Ginia’s Story
I thought my life was headed in a new direction. I had absolutely no reservations as I packed up my belongings and hugged my family good-bye. Even as a few butterflies arose in my stomach as I kissed my sobbing mother, my excitement still far surpassed my nervousness. As a gazed out my window and watched the beautiful Ecuadorian scenery pass by, I kept repeating the same few words over and over in my head – “This is a new beginning.”
I was headed to Chicago, Illinois. I had a couple friends who had made the journey up north a while ago and I decided to stay with them until I could get me feet on the ground. My first day in this brand new city could only be described as a blur. Everything moved so fast. I must have gotten lost a billion times during those first few days. I could not read half the street signs and I had trouble communicating with almost everyone I encountered.
The moment I came back to my friend’s apartment, I flopped on my bed and burst into tears. This wasn’t how it was supposed to work – this was my chance to start a life for myself and instead of it being exciting, it was terrifying.
Although my idea about life in Chicago wasn’t how I had envisioned it, I still had hope that with a little more effort and perseverance, I could be happy with my new life. Unfortunately, as fate would have it, I had another big ‘life change’ coming my way. I found out I was two months pregnant. The news literally knocked the wind right out of me. I was a soon to be mother in a place that was completely different from my home, without my family, health care, or any sustainable source of income. I longed for my mother to pat my cheek and tell me it was going to be okay. Instead, I found myself curled up in a ball on the floor, in a strange place, feeling depressed, lonely and most of all, regret that I ever left home in the first place.
A few days after learning of my pregnancy, my friend who had been trying to boost my spirits brought me a flyer for Erie Family Health Center. Although I could not read it myself, she eagerly told me Erie offered prenatal services and classes. I thanked her, but said that I had nowhere near enough money to pay for these types of health services. Then she pointed to a line in the ad I still remember to this day – ‘Erie Family Health delivers patient healthcare – regardless of their ability to pay.’ I jumped to my feet and marched straight to Erie’s health center in Humboldt Park.
When I walked in through the doors of Erie Family Health Center, the receptionist looked me straight in the eye and said, “¿En que le puedo ayudar?” I wanted to cry. This time though, they were tears of joy. I knew what she had asked me!
From that moment, the feelings of relief and hope I received from that simple Spanish phrase never left. Erie offered me constant health care for both me and my baby. I met friends through the Centering Pregnancy Program and learned about a variety of different topics, such as parenting and breastfeeding. I was also appointed a case manager who provided me support and advice on finances and finding employment.
Today I have a happy, bubbly 6 month old little girl. I also have my own apartment and job as a preschool teacher. Since my daughter’s birth, my mother has joined me in Chicago. Although she is sad she was not able to be with me through my pregnancy, she is reassured in the fact that I was in wonderful hands. Erie held my hand when my mother could not and renewed the hope and excitement I had when I first left Ecuador.
I do not know what would have happened if I hadn’t found Erie – I would rather not think about it. Instead I think about all the wonderful staff and providers at Erie Family Health Center, who helped to lift my spirits – and pick my life – back up off the ground.