Unbreakable: One Mother's Journey

Imagine trying to manage your spouse’s PTSD along with your own health issues. Or caring for five children, two of whom need special attention. Or being in college so that you can provide a better life for your kids. Each of these challenges alone is daunting. Now imagine you are dealing with all of them – at the same time.

That’s the experience of Sarahi, who moved to the Washington, DC area with her husband and five children after his military service ended. But medical issues left him unable to work and left the family without an income.

When Sarahi found Easterseals, she was relieved to learn that her two youngest children, one of whom lives with autism, could enroll in an Easterseals Child Development Center as Little Warriors – our scholarships for the children of service members. That alleviated some of the family’s financial strain. Sadly, other stresses remained.

Sarahi’s husband started drinking and becoming physically abusive. Ultimately, the couple divorced and, as a result, their oldest daughter needed extra emotional support. Again, Easterseals was able to help through its Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic. Therapists there helped the daughter’s recovery, as did participating in Easterseals weekend Respite program. In fact, all five children continue to enjoy the weekend program, a much-needed relief for Sarahi.