For Carleena Henderson, motherhood was not always part of the plan. Today, it is the center of her life — a role she carries with resilience, faith and fierce devotion to her son. Born in San Francisco and raised primarily in Oakland, Henderson considers herself an Oakland native. She attended local schools and graduated from Skyline High School in 2011. Her life took a dramatic turn in 2020, when tragedy struck while she was four months pregnant with her first child.
Her brother was murdered in Richmond, just across the street from their home. A father of five and a youth football coach, he dedicated himself to mentoring children who had lost fathers to violence. His death devastated the family.
“I was pregnant and grieving at the same time,” Henderson said. “I didn’t even realize I was dealing with depression until much later.”
Despite the heartbreak, she pushed forward. When her son, Jeffery, was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, the moment brought both healing and a renewed sense of purpose. Family members gathered to celebrate his arrival, and he quickly became the center of attention — especially as the first grandchild on his father’s side.
“He came into the world with his eyes wide open,” Henderson said, laughing. “Like he had already been here before.”
Jeffery was a calm baby who rarely cried without reason. He walked early and was full of energy, always eager to explore the world around him. As he grew older, however, Henderson began noticing subtle developmental differences, particularly with speech and communication.
She first raised concerns with daycare providers and doctors, but finding the right support proved challenging. Insurance delays, long referral wait times and conflicting evaluations slowed the process. When Jeffrey enrolled in a private school, the experience became even more difficult.
“It broke my heart,” Henderson said. “They had no idea what I had been through or how hard I was fighting for my son.”
At the same time, Henderson was coping with another profound loss. Her mother died in 2023, leaving Henderson and her son largely on their own, with support from her fiancé and his family. Despite the setbacks, she refused to give up.
Henderson continued advocating for evaluations and therapy. After years of persistence, Jeffrey was connected to speech therapy and school-based support services. One of those resources was Ekua Walker, a nurse practitioner with the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group at the Sutter Health Fremont Care Center.
This year, Jeffrey was diagnosed with moderate autism, finally bringing Henderson clarity after a journey that began when her son was three.
“When I first met Jeffery, it was clear that his family had been navigating an overwhelming amount of loss in such a short time,” Walker said. “I wanted to listen, offer guidance and stand with them in that moment. When we arrived at his autism diagnosis, it opened the door to therapies, services and understanding his family had been fighting so hard to access.”
Since then, the progress has been significant.
Speech therapy has helped Jeffrey communicate with more confidence. At school, individualized education plans and supportive teachers have helped him thrive. At home, the smallest moments carry the greatest meaning — such as when he proudly talks on the phone with his grandparents or tells his mother how beautiful she looks.
“I’m just thankful he talks to me,” Henderson said. “Sometimes he’ll say, ‘Mom, you’re so beautiful.’ That means everything.”
“Just one month later, seeing the transformation in Jeffery was incredible,” Walker added. “Witnessing his mother’s strength and renewed hope was truly inspiring. Their resilience is a powerful reminder of why this work matters.”
Throughout every challenge, Henderson’s faith and determination have guided her. She credits her mother with instilling the belief that a parent must always fight for their child.
Today, her greatest dream is simple.
“I just want him to have a normal life,” she said. “Friends, memories, school dances, graduations — all of it.”
She hopes to watch him walk across many stages, from elementary school to college graduations, building independence and confidence along the way. Until then, Henderson will continue doing what she has done since the day her son was born: advocating, believing and loving him fiercely.
“My son is the glue,” she said. “And I’m going to keep fighting for him every step of the way.”
