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Merging Families - A Shift in Culture (Part 1)
When I was around 5 years old, members of my older brother's biological family came into our lives. Jake had been my adopted brother since birth, and it was scary to think about his grandmother's right to potentially disrupt our family. Developmentally speaking I was still learning and expanding upon my relationship and motor skills. I was, of course, much too young to comprehend the stress in these interactions. Thankfully, the end result was the merging of our families. -
Merging Families - A Shift in Culture (Part 2)
On a more micro level, I gained a new grandmother and grandfather, who were loving and supportive. However, my macrosystem was also seriously impacted by their presence in my life. Jake is Native American, and his grandmother introduced us to the Cherokee culture. New foods, activities, events, and relationships were introduced to my family in light of this new culture we were being exposed to and embracing. -
September 11 (Part 1)
I was 11 years old when the United States was attacked. Watching the World Trade Centers billowing smoke and then tumble to the ground is a sight that I cannot forget, even at such a young age. I was unable to comprehend the depth of the event, and the changes that would follow in American life. My developmental focus at this time was on school, writing, reading, improving my athletic abilities and finding my place in various peer groups. -
September 11 (Part 2)
9/11 largely impacted my meso, exo, and macrosystems. America was changed after that day, we had experienced an act of terror on our own land for the first time in decades, and the country was shaken. Transportation systems, schools, government and life in general changed after that day. My microsystem was also impacted by this event, however. My cousins joined the Armed Forces to "go to war" and my family was further steeped in fear for their safety. -
Jake's Death (Part 1)
On September 6th, 2014 my older brother died unexpectedly in a drug-related incident. I was 24 years old, newly married, and trying to adapt to full independence away from my parents and form a healthy relationship with my husband. His death was like a shotgun blow to the microsystems in my life. My family was forever changed. The anger, guilt, devastating sadness, and emptiness that we experienced in the wake of his death still linger to this day. -
Jake's Death (Part 2)
Jake’s death was also impactful regarding my meso systems. Relationships with family and friends changed significantly as I struggled to cope with and comprehend the loss, and some of those relationships have never fully recovered. Additionally, my desk job at a technology company now seemed hollow, and I longed for something that would fulfill me in some sense. I wanted to make his death matter, and I began to search for jobs that would allow me to do that. -
Red Mountain Behavioral Health Services (Part 1)
A short 10 weeks after my brother’s death, I found myself interviewing at a behavioral health agency that serves Native Americans. I was, to my astonishment, immediately hired and began working with children and eventually families from the Gila River Indian Community. My work environment and peer groups, important meso and microsystems, were immediately changed in this transition. I loved my new job and the friendships that I was forming with my amazing, social worker, coworkers. -
Red Mountain Behavioral Health Services (Part 2)
Eventually this work led to my desire to pursue a Master of Social Work, an additional change to my mesosystem. I found meaning and purpose in helping this community and I continue to stand in awe of the strength and resilience of the clients I serve. My passions, my interests, and my relationships transformed when I started working at RMBHS.
