Guest Profile

Julienne Gousse MSW

 

My name is Julienne Danielle Gousse.  I am from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where my brothers and I lived with an unpaid “Nanny” for 3 years.  She saved our lives as we were unaccompanied.  This “Nanny” is now 107 years old and lives in South Carolina with her only daughter.  This woman is the reason that I survived the streets of Port-au-Prince.  I immigrated to the USA when I was 13 years old, went to school, learned English, lived on my own since the age of 17 worked, and earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern Connecticut State University and Fordham University, respectively. I currently work as a middle school French teacher in the Atlanta Public Schools. I am also the founder of a not-for-profit organization, Sebastien’s Castle, that provides support, advocacy and psycho-educational services for autistic individuals and their families.

 

On September 30, 1996, I became a mother for the first time.  I named him so that he would be proud of his name when he became president of the world or crowned king, whichever came first. Sebastien showed signs of being Autistic, he was diagnosed with Childhood Disintegrative Disorder/Autism at 3 years old.

I was his teacher, a fierce defender, a warrior, a bully who never took no for an answer by phone, letter, email, I had to hear your NO in person to my face. I was a strong advocate at his Individualized Education Planning meetings. Fast forward, Sebastien turned out exactly the way I fought for him to become.  He is independent, autonomous, takes responsibility for himself and his finances, and he was accepted to Southern Connecticut State University, my alma mater.