How UTHealth Houston helped young boy go from grief to resilience and healing

Daron Brim, 10, was enjoying a summer day by the pool when his mother, Cherice Thomas, smiled, waved, and slid down the water slide, never to resurface. 

As his mother remained underwater, struggling to get to the surface, Daron screamed, cried, and begged onlookers to jump into the water and save her. Minutes later, Cherice stopped moving. She drowned with Daron watching in horror. 

The next day, Daron moved from Los Angeles to Houston to live with his new guardian, Blair Redmond, or as Daron calls her, “Auntie Blair.” He was now in a brand-new city, home, and soon to start a new school later that summer. On top of the sudden and unimaginable grief, he was going to celebrate his 11th birthday without his mother. 

After moving to Houston and entering a new school, Daron was introduced to Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT), a state-funded program established by The Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium that connects Texas students in need with licensed mental health professionals, such as therapists from UTHealth Houston, at no cost to the families. The program only requires a school referral, guardian consent, and a private space at school. 

He was matched with Marisol Mendez, MEd, licensed professional counselor and TCHATT provider with UTHealth Houston, who helped him begin the journey of grief and coping. From the start, she recognized Daron’s strength. 

“Daron is a beautiful person who experienced something terrible. Throughout our therapeutic process, he showed up vulnerable, resilient, mature, and wise,” Mendez said.

Mendez helped Daron find an outlet to process his loss.

“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,” Redmond said. 

As Daron began to open up, he learned that through this immeasurable loss and suffering, he could have a future where he was happy. “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 said. 

Daron began to understand that grief and healing can coexist. 

“He also had the support of his loving aunt, and that made all the difference in treatment,” Mendez said. In the safe space of TCHATT, Daron processed his grief, reflected, and told his story, which was powerful and healing for him. Mendez saw the path forward that Daron was carving for himself. “He has clear goals for his life, and I have no doubt that he will meet his aspirations. It was a privilege to work with Daron,” Mendez said. 

TCHATT’s model removes barriers that many families face, like transportation challenges and cost concerns. Meeting with a counselor usually lasts five or six sessions but can be extended if the counselor believes it is needed. This care truly makes a difference for children, often determining whether they strive or continue to struggle. “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 ok to ask for help,” Mendez said.

Daron wants to continue to share his book, “A Love That Never Leaves,” and help other children understand grief that they may be facing and continue to thrive.

“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,” wrote Daron in his book. 

With the support of his Auntie Blair, her husband, and Mendez, Daron has been able to begin writing a new chapter. “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,” Daron wrote. 

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