JESSIE MINES (INDIANA)

Summer 2012

After raising four children on her own, Jessie Mines became a foster parent and later adopted one of her foster children, Sheyla. Despite what doctors told her, Jessie knew Sheyla could learn, so that’s what she expected. Jessie doesn’t use a computer or search the internet, but she has lots of common sense wisdom about how to teach Sheyla. Jessie has also learned how to locate people who can help. After participating in the Indiana Deafblind Services Project Fam­ily Leadership Training Program, Jessie has become more confident about speaking up for what Sheyla needs. She has also co-presented about deaf-blindness to the foster care organization with which she is affiliated and encourages other foster parents to consider bringing children with complex challenges into their families. More about Jessie and Sheyla…