tinypatientbigbattles

[tinypatientbigbattles]

How I’m Fighting for My Family After a Year of Chaos

Life doesn’t always go the way we plan. Last year, my family hit rock bottom. On August 1, 2023, my husband came home from prison. By September, we’d lost our RV and were living in a tent—my 17-year-old daughter, my husband, me, and our pets—moving between state parks and national forests. Then, I got sick with mono and couldn’t keep working.

Things got worse before they got better. We stayed briefly with a family member, then in a hotel. By the grace of God, on the last night we could afford a room, my daughter’s disability claim was approved, and we finally moved into an apartment.

But life had more twists in store.

In January, I got pregnant. That same week, I tested positive for the flu, COVID, and mono—again. My husband’s behavior started changing, and the domestic violence (DV) started soon after, including physical, emotional, and substances being introduced into my food and drinks. Terrified for my baby’s safety, I went to the hospital multiple times.

In March, my husband went back to jail, and I decided enough was enough. I left. Over the next few months, I lived in DV shelters, started trauma therapy, and slowly began rebuilding my life—one day at a time.

When my son was born, I thought the hardest part was behind me. But because of two hospital visits during my pregnancy, CPS got involved. Despite my baby testing negative for all substances and my clean screenings since March, I’ve had to fight to prove myself as a mother.

Now, I’m facing a new battle.

My son is medically complex. Every day, I’m fighting for his healthcare and advocating for his needs, all while working to prevent CPS from classifying him as medically fragile—a designation that could result in him being removed from my care. Roughly 80% of medically fragile cases end with children being removed from their homes.

I won’t let that happen.

Here’s what I’ve learned along the way:

1. Advocate relentlessly. No one will fight harder for your child than you.

2. Lean on community resources. Shelters, therapy, daycare programs, and workforce assistance have been lifelines for me.

3. Hold on to hope. Even when it feels like the odds are stacked against you, there’s always a way forward.

This journey has been the hardest thing I’ve ever faced, but I’m not giving up. My son deserves the best care and a stable, loving home, and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure he gets it.

If you’re reading this and struggling, you’re not alone. Whether you’re facing healthcare battles, DV, or CPS involvement, there’s hope. Keep fighting.

If my story resonates with you, please share it. You never know who might need to hear they’re not alone in their fight.

Let’s remind each other: no matter how dark it gets, there’s always light ahead. 💛

With love and grace,

~Josiah’s Mom

#AdvocateForChange

#ResilientMoms

#MedicallyComplexWarrior

#DVSurvivor

#CPSAdvocacy

#MotherhoodJourney

#FightingForMySon

#HealthcareStruggles

#HopeAndStrength

#NeverGiveUp #JosiahsJourney

[tinypatientbigbattles]

Our Journey, Our Fight, Our Hope

Hello, and welcome to this space where I share my family’s journey—one filled with challenges, perseverance, and hope.

I’m a parent navigating the complex realities of my son’s medical needs and the struggles with healthcare and the child protective services (CPS) system in the U.S. Our story isn’t always easy to tell, but it’s one I feel compelled to share.

Why I’m Sharing

• To Raise Awareness: Too many families face uphill battles with healthcare and CPS, often without the resources or support they need.

• To Connect: If you’re struggling too, you’re not alone. Let’s build a community where we can lean on each other.

• To Advocate for Change: It’s time we shine a light on the systemic issues that make these journeys harder than they need to be.

What You Can Expect Here

• Honest accounts of our experiences navigating medical care and advocating for my son.

• Updates on our journey, including both the challenges and the victories.

• Insights into the healthcare and CPS systems, from a parent’s perspective.

• Hope, resilience, and the determination to keep fighting for better outcomes—not just for us, but for others too.

How You Can Help

• Follow and Share: Spread the word about this space to anyone who might relate or want to help.

• Engage: Your comments, shares, and likes remind us we’re not alone.

• Advocate: Use your voice to push for a better, more compassionate system for families like ours.

Together, we can create change—whether by sharing our stories, supporting one another, or advocating for reforms. Thank you for being here, for reading, and for caring.

Let’s start this journey together.

With gratitude and hope,

~Josiah’s Mom