In a heart-wrenching incident that tragically altered his life, 10-year-old Daron Brim found himself grappling with unimaginable loss when his mother, Cherice Thomas, drowned in a pool accident.
During a summer day filled with warmth and promise, Cherice joyfully slid down a water slide, only to struggle beneath the surface, ultimately succumbing to drowning while her son watched in horror.
The following day, just hours after this traumatic event, Daron moved from his hometown of Los Angeles to Houston to live with his guardian, Blair Redmond, whom he affectionately calls “Auntie Blair.”
As he transitioned to a new city and faced the prospect of starting a new school later that summer, Daron was confronted not only with sudden grief but also with the reality of celebrating his upcoming 11th birthday without his mother.
Amidst this overwhelming change, Daron was introduced to Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT), a state-funded initiative designed to connect Texas students with licensed mental health professionals at no cost, easing the burden typically associated with accessing mental health care.
After receiving a referral from his school and with the consent of his guardian, Daron was matched with Marisol Mendez, a licensed professional counselor and TCHATT provider with UTHealth Houston.
Mendez was quick to recognize Daron’s inner strength despite the tragedy he had endured.
“Daron is a beautiful person who experienced something terrible. Throughout our therapeutic process, he showed up vulnerable, resilient, mature, and wise,” Mendez commented on Daron’s character.
Through their sessions, Mendez provided Daron with avenues to process his grief constructively, encouraging him to express his emotions and memories.
“Daron wrote a book about his mother in TCHATT. He has been wanting to tell other children about this experience to help them understand how to handle death when it shows up. Even though it is painful, death is a part of life,” shared Auntie Blair.
As Daron continued to write, he began to form a new relationship with his grief, focusing on positive memories of his mother rather than just her absence.
“He learned to focus on memories that he had with his mother, not only the loss of her. Therapy is giving him a new outlook on life; it’s helping him realize that we aren’t always promised tomorrow. Intend on making this a good day, because tomorrow is not promised,” Redmond explained.
Understanding that grief and healing can coexist became an essential part of Daron’s journey, supported by his loving aunt.
“He also had the support of his loving aunt, and that made all the difference in treatment,” Mendez added, emphasizing the critical role of familial support in Daron’s healing process.
In the safe space of TCHATT, Daron was able to reflect on his experiences and articulate his feelings, a process Mendez noted as powerful and healing.
“I have no doubt that Daron will meet his aspirations,” Mendez remarked confidently, highlighting the goals Daron has set for himself.
The TCHATT program is designed to remove barriers that often inhibit access to mental health care, such as transportation difficulties and financial concerns.
Typically, counseling sessions last five or six meetings but can be extended based on the counselor’s assessment.
This accessibility is crucial, enabling children like Daron to thrive during challenging times.
“If someone is struggling, they should seek their school counselor and, additionally, ask if TCHATT services are available on their campus. Everyone faces challenges, and it is okay to ask for help,” Mendez advised.
Daron remains committed to sharing his book titled “A Love That Never Leaves” to help others navigate their grief.
“I watched as my mom drowned right in front of me. That moment is frozen in my mind forever. It was the day I felt my world crack. It was the day I lost everything,” Daron poignantly wrote in his book.
With the unwavering support of Auntie Blair, her husband, and Mendez, Daron is now working on writing a new chapter in his life.
“At first, the future looked dark. I didn’t want to talk about what happened. I was angry, hurt, and confused. But now, talking helps, writing helps, singing helps. I see a future for myself now – one that’s filled with purpose and joy,” he expressed with newfound hope.
image source from：uth
