8 EDCAL September 19 , 2016
SUCCEEDING
Continued from page 1
months later , doctors diagnosed her medulloblastoma , a cancerous pediatric brain tumor .
“ I kind of can ’ t believe we even went through this because it was so hellish ,” Reibel said . “ It wasn ’ t just the fact that she might die . To hear a doctor say that ‘ we can extend her life , but she might not make it to kindergarten ’ is just the scariest , most God-awful thing anyone can ever tell you .”
The tumor , located in the fourth ventricle of the brain underneath the cerebellum , explained Rosalie ’ s balance issues . Doctors performed surgery to remove the tumor but the treatment that followed was 18 months of chemotherapy and radiation .
“ You ’ re so totally encapsulated in the moment of every single hour of this child ’ s life ,” Reibel said . “ She ’ s facing challenges that you yourself have never seen . You just have s
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Rosalie Reibel , foreground , didn ’ t let a brain tumor stop her motivation .
to take care of your child in that moment .”
Rosalie ’ s tumor recurred in her spine in June of 2008 . But after more chemotherapy and radiation sessions , she is now cancer free . Rosalie still uses a walker to help her with coordination and balance . But she has navigated the campus with unwavering confidence despite a few obstacles .
“ It ’ s hard because sometimes in the afterschool child care , there ’ s backpacks in the way , and I have to get over them using my walker ,” Rosalie said . “ And also , it ’ s really hard to get into school in the tight spaces .” s
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Journee Jacobs beat a tough childhood , found a new family and success in school .
Rosalie graduated from Clarendon Elementary in the spring and is now attending Presidio Middle School . The road map to her future is not entirely clear . But what is known is Rosalie ’ s kindness and determination will continue to help her persevere through life ’ s toughest challenges .
“ I think Rosalie has helped gain more empathy for all students who may have learning challenges or physical differences ,” said Peter Van Court , principal at Clarendon Elementary . “ And it ’ s been a big part of the school , learning that we live in a world where you really want to understand that there are challenges . But the people who have challenges and are able to overcome those challenges actually have much more to offer than you would imagine if you would just take the time to get to know them . And Rosalie is definitely an example of that .”
Journee Jacobs : A walk in my shoes
“ People have never really understood what my life has been like ,” the letter reads . “ But that ’ s OK because it isn ’ t their story . It ’ s mine .”
The letter was written by Journee Jacobs , Region 15 Every Student Succeeding Award recipient . It is a declaration to anyone who reads it that Journee ’ s life , while difficult , is far from over . In fact , it ’ s only just beginning .
“ I am worth it ,” Journee writes . “ I am more than enough . And I am beautiful .” Journee was just 7 years old when her father destroyed her innocence .
“ He took off my clothes and he touched me ,” Journee said . “ I was scared . I didn ’ t know what was going on . I didn ’ t know if this was supposed to happen because it ’ s never happened before . We never did anything like this . I felt abused . Kind of violated . I didn ’ t know why this was happening .”
James Ernest Jenkins , Journee ’ s father , is a convicted sex offender . Though Journee never reported the incident to the police , Jenkins is behind bars . In 2010 , he pleaded guilty to 17 counts of child molestation of a different child . Jenkins is serving a sentence of 850 years to life in prison .
“ When my mom talked to me , she said , ‘ Just know it ’ s not your fault ,’” Journee said . “’ And thank you for telling me . Your dad wasn ’ t supposed to do that .’ She told me he was supposed to protect me . I felt like a father should protect his daughter . But at that point , it was like , that was no protection there .”
Journee ’ s mother put her in the foster care system . It ’ s something Journee says she still does not understand .
“ Maybe she thought she couldn ’ t protect us I guess ,” Journee said . “ So she thought being in foster care would be better than her taking care of us . Of course I was abused sexually and she wasn ’ t there to protect me , so maybe she felt that guilt I guess .”
After two years of abuse in the foster care system , Journee met the woman she would soon call “ Mom ,” Johnnie Jacobs .
“ I got adopted when I was age 9 ,” Journee said . “ She cried . She talked to me about it , and she said , ‘ Do you want to be here forever ?’ And I said , ‘ Yeah I don ’ t want to go anywhere .’ And she was like , ‘ I ’ m going to adopt you . And adopting you means you ’ ll stay in my family . You won ’ t go anywhere . If I pass away , you still have family who can take care of you .’”
Johnnie Jacobs said it was an easy decision to adopt Journee . “ She showed that she was a little kid who wanted to be helped and wanted to be rescued ,” Jacobs said . “ She needed someone badly . And I ’ m just so glad that I was there to do that .”
Journee graduated from Antelope Valley High School in Lancaster in June . She plans to pursue a career in law enforcement in hopes of helping others who cannot help themselves .
“ For all of those who have been silenced by their abusers , I will be their voice ,” Journee wrote in her letter . “ My life has afforded me the chance to change them , because I was able to change me . And I will use my life as a stepping stone for them to stand tall too .”
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