A Grandmother’s Love: The Story of Jeanette and Semaj

Jeanette’s journey has been anything but easy. As a young child, she herself experienced turmoil at home. By the time she was 13, a school counselor stepped in to help her leave that life behind, guiding her into the foster care system. But her experiences in foster care were far from ideal. She was moved through three different homes before aging out at 18. The instability was challenging, but it also planted the seeds of resilience. “I remember Christmases in foster care,” Jeanette says. “Some years, I’d be lucky to get two gifts.”

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Despite the challenges, Jeanette found her way to college on her own, pursuing a degree in Missions Education. Her determination took her to Africa, where she spent nearly two years as a missionary. When family needs arose, she returned to the U.S. to care for her brother, who has a developmental disability. It was a role she took on willingly, guided by her deep-seated compassion and sense of responsibility.

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After many years, life, however, had more challenges in store. Jeanette suffered three strokes, leaving her with limited mobility on her right side. But her spirit remained unbroken. When her granddaughter, Semaj, needed her, Jeanette didn’t hesitate to step in. And thanks to additional help from her family support system and the services provided by ISDD, Jeanette felt she could give Semaj the best life possible.

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Semaj’s early life was marked by hardship. Born into a home affected by substance misuse, she faced developmental delays, severe food aversion, and speech difficulties due to prenatal substance exposure. Jeanette and her husband, both living on fixed incomes, took her in around Semaj’s first birthday, determined to give her the love and care she deserved. “Semaj didn’t choose this,” Jeanette says. “She deserved stability, safety, and a chance to thrive.”

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Raising Semaj came with its own set of challenges. Every milestone she achieved felt like a victory hard-won. Jeanette recalls the joy of watching Semaj take her first steps this past May, and more recently, her successes at school. But the financial strain of providing for Semaj on a limited income meant that extras like holiday celebrations often felt out of reach.

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That’s when Jeanette learned about the Adopt-a-Family program from her Case Manager at ISDD. She didn’t expect much beyond a small gift or two. What she received was a heartwarming surprise. At the gift pickup, staff loaded her car with wrapped presents, a fully assembled play kitchen, and enough groceries to ease her worries over the holidays. “It was overwhelming,” Jeanette says, her voice breaking with emotion. “It brought back so many memories of my childhood. I never wanted Semaj to feel like I did as a child. This made me feel like she mattered, like we both mattered.”

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Semaj’s reaction was priceless. She immediately fell in love with her new play kitchen and grocery cart, delighting in her ability to mimic everyday tasks. “For a child who struggles to express herself, seeing her gravitate immediately toward the toys was everything,” Jeanette shares. 

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The impact of Adopt-a-Family extended beyond the gifts. “This program is about more than material things,” Jeanette says. “It’s about reminding families like mine that we’re not alone. There are people who care, who want to help us make it through.”

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Adopt-a-Family is a testament to the power of community. In 2024, the program served 119 families, providing toys, warm clothing, groceries, and gift cards thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers. For families like Jeanette’s, the support goes beyond the holiday season—it’s a reminder that they are seen, valued, and supported.

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“For financial reasons, there’s a lot I can’t give Semaj,” Jeanette admits. “But this Christmas, I think she felt loved and special. That’s a gift I couldn’t have given her on my own.”

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As the holiday season ends, Jeanette has a message for the donors, volunteers and staff who make Adopt-a-Family possible. “Keep doing what you’re doing,” she says. “You’re not just giving gifts. You’re giving hope, and that changes lives.”

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Jeanette dreams of a bright future for Semaj: learning to talk, eating solid foods, and thriving in school. For now, she’s holding onto the joy of this past holiday season, a reminder that even in the hardest times, kindness can light the way, and it's good to know kindness still exists.