Talk 1-on-1 with a Peer Specialist About Widowhood

Grounded, Compassionate Peer Support and Guidance.

Hi! I am 63 years old—a survivor, an overcomer, and a woman of faith who has lived through diagnoses: chronic health challenges, PTSD, grief, anxiety, and trauma. I have survived mental and physical trauma, including religious trauma, dysfunctional family dynamics, narcissistic behaviors, gaslighting, abandonment, rejection, and power and control. As the youngest of five children, these experiences affected how I saw myself for many years. Through separation, healing, faith, and self-discovery, I began to find freedom. I discovered my identity, embraced my positive qualities, and learned that I am more than what happened to me. Throughout my life, I have experienced tremendous grief. I lost a sibling in 1989, my father in 2015, my mother in 2022, and other loved ones along the way. Each loss became part of my journey and helped shape the woman I am today. I am the mother of one son and grandmother of three beautiful grandchildren. My family has faced challenges, including ADHD, PTSD, and childhood seizures, yet I also see incredible gifts, talents, strength, and potential beyond measure. From 2014 until June 2022, I was my mother's caregiver as she lived with dementia. It was one of the hardest challenges of my life. It brought me to my knees and taught me to move beyond codependency and place my complete trust in God. It taught me humility and helped me discover purpose in my pain. Although my mother had four living children, I often felt I stood alone. Others may have considered me the "black sheep," but I came to believe God had chosen and set me apart for something greater. My mother was one of my greatest influences and mentors, and I loved her dearly. My son and I are also walking through our healing journey—recovering from childhood trauma, rebuilding our relationship, and seeking spiritual healing. After 13 years of estrangement, we are reconnecting and learning how to bond again. I'm not where I want to be, but thank God, I'm not where I used to be. In 2012, substance use (prescribed medication) and an eating disorder became ways of trying to escape a painful world. But God said, "You shall live and not die." And I am still here—to use my lived experience to encourage others and share how I survived, healed, and overcame. I am an expressive writer. Poetry and spoken words allow me to release the bad, the good, and the ugly. Paper does not judge. Writing advocates and gives a voice to the voiceless. The pen 🖊 spills what our lips cannot speak—our truth. My motto is: "Knowledge Brings Clarity, and Clarity Brings Power." Professionally, I am a faith-based Certified Peer Specialist (CRSS), Dementia Facilitator, and Resource Specialist supporting women and children impacted by domestic violence. My lived experiences have shaped my passion for advocacy, education, peer support, and helping others find resources, hope, and a voice. Through everything I have endured, I have learned that every attack does not deserve a reaction. I have learned when to be silent, when to speak, and—most importantly—when to walk away. In 2025, I became a curse breaker. Through the wisdom of God and clarity received from a deeply personal experience with Him, I began breaking down layers of generational pain and trauma. My healing became about more than me. It became about what I would pass down to my son, grandchildren, and generations to come. Instead of passing down the pain of the past, I choose to pass down the greatest gift God has given us—the gift of LOVE and how to acknowledge a LIE vs the TRUTH. My journey is about healing the inner child, breaking down every layer, and gaining clarity for mental health wellness, spiritual healing, and freedom. I am breaking what no longer needs to continue. I am healing what was once left wounded. I am replacing generational pain with generational love. My global brand is Rebirth4Love—representing survival, transformation, healing, purpose, faith, generational change, unconditional love, and the power to begin again. My message to the world is: OUR PAST DOES NOT DEFINE OUR DESTINY! There is life after trauma, purpose after pain, love after rejection, freedom after breaking generational cycles, and always an opportunity for rebirth.

Real conversation for the ever-growing human experience

CPS-MH ready to help with my lived experiences

I was called to help others because I realize firsthand, the importance of a Supportive Community and Network through the healing and recovery process is essential to complete wellness.

Feel seen heard and supported through compassion and a safe space. Through substance use/other addictive behaviors and struggling and trying to cope with mental health diagnoses - anxiety, depression, ptsd, bi-polar and BPD, I have found my purpose in creating positive, trusting, non-judgmental and supportive spaces with those seeking connection as they navigate addictive behaviors, mental health disorders, difficult emotions, trauma, and life challenges. My approach centers on empowering others and providing hope. My own journey is lived experience with childhood trauma, ptsd, mental health conditions, substance use, domestic violence and toxic relationships. My joy is being a mom to two boys, three cats and my bird. I love the city but I am a country girl by heart delighted to have lived next to a farm growing up. This shaped my love of all animals. Musical theater and music are my passion. I am a Haunt actor at Legends of Fear and play a different witch every year. Definitely typecast lol. My dream job is to be a Panda Nanny. I am an introvert who wears a mask as an extrovert. It’s very hard for me to escape childhood trauma and to trust but I am learning and healing one minute at a time.

I’m a 39 year old who works in a 3.5 setting I also have worked in the medical field for 19 years My story is rooted in helping others. After working in healthcare for many years and witnessing how addiction, mental health challenges, and incarceration can affect families, I chose to turn those experiences into purpose. I became a certified peer support professional so I could help others feel heard, supported, and reminded that they are not alone.

Peer Recovery Specialist/Coach & full-time group facilitator