Healing Mama with her hands (joyously) FULL!
Donation protected
A few donations have come from strangers so wanted to update with a little more background info, in addition to the original story below. ✨
Some have asked if they could Venmo instead— yes, thank you! @heydanakay
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Global Community Builder / social entrepreneur carjacked on 12/11/2021 after dropping off first catering order to a local STL attraction. (PEOPLES Popcorn had not officially opened yet. The carjacking was a defining/pivotal moment in my human experience. PEOPLES will still be opening, when it’s meant to open. The concept has since expanded! Stay tuned!)
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Original story on GoFundMe below, this was launched on my birthday 3/28/2022 — have only shared this on IG and LinkedIn because I haven’t had access to FB since the carjacking I referenced above.
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It’s just after 11:00 o’clock — in less than an hour I’ll be another year older.
As I embark into my 33rd year of human life here on planet Earth, I can’t help but widen my eyes, wobble my noggin, and smile at what a wild ride it has been— particularly the last couple of years, as most would agree — pandemic and separate personal circumstances aside.
I am not quite sure what I ever envisioned to be “doing in life” at this time, but it’s safe to say that the idea of being a single Mama of 8 month old twins, bunking in her best friends basement, laying on a heating pad, as my body continues to heal was not my little girl fairytale, dream as a teen, or vision as 22 year old taking the leap into self-employment.
2 years ago all of my freelance income came to a halt when Covid hit. I joined my partner (at the time) Justin’s security company, which was a high-stress position to say the least.
As I felt my mental health begin to suffer I sought out something positive to add to my week and began visiting a horse farm in Millstadt, Illinois on Wednesday mornings.
On September 2, 2020 I did something I’ll never do again, which was, ignore that little voice, which in this case, had advised me not to ride. Sweet Layla was already saddled up and I had a trainer, Nelly, there to continue teaching me how to ride English, (I have only ever ridden Western).
Anyways, I ignored the voice, got in the saddle, and maybe a minute or so later after Layla suffered the pain of a pinched nerve, I was bucked UP & OVER, 10ish feet — in the shape of the Gateway Arch. How fitting for a hometown STL gal like me, Haha!
Walking up to Layla that morning was that last time I walked for months — emergency surgery was performed by Dr. Anna Miller at BJC. Thanks to her expertise and modern day advancements, I avoided being put into a FULL body cast for 12 months (THANK GOODNESS!) which would have been the case had my particular break happened 10+ years ago.
It was anticipated that I would be back up and walking by the New Year, if I really prioritized my healing and stuck with rehabilitation / physical therapy. (Shout out to Athletico!)
Thanks to expert surgeons, quality physical therapy, and my personal strength / willpower, I was back on my feet by Thanksgiving and no longer 100% in need of a wheelchair.
On the second weekend of December 2020, we very unexpectedly conceived, finding out on Christmas Eve-Eve after experiencing out-of-my-norm heartburn.
In early January, after being constipated for 10 days regardless of drinking an exorbitant amount of water, Metamucil, and fun at home enema kits — my primary doctor sent me to the Emergency Room to take care of my poop probs.
As I sat there, in a wheelchair, by myself, at MoBap ER, in what felt like Covid-ville, trying to not contract the virus, while processing that per multiple tests I am pregnant — I thought to myself, “Is this real life?”
Yes, yes it was.
Little did I know then, that 9 hours later, once being seen there in the ER, and after a couple of different super silent ultrasounds that the woman would say,
“So have you had a scan with your OB yet?”
—No, I don’t see her for another few weeks.
”Okay, because, there’s two!”
IS THIS REAL LIFE?!
Yes, yes it was.
The next 7 months were, um, A LOT.
High risk pregnancy, multiples/twins, on a pelvis that was still supposed to be healing, during a pandemic, and as an epileptic woman.
Just after 11am on 7/11/2021 — I was wheeled to the OR where a team awaited to conduct a C-section and safely bring our precious miracle babies, Sedona Joy and Cadon David, to this side of the world.
Best day of my life — knowing they made it here safely, were big for their gestational age and super strong / healthy even though they arrived at 32 weeks.
The next 4-5 weeks were spent in NICU with the incredible professional staff at MoBap. Due to my personal circumstances and driving considerations (Epilepsy) they allowed me to stay on site with my babies, which empowered us to begin bonding and breastfeeding.
When I wasn’t pumping or learning to breastfeed, I was conducting business for the security company, or in other ways attempting to keep our heads above water.
4 weeks later, Sedona Joy graduated from her time in NICU, a week after that, Cadon David did, too.
So many emotions!
Unfortunately, in mid-August, and on the second day of us all being home, their Father suffered a mild heart attack and left our home by ambulance.
The next few months were understandably a blur. Newborn life, with not one, but two — during a pandemic, as small business owners, struggling with cash flow.
We hosted Thanksgiving, as we had loved doing — this year thanks to spending MANY hours requesting / applying for food stamps with The State of Missouri.
Then in mid-December, Saturday 12/11/2021, ironically the one year anniversary from unexpectedly conceiving them… we were unexpectedly carjacked. THANK GOD our babies were NOT in the vehicle.
Anyways, the carjacking changed everything.
Their Father, my partner, for the last 4 years struggles with PTSD, among other mental health stuff. As if the car jacking itself wasn’t traumatizing enough — it was ultimately the catalyst for the end of our relationship and engagement. This was not as a direct result of this incident, but the toxicity that had compounded over time.
THE POSITIVE:
Babies are very healthy and adorably happy
I haven’t felt spiritually, mentally, emotionally better in my entire life
I am physically healing and will continue to be, ultimately resulting in being in the strongest and best physical shape of my life
Everything is lining up professionally!
I know that obstacles aside and all which is ahead, that I have never been in a better position to rebuild with intention, creating a dream life for my littles and I.
THE NEED:
Support for the next 30-60 days — their Father and I attempted to cohabitate in separate parts of our home which we own for the last few months. That ended, abruptly, and again traumatically on 3/20/2022.
LOOKING FORWARD:
For months I have been working towards having my own financial independence again — currently being considered for 2 different positions, each being lucrative opportunities.
I have an amazing apartment lined up, in a very secure building, that the babies and I will not only feel safe in, but will be welcomed in open arms by the building’s residents / community.
I have been meditating everyday, multiple times per day, since birthing the babies… our future is BRIGHT! I see it, I feel it, I KNOW IT.
WHAT NOW?
Well, thanks to my best friend and her sweet husband, the babies and I are comfortable in their spacious basement, rent/mortgage free for the next month.
I am hoping to source a few thousand dollars that I’ll use intentionally in order to not only provide the necessities for my babies and I this month, but also continue to follow the signs which will set us up to thrive! ✨
Winter is over, season has changed, welcoming Spring. Best is yet to come! Beyond blessed. Thank you for taking a few minutes to read and/or consider giving!
Promise I’ll make it count — not just for myself and my babies, but for women, children, and PEOPLE around the globe.
Some have said they prefer VENMO: @heydanakay
Organizer
Dana Kay Goddard
Organizer
St Louis, MO