February 15, 2023

Sharmba Varner lights up when she talks about her kids. While she takes great pride in her work as an admin tech III in Power Billing, her passion is in advocating for special needs families, particularly those struggling with their emotions.

Her other two children, 9-year-old Mhani and 4-year-old RJ, were recently featured on the February cover of Special Needs Living Akron/Canton.

Mhani saw the cover and thinks she is a celebrity, and RJ – he just doesn’t care. He’s like, “whatever. I’ll let her have it.”

RJ’s Down syndrome diagnosis came 12 weeks into Sharmba’s pregnancy. Six months later, Mhani was diagnosed with autism.

“She attends Julie Billiart, a special needs school, and is on the autism spectrum. Then I have my favorite little guy RJ. He is four, in his second year of pre-school, and has Down syndrome.”

(L.) Varner kids Mhani, RJ, Haleijah and Halana; (middle) Mhani; (r.) RJ

Sharmba lights up when she talks about her kids, and she clearly gets her strength from them. But it wasn’t always easy for her. For a while, she struggled with fear, depression and grief. Both children’s diagnoses hit her hard. Her two oldest daughters, Haleijah (19) and Halana (15), and RJ’s father, Raynell Sims Sr. got her through this tough time

“I’m telling you – I almost feel sad sometimes over the sadness I felt because Mhani was the same child she was a second before getting that diagnosis, and when RJ came into this world, and I laid eyes on him, I fell so deeply in love I felt so much guilt over having those thoughts. I get choked up. I am so grateful, I am so blessed and I feel God chose me because he knew I was up for the challenge.”

Mhani and RJ’s siblings

At FirstEnergy, we embrace diversity of thought and value individuality, and having an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong creates a better workplace; the same can be said for the home.

Becky Pieleck, Sharmba’s supervisor in Power Billing, noted that Sharmba reflects the meaning of inclusion.

“Sharmba’s continued determination and dedication to being a proud mother of all her kids shines through in this article,” said Becky. “She accepts her children unconditionally and provides them with special education needed to live life to the fullest.”

Sharmba advocates for special needs families, particularly those struggling with their emotions.

“My best advice is if anyone ever has a family member with special needs or must face that themselves, it’s okay to go through the grieving process. It’s okay to feel that sadness. It’s okay to go through emotions. Once you get through those emotions, focus on them and them alone …. I hope it gives people courage, hope and understanding that it is not a death sentence. It is not the end of the world. They are going to thrive. They are greatness. I’m hoping it brings awareness to Down syndrome and autism.”

To read the full article in Special Needs Living Akron/Canton, click here.