Teen Recognition
Young women are often unprepared for the realities of life with a young child. SPP participants learn to set and achieve their own goals as well as to be the best parents they can possibly be to the child they already have.
Chandra, an SPP participant, wrote the following to her Home Visitor.
As I turned the handle of the cold bathroom door I felt so empty. The thought, "what have you done!" hit me so hard as I opened the package alone!!! As I slowly watched the results crawl across the screen... I screamed in horror. My heart sank as my face began to burn and my eyes were flooded with tears. Every dream rushing through my head began to quickly vanish. How could I tell my mom, she was going to hate me? Emotions of anger, frustration, disappointment, confusion, agony, and distress were suddenly evident in my voice. I remember pounding the numbers into my key pad as fast as I could. I had difficulty trying to suppress the knot in my throat when I began to explain to him what had happened. I didn't have to see his face to feel the seriousness and disappointment I knew I would encounter much more of on this journey. We drove home as we contemplated who to tell and how.
With swollen eyes and sore throats [standing] at the end of his driveway, I began to tell all. His mom was shocked but she encouraged us. Ashamed and terrified we called my mom and asked her to come over. I couldn't watch her cry so I sat inside the house holding the door shut to drown out the rage. I heard the words "what?" He made me open the door as she stared at me and screamed... you... what were you thinking... do you think he's really going to stay around? I should have left it as a rhetorical question but in innocence I answered "YES."
The next day we took the humiliating drive to the health department. As I signed up for all of the things I once heard others complain about and even joke about... I was going to be a welfare mom and dependent on WIC. I knew my friends would eventually shy off and find better things to do. So I asked what I could do to become involved. I explained that a friend had told me that she shared her experiences with others around the community. I told her sign me up!!! What I found was a group of girls trying to do the best for themselves and their born or unborn child after their life had been flipped and torn into tiny pieces. They were all struggling to put it back together with and without support. Each one had a different story... some worse than others!!! The only thing the same was a place to go each week and share and learn. The only place where others understood and people cared. You weren't the stereotypical dirty or slutty teen moms others pronounced you to be at school or in public. You know, the ones you always see and hear about. You weren't stared down or talked about in a group but built up and inspired. I was given the opportunity to do better with the help of my family, my group, and my leader. After every horrible day and hurtful remark, someone was there to turn to and help you brush it off. They would stand you back up, turn you around, and send you back out because you hadn't quite struck out, they knew you could keep swinging.
To my group and my leaders, I want to thank you for the knowledge you have entrusted in me and all of us. The support you give time and time again; the encouragement to reach higher and strength to stand taller. You saw the best there was in me!!! I have learned that my child and decision were not a mistake, but yet a surprise, something you didn't know you wanted until you got it. I am proudly going to complete my senior year at the top of my class. Good luck to the next group as you find people to confide in and dedication from the staff around you. Thank You!!!
