Unexpected Blessings
Because of you, Shauna did not give up.
Life with two young children and a surprise pregnancy was overwhelming all by itself.
“I have so much more hope than I came in with.”
When learning that Shauna was going to be a mom for a third time, the news hit her with tears instead of excitement. Her doctor saw the anxiety in her reaction and knew she would need wrap-around support going forward. But with an already stretched family budget, how would she afford the help she needed. But you stepped in and filled that gap for Shauna. Because of you, support was ready and waiting at Blackwater Counseling, and what perfect timing because all of this happened before the pandemic even began. Now, this mom of three is thriving – she got the support she needed, so she could take care of her family with three young children even during the most challenging of times.
Having no family support system in place, Shauna and her husband stretched themselves as thin as possible. They were exhausted. Caring for two small children under six, working full time, and keeping food on the table left very little time for self-care. And at the start of 2020 Shauna learned they would be adding another mouth to feed to their family. Her doctor insisted she needed to seek counseling for anxiety and depression, but there was not much wiggle room in her budget to invest in herself that way.
Because of you scholarship slots for counseling and support at Blackwater Counseling were an option for Shauna. This was a blessing she never expected would exist. Within weeks, Shauna started working with a counselor and quickly realized it was opening a door to see through her anxiety and feel the support of someone walking the journey with her. Her Blackwater Counselor was also able to refer Shauna to the Healthy Families program giving her more parenting support and access to family resources.
She was just starting to manage her symptoms when the global pandemic arrived and suddenly all in-person support was taken away. Now isolated at home, struggling to care for her family, trying to continue working, and focus on prenatal care – it was all again too much.
“My therapist kept saying ‘You can create space for yourself, you can create boundaries for yourself, you can take care of yourself – I am right here to walk the journey with you.’ If she had not been so encouraging, I’m not sure I would have made it through those long days. I just kept her voice and her message playing over and over in my head.”
Your gift made it possible to find a way to connect even in the midst of a pandemic – telehealth counseling was up and running getting Shauna connected with her counselor within days. Your support was a lifeline during some of the darkest days.
Regular appointments continued virtually with her therapist and her Healthy Families caseworker. When possible she was even able to meet them outdoors – time for her young children to play while she connected to help. By the end of the summer, her symptoms for anxiety and depression were visibly decreasing.
A few months later, her baby boy Nicholas arrived – and officially completed her family. “When I met him I knew that I was so grateful he was mine, he’s part of my story pushing me to get the help I needed, and he’s the next right piece in our family”, shared Shauna. “Blessings come in the most unpredictable ways and at the most unpredictable times.”
Thanks to you, Shauna had support to get the best care for her own mental health and support her through motherhood. Your gift ensures she had the support she needed to take care of herself and her family. Because of you, she is not alone at this vulnerable time. Right now there are so many women who need to find this same kind of life-changing support. Because of you, a lifeline of support and resources is ready to help a mom in need.
Learn more about Blackwater Counseling at HumanKind by visiting here.