Spring Break
Student cares for special needs child
49-year-old mother of three works toward degree in natural resources, environmental science while raising 13-year-old son
Shyna Gill
Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: News
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"I love my school. This school gave me a chance," she said.
Goodness, 49, is a single mother of three sons: Conrad, 26, a U.S. Forest Service firefighter who lives in southern Oregon; C.J., 21, who lives in Corvallis; and Caleb, who is just 13.
Goodness is originally from the northern Oregon coast, but later moved to Eugene and attended Lane Community College, ultimately landing in Corvallis after fleeing domestic violence.
"If it wasn't for this school giving me a chance and believing in me, I just don't know where we would be," Goodness said.
As a parent who attends OSU full-time, Goodness, a U.S. Army veteran and former firefighter and paramedic, faces challenges that many students at college normally do not. Because her son, Caleb, is autistic, Goodness must juggle both of their schedules in day-to-day life. He cannot be left alone for any period of time, according to Goodness.
"He has the most beautiful spirit," she said. "He is really in touch with his Native American heritage. He will tell me 'Mom, even rocks have spirits,' and how we need to respect nature."
Due to his autism, Caleb has a tendency to wander and become distracted. "I have a very narrow window of time that I can be on campus," Goodness said.
Caleb is currently tutored at home by the Corvallis School District because of a suspension, according to Goodness.
"They are providing a tutor for him until we can find a better placement for him. He has a team of professionals through the county to brainstorm to figure out how we can find a safe place that isn't overwhelming for him," she said. "He is a target for junior high school kids; he is called 'retard,'" she said. "He is the target on campus because he is different, you can tell."
Goodness said that Caleb's school suspension occurred during midterms. "I missed some tests, so I am playing catch-up," she said. Goodness said that fighting battles involving Caleb's education and juggling her own education are difficult. "What am I supposed to do? It's like a big giant I am trying to fight," she said.
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