As C’s mom I cannot put into words…

the benefits of his SYATS experience. People always say kids are resilient when they go through difficulties, but I don’t think that’s always true. Kids can move forward from trauma in order to find normalcy, but just because they go back to normal activities does not mean they’ve recovered. After C’s physical scars, burns and pain subsided he could physically go back to normal activities and this seemed like the easy part because the body will try as best it can to heal. These physical steps get so much attention from medical staff and well-meaning friends. ‘Your scar looks great!’ ‘Your labs results are good!’ 

But it’s the unseen lingering scars that can’t be easily seen or measured. Even while being present with him through every test and treatment, I don’t know what it’s like to go through what he’s experienced. No one in our family or circle of friends could sympathize from experience. SYATS gives teens the power to be there for each other and the tools to take the next step in their life. My son came back with confidence and more like himself then we’d seen since his diagnosis. Thank you for helping heal his unseen and unmeasurable parts. 

I am forever grateful to the part you all played in his journey.