Block: K -8th

Services for Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Move2Stand: 9th-12th

Adult Trainings

STARS Youth Overcoming Drug Abuse (YODA) program located in Nashville, TN provides compassionate care for adolescents and young adults with substance use and co-occurring disorders. YODA provides free treatment services to youth ages 13-18 who are uninsured or have insurance that will not pay for treatment.

Visit us at the Youth Opportunity Center 1704 Charlotte Ave Nashville, TN 37203 or visit our website 

For referral & intake call our confidential line: (615) 983-6809

National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Filed Under: Success Stories, What's Happening Now Tagged With: student assistance, success stories, youth overcoming drug abuse

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STARS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, culture, religion or creed, socioeconomic status, language, age, sexual orientation, or national origin. No one shall be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any of STARS’ programs or activities. STARS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This agency is funded, in part, by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Tennessee Department of Education and by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.
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