Profiles

Audrey’s middle child was removed from her custody as a result of this abuse and her drug-involved lifestyle. Subsequently, Audrey gave up her parental rights for both of her older daughters; she placed her older daughter voluntarily with family. Audrey’s younger daughter was removed from her care by DHS and legally adopted by family after Audrey ran away from her residential alcohol and drug treatment program. Audrey continued her downward spiral, selling drugs and using her home to prostitute out friends to support her drug habit.

I met Audrey when she was living at the Talent Work Center; she was finishing her most recent ‘meth related’ incarceration. Audrey was only 19 days along in her pregnancy, with a clean date of 1-14-08. Audrey used meth early in her pregnancy but quit immediately after finding out she was pregnant, at about 6 weeks gestation. Audrey was emotionally disconnected from her pregnancy, and uncertain about being able to raise her child. However, she was determined to do everything in her power to remain clean and sober for herself and her child. Audrey stated that she was’ sick and tired of being sick and tired’ and knew that if she did not make a change she would end up dead.

Audrey started her alcohol and drug treatment, first in outpatient services, followed by inpatient treatment. Audrey continued to see me weekly for Healthy Babies appointments, and she was never absent or late without calling. I witnessed her personal transformation, as she began to connect with her pregnancy, reach out to her support network and immerse herself in her treatment and recovery. Audrey began to live the life of recovery; she attended NA meetings every day and surrounded herself with other people in recovery.

Following her delivery, I helped support her in the early hours post partum with breastfeeding, attachment and bonding with her daughter. When DHS arrived at the hospital, they were greeted by the huge support network that Audrey had built for herself. DHS was very skeptical because of Audrey’s history but gave her a chance to parent her daughter because of all of the hard work that she was doing in her treatment. Because of Audrey’s progress and growth, baby “Kara” was never removed from her care. It has been a continued struggle for Audrey to fight to keep her daughter; DHS scheduled many Family Decision Meetings to create safety plans. Audrey also faced some sabotage from her family to have Kara removed from her care. Audrey was shocked to find that she had a ‘box’ with DHS and not just a file. This helped her to realize how hard she was going to have to work to prove that she had changed. Audrey enrolled in Family Court to ensure her success maintaining a clean and sober life for herself and Kara. She continues to create and utilize the support that she recognizes as essential for her survival, health and well being.

Today, Audrey has over 16 months of sobriety. When I look at her she is not the same woman that I met over 13 months ago. Audrey has a light within her that radiates outward; she indicates that for the first time in her life she can look in the mirror and like what she sees reflecting back at her. Her story has been an inspiration to other women in recovery. Audrey is still exclusively breastfeeding her daughter and is a loving, protective and confident mother. Kara is beautiful and happy baby; she has an intense bond with her mother. Audrey has also taken on the responsibility as a caregiver for her ailing grandmother. Audrey wants to give back to the family that has so long supported her on her path to recovery. Her strength and determination are an inspiration for all women on their journey of recovery.

Respectfully Submitted by Amy Hendrickson, Healthy Babies Outreach Worker

For more information about the programs at OnTrack, Inc. please visit our website at www.ontrackrecovery.org