By Bishop Michael Goings
In the annals of human history and from the dawn of time, there have been people who were classified as heroes or heroines.  These often time very ordinary people were catapulted on the spare of the moment into the crucibles and were able through their courage and sacrifice to do extraordinary things.
Most of us are aware of the heroes of myth, legend and history.  We are quite familiar with their fame and feats.  In myth and legend, we know of Hercules, Jason, Achilles, Elcid, Robin Hood and many others.  In the biblical archives we have read of Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samson, David, and a host of others.
In the pantheon of American history, we revere and celebrate the likes of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Sergeant Alvin York, Martin Luther King Jr., and others too numerous to mention in this commentary.  Heroes and heroines come in many shapes, forms, and fashions.
In the American experience, we have had military heroes, political heroes, social activist heroes, scientific heroes, academic heroes, and heroes in nearly every sector of our culture.
One of the definitions that the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary gives for hero is “a man admired for his achievement and noble qualities; one that shows great courage.”  Based upon this definition, I will now introduce you to the hero (heroine) that I would like to briefly cite and celebrate in this commentary.
This person has no knowledge of what I am presenting here nor of how truly heroic she is.  Matter of fact, if she knew I was compiling this with her as the character of interest, she no doubt would have given much opposition and strong argument why it should not be her.  She would insist that it should be someone else who would seem more deserving in her estimation.  This quality within itself (along with many other virtues) is why she is a heroic person who is well worthy of citing and celebrating.
I have known SeLisa Yvette Scott nearly all of her natural life and have had the privilege and honor to serve as her pastor for thirty one years.  She has always been a model member of our church family and an asset to all that we have endeavored to achieve in the work of the Lord.  To be truly honest about it, she is the last remaining foundational member who is still an active part of our fellowship along with me.
However, this tribute to her is not about all that she has done for Outreach Family Fellowship over the many years that she has served with much sacrifice and distinction.  It is about something that is of greater significance and therefore needs to be shared with others.
SeLisa and her husband, County Council Chairman Archie Scott are the proud parents of two sons, Aaron and Ephraim.  Aaron is a sophomore at Dillon High School and is a lead drummer with the Marching ‘Cats.  Ephraim is in the seventh grade and is a special needs child with autism.  Ironically, it was the acknowledgement and acceptance of his autistic condition at the age of two that thrust her into the crucible and thus compelled her into the status of a heroine.
Accepting the News
In my estimation, some of the most tragic and even heart rending news that a parent (especially mother) can receive is that there is something abnormal with her child.  I was in the unenviable position of observing the emotional turmoil that she experienced at the initial knowledge of her son’s condition.  Being that she is the administrative secretary of the church, I watched her struggle through self guilt and agony for a season.  Like any normal mother, she had to contend with these demons until her day of deliverance came.
At some point, and I can not tell you exactly when, the weight of guilt and self pity was lifted off of her shoulders.  Through much prayer and thanksgiving, she was finally able to come out of the horrible pit where the initial knowledge of Ephraim’s autism had landed her.
Battling for her Boy
Selisa and her husband have had to battle for their autistic son nearly all of his life.  Living in an area where many were ignorant of the symptoms of this condition and therefore insensitive and downright rude to children who were challenged by it, Selisa had to fight for her child against these demons that sought to stigmatize, victimize and even deprive him of his rights. She has had to fight in some of the most unlikely places to get people to respect and accept her son without branding him as a troublemaker or freak.  She’s had to confront prejudice, ignorance and intolerance in the school as well as the church; shame on us.  Battling for the rights and future of her son has indeed been burdensome and tedious as well as refreshing and rewarding.  Out of this seemingly bad situation, something good has emerged that is proving to be a source and wellspring of information for others.
The Birth of Y.A.N.A.
How often have we read or heard about how a tragedy became a triumphant, a trial became a testimony, or a stumbling block became a stepping stone? Not long after Selisa discovered her son was autistic, she became aware of many other parents in our locale who also had children with special needs. Like her, they also had struggled to find help and acceptance for their children.  Though institutions like the church and school system were compelled by law and conscience to accommodate and put up with these and other special needs children, their programs and initiatives lacked the means to truly help and remedy the problem. Perhaps due to a lack of funds, Selisa discovered (along with other parents) that the school where her son attended lacked the expertise and professional staff to adequately meet the educational needs of her son.
Out of much despair and observation of other parents who were also dealing with similar sentiments about the situation, Y.A.N.A. (You Are Not Alone) Special Needs Support Ministry was born.  This ministry, which is the first of its kind in our locale, has since its inception, given many parents of special needs children hope, inspiration, and information. However, more than anything, it has afforded them fellowship and camaraderie with others who share the same desires and concerns.  The organizing and overseeing of this urgently needed ministry along with the many other hats she wears at home, at church, in the community and as a full time student pursuing a degree in psychology, certifies Selisa as a true heroine who is worthy of much honor and praise.
Thank you SeLisa Yvette Scott for your sacrificial and untiring love and devotion to God, family, church and community. All of our lives have been enriched, enhanced, and empowered because of you.  To all of us, you are and will ever be a true heroine.