“My parents didn’t want me when I was young.  From age 10, I was placed with various relatives, and eventually in a series of foster homes.  

Yvonne’s Story Part 2

“My parents didn’t want me when I was young.  From age 10, I was placed with various relatives, and eventually in a series of foster homes.  By the time I was 15, I had run away, but no one tried to find me.  At 16, I gave birth to my first child, who is now 7.  Her father did not see me through the pregnancy.  I was alone in the hospital when I had her.

There were two other important men in my life.  The father of my second child, now age 4, worked and helped support us.  He was a good guy, except when he drank.  Then he would sometimes get violent, and very jealous. Sometimes, he hit me.  Often he yelled at me and called me names.  I finally couldn’t take it anymore and managed to get to the domestic violence shelter. They helped me get my current apartment, which is Section 8 housing.  I only have to pay $8 a month for rent. Then I became pregnant with my third child.  Her father does give me some money from time to time, and he visits her.

I did finish high school and worked as a nurse’s aide, but I lost my job because I began having severe seizures.  I saw a doctor, and he prescribed medication, which helped.  About 6 months ago, I ran out of the medication.  I have no car and no money to take a cab to the doctor.  I don’t have anyone I can ask.  Since I’ve been off the medication, I am having seizures several times a day.  They really wipe me out, and so I sleep a lot.  I love my kids and I know I’m not taking care of them the way I should, but I don’t know how to get the help I need.”

1. What would be the 2 next steps that you would take to help Yvonne, or that you would help Yvonne to take herself?

2. What are 2 community resources that you would involve to support Yvonne and her family?

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