My Nonprofit Reviews

My name is Layla F. I would like to thank God, my mother and all the agencies involved for helping me get back on my feet and on the right track. To getting my life back together. Three and a half years ago I lost my kids and myself to methamphetamine addiction. I had been battling off and on since I was sixteen. Every couple of years I would relapse. I had two children and was pregnant again during the worst of my addiction. I became the person I always looked down on. Doing drugs while pregnant, neglecting my kids of attention and sanity. I didn't care about anything except using. But somewhere inside, the real me was telling me that I knew it was wrong. And I prayed every night for God to help me quit. However I wasn't strong enough to stop on my own.
God works in mysterious ways. I knew I was pregnant but I was scared to see the doctor. I kept trying to get clean on my own. Finally at seven and a half months I went to my first appointment. Three weeks later, a couple of days before my sonogram was scheduled, I went into labor. I didn't even know I was having twins. I gave birth to Felix and then the doctor said there was another baby. I couldn't believe it. One hour later Freddy was delivered via c-section. The next day CPS paid me a visit at the hospital. All of my kids were removed from my custody. I was angry and hurt. I couldn't comprehend until later the danger I was putting them in.
I did whatever I was told to get them back. I enrolled in SEABHS drug counseling and parenting classes and therapy. I went to NA once a week. I was gave urine samples for analysis at least three times a week, I was always clean. Child & Family Resources did weekly visits and were very emotionally supportive. The Blake Foundation sent therapists and nurses. Now all my kids are in their Headstart Daycare Center, La Palamito, the best in town. They were all aware of what I had done and they still treated me like a real person with feelings. Their true care and concern over my well being as well as their support helped me become a more responsible person and a better mother then I had ever been. They made me feel like I could transition back into the real world and be a respectful person. They taught me the importance and how to establish a routine and structured lifestyle. I learned a lot.
By becoming an independent woman, working and supporting my family and taking care of my kids I realized I could rely on myself. Other lessons were harder learned later when I left the abusive relationship I had sustained from my kids father for the past nine years. This self reliance made me see my life for what it was so I could change it and to be a better parent. Things used to seem hopeless, but me changing made a difference made a difference.
I've seen so many families destroyed and children devastated because of the drugs and the neglect it entails. I didn't want to be another statistic in this frighteningly large epidemic. I have to take care of my family and myself, that is my job. I am saddened to see much of this help depleted by budget cuts. For much more is needed than hope. God bless all the families still struggling.

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