A young woman who was 17 years old entered our FRP Respite Care program with a large responsibility on her shoulders: she was pregnant with twins. She had a lot of struggles when she arrived, and it showed in the way she instigated fights, used harmful language, and refused food. Staff at Shiloh House were concerned for both her health and the health of the twins as she continued to lose weight and show aggression to anyone who expressed concern for her.
Shiloh House staff made it a point to create an environment that was safe and comfortable for this young woman. As she adjusted to the setting around her and recognized that she was cared for, she began eating more and expressed pride in her pregnancy. She laughed about her “pregnant waddle,” and advocated for her specific needs appropriately. The young woman became noticeably calmer (a feat for anyone who is pregnant with twins!) and stopped instigating fights using hurtful words.
As she worked through her past traumas with her therapist, she also bravely walked through very difficult situations throughout the duration of her stay at Shiloh House. Her parents had relinquished custody of her, and she had made the tough choice to put her twins up for adoption. This time, however, she wasn’t alone as she faced these hardships. She expressed her gratitude for the staff that took the time to help her make difficult decisions, and has shown incredible growth and healing since her time in the Respite Care program.
Currently, this brave young woman is living with a family in the community where she continues to receive other supports. Her story is now one of healing from past hurts, and hope for a bright future.