My husband and I met in the 3rd grade. We were friends all throughout elementary, middle, and high school. We did not begin to date until our senior year in high school. We continued to date long-distance while in college. Being young, immature, and ill-equipped with the necessary tools to sustain a healthy relationship, we decided to end our relationship. We needed to separate for a time so that we could mature mentally and spiritually. Through my own experience and with the training I have received, I am able to help couples with issues surrounding dating while long-distance.

During our time apart, we both had other relationships and one of mine led to the birth of our oldest son. I know what it is like to be a single mother trying to balance work, school, and motherhood. Tragedy brought us back together. After we reconnected, we maintained a friendship and it was through that friendship that we realized we still had feelings for one another. We began dating again long-distance. This experience coupled with my training affords me the ability to help couples get their friendship back.

We continued to date long-distance seeing each other probably every 3 months as broke college students. Eventually, our second son was born. As a result of bacterial meningitis, our son developed tremendous health issues and developmental delays. My husband wanted and needed to be with his family, but most importantly his son. The long-distance quickly came to an end. I wish I could tell you that was when the fairytale continued. The truth is, it is when tragedy struck even more. Our son was in and out of the hospital, I was working two jobs and going to school, we had our other son to care for, and there was little time to nurture or cultivate our union. Over the years we grew apart. There were communication, family, financial, health, intimacy issues, and more. How did we overcome? We improved our individual relationships with God, we had personal growth, we went to counseling, and we learned how to make time for each other. I became a relationship expert of my husband first, then I began my formal training.

One of the most painful experiences was watching our 5-month-old baby experience multiple, uncontrollable seizures back-to-back and be resuscitated TWICE! He was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, which if not treated promptly can lead to death. This was almost the story for my son. He survived two strokes and multiple seizures. Because of hydrocephalus (fluid collecting around the brain causing pressure), he had to have surgery to implant a shunt to drain the fluid away from his brain. His medical journey put a strain on my marriage as well as our individual lives over the years. He is now an adult and thriving. Our special needs journey began with meningitis which is why we are passionate about educating others about the importance of obtaining vaccination to protect against it.

My son’s health journey led me to becoming a liaison. I started my mission as a link to facilitate communication and cooperation between caregivers of children with special needs and medical professionals, professionals within the school system, and the community. The goal is to create a close working relationship between caregivers and various organizations. In this role, I resolve a variety of issues and complaints from parents concerned about the academic success of their children with disabilities. Serving as a liaison between parents and District personnel, I provide and interpret information about school procedures and instructional programs, coach parents to become effective supporters for their children, and facilitate trainings for all parties involved.