Jim Downey and the National Honor Society

When my son Jim was diagnosed with PDD (a high functioning form of Autism) at age three, I thought my world was falling apart. The doctors made no guarantees. They could not tell me what he would be able to accomplish, or how far he would go in life. We didn’t even know if he would speak. There were no answers and no expectations. We lived life one day at a time.

Education was never easy. After a trying and difficult start, Jim left the Canton Public School system to attend a specialized school during his middle school years. It was a great fit, and he excelled and learned how to cope with his learning differences. He grew and accomplished so much that the time came when it was decided that he had actually outgrown the program and he returned to our community to attend the high school. Jim is now a junior at Canton High, and because of all of his hard work and determination, last night he was recognized as an Honorary Member of Canton High School’s Chapter of the National Honor Society.

Jim has worked so hard and is so deserving of this honor. For the last 3 years he has kept his grades up, and has missed very few days of school; one year the Red Sox Home Opener was the only day he missed! He has also become an upstanding and active member of our community. He volunteers at school every chance he gets, by being part of the recycling program, the Ambassador Program; volunteering at art shows and school plays, and he has just begun videotaping high school sports games. A lover of all sports, Jim’s dream has always been to be a sportscaster, though now he seems to prefer being behind the camera as well.

Outside of school, he volunteers at the Mass Audubon Society and the Canton Food Pantry.

Looking back, education really was difficult and there have been many struggles. Seeing Jim walk across that stage last night, looking so handsome in his suit with that big, beautiful smile, and be honored for all of his hard work, dedication, and determination is more than a dream come true. I am so proud of all that he has accomplished, and I know that his teachers, both past and present, take pride in the young man that he has become. They are a big part of his success, and they never gave up on him, knowing that there was this bright, amazing child whose only difference was that he learned differently.  

I wanted to share this story because it is so important that other parents and kids with learning differences know about the opportunities that are available if you don’t make limitations a part of the equation. I never held my son back, and I always try to encourage him and love him and tell him how proud I am of him. I don’t know how far Jim will go, or what he will be able to accomplish in the future, but after last night, I truly believe that the sky is the limit for my shining star. Congratulations Jim!!

Frances Downey

January 24, 2013

Jim Downey is a Junior at Canton High School