JUSTEN'S ‘HUGE' ACCOMPLISHMENT
Survivor of traumatic abuse to graduate from Wing Lake as he, his family transition into the unknown
Thousands of graduates of all ages are indulging in some or all of the usual traditions: prom, getting a cap and gown, final classes, planning a party, photo sessions, parties, joining a parade of classmates receiving diplomas, and maybe parents and teachers shedding a few happy tears.
All of those experiences are true for Justen Darnell, who graduates from Bloomfield Hills’ Wing Lake Developmental Center at 10 a.m. Friday, June 3.
His parents never thought they’d see Justen in a cap and gown. He’s 26 years old. Violent abuse during the first eight months of his life left him blind and mostly non-verbal, and with a host of physical challenges.
Robin and Marty Darnell took him in when he was just 10 months old, and later adopted him.
By the time he was five, Justen survived multiple operations. He’s since had countless more, for shunts to reduce brain swelling, medication pumps, and a hip replacement and reconstruction to fix damage from muscle atrophy. Today, a pump near his stomach infuses his body with medication to keep his muscles somewhat pliable.
That he’s alive at 26 is one reason graduation is “a huge, huge thing. I’m sending out announcements to the family,” Robin Darnell said. “We might go to dinner.”
Justen is happy, but completely dependent on others for basic needs like getting fed and bathed. He requires diapers.
The Darnells were foster parents for 17 years, inspired by Robin’s aunt, who fostered children when Robin was a child. The Darnells adopted nine of their 12 kids, whose ages range from 36
to 17, with Justen and two younger siblings still at home.
Justen’s been in specialed teacher Beth Munro’s class for at least the last four years. She works with her students on developing transitional skills. She helped him learn how to use a button operated device to respond to questions with “yes,” “no,” or “I don’t know.” The low-tech version of such communication is to ask him a yes or no question by tapping the palm or back of his hand, and watching which way his hand moves in response.
Munro has guided Justen’s hand for such activities as scooping fresh bedding into the class’ chicken pen or water into the chickens’ bowl. It can be messy, she said, but he enjoys activities. When the class made a baking soda volcano, Justen could hear the sounds and feel the vibrations. He blows kisses, and “has a big personality,” Munro said. “There’s a great light about him. He always smiles. He’s a great greeter and he loves to try new things, whatever that is.”
Wing Lake students can stay in school up to age 26, when state funded support for this resource ends. For students with a wider array of physical and cognitive skills, graduation is a transition that may involve, as Munro puts it, “getting out into the community.”
Her students will not advance to summer jobs and college.
Justen’s hearing is excellent. Sounds of any kind, even loud ones, delight him and laughter results.
“He says ‘Yay!” and he loves going to gym class,” Munro said.
One activity he likes is ice skating, which for him involves being strapped into a device that helps him stand, and helped onto a shaving-cream covered tarp, to slide his feet around in a skating fashion.
Physical movement is vital to his health.
On June 3, parents and school officials from the district are invited to attend the graduation. Teachers have made short slide shows for each of their students, who will be wearing red caps and gowns. They’ll be treated to postceremony cake, ice cream and punch.
While some high school seniors have already finished school, Wing Lake students remain in classes until June 24. On the last day, a row of teachers and students will line up to applaud them on the way out.
“You see a lot of tears. We go from seeing them every weekday to not seeing them,” Munro said, her voice thick with emotion.
Justen blossomed during his time at Wing Lake, Munro said, finding ways to let people know what he does, or doesn’t, want.
“You don’t always find that with everybody here,” she said. “He wants to be heard.”
Graduation will be “really joyful, and also extremely sad, for many different reasons,” Robin Darnell said. Joyful, because Justen has lived 26 years, and made progress in communicating and learning some physical skills.
Sad, because he has a cousin graduating from high school at 18, about to embark on a more-traditional future.
“It’s hard not to compare,” Robin Darnell said, adding quickly she is very happy for her niece.
Justen’s future remains “being very loved, and not just by my husband and I,” she said. “His brothers and sisters, too. He loves being around people. He makes
everybody happy around him.”
While the ceremony and other activities are “more for us than him,” Darnell said, “it’s pretty neat.” She sings the praises of Wing Lakes’ teachers and staff, adding that their support and connections have been “awesome.”
By June 27, though, “we have to find our own everything,” she said. Not just a day program, and physical and occupational therapy, but transportation. Justen is currently on a waiting list for a day program. It’s clear Robin Darnell is not holding her breath for a quick opening.
Sometimes friends ask what will happen to Justen when the Darnells are unable to care for him.
“One of my daughters said she’ll take care of him,” Robin Darnell said. “I have an amazing husband and family.”