Barbara Greenstone made a difference in the lives of students where others could not.
For several years, Greenstone worked with students and young adults with autism as a special education teacher in the Clarkston Community Education Center. Those who worked with her said her devotion showed at all times, even when her own illness began to take its toll on her.
Greenstone fought a five-year battle with ovarian cancer. After surgery, chemotherapy, and experimental stem cell treatment, Greenstone’s battle came to an end when she passed away on Jan. 7. She was 54. She is survived by her husband Arthur and three children ? Mollie, Anita and Anthony.
Ever devoted to her students, Greenstone continued to work intermittently throughout the 2005-06 school year, until her condition worsened.
‘She just wanted to get better so she could come in and work,? said Amy Batch, who worked alongside Greenstone and Tim Sinisho for six years. Batch said Greenstone was always optimistic, even when her health was poor.
‘She might have a bad day, but she always came back from it.?
‘She was a crusader for her kids,? said Anne Evans, executive director of student support services. ‘She was just an extraordinary teacher and it’s a huge loss for everyone who knew her.?
Well known in the Clarkston school district, Greenstone worked for six years as a para-educator before obtaining a bachelor’s degree in special education in 1995.
Greenstone worked with students ages 18-26 to help them become more independent, as part of the Post High Autism program. By implementing a mentor system, Greenstone gave students with autism the chance to socialize and work independently from their parents.
‘The sky was the limit for her students,? Evans said, adding there was nothing Greenstone wouldn’t do for her students to help them. ‘The kids are what kept her going.?
Greenstone’s battle began in 2002 when she noticed bloating in her stomach. But months went by before she discovered the serious nature of her problem, stage III ovarian cancer.
Her cancer went into remission for approximately six months in 2003. Through her own research, she discovered a doctor in Houston, Texas, who was performing experimental treatment using stem cells.
Greenstone talked with The Clarkston News in April of 2005, saying she went public with her own struggle in hopes of raising awareness, saying ‘Be proactive in your health care, ask questions, do research, follow your instincts. If you think something is wrong, question it. Make sure you understand what the doctor is telling you; and there is nothing wrong with a second opinion.?