Storybook Archives - Marta's Story

Project: Implementation of Healthy Steps
Organization: Infant Welfare Society of Chicago
Chicago , IL
As told by a Healthy Steps Specialist

Marta S. has been a patient of IWS for about four years, and says, “I did not know before I came to IWS that there was help for my problems.” She entered HS (Healthy Steps) when she was pregnant with her third child. She had previously taken advantage of our on-site mental health counseling for her older son’s behavioral problems, and was relatively comfortable sharing her depression and uncertainty about this new, unplanned addition to the family. Individual therapy with the HS family support therapist was added to her prenatal visits.

After Catalina was born, the child was often seen at IWS for eating difficulties. She was sent from specialist to specialist, but no clear answer emerged. Feeding tubes and other interventions were attempted. Her very nervous mother sought support from the HS team. The therapist saw her both in the clinic and at her home to support her during her child’s health crisis and address the background issues of Marta’s own chronic depression, social isolation, and marital and parenting concerns. The HS specialist provided cultural translation between the mother and medical team, encouraging Marta to express her fears or frustrations directly to the doctors. The specialist advocated on the mother’s behalf, and helped the medical team understand her pessimism and self- doubt. Marta offers the following example.

“One time I was referred to the hospital for some tests. They told me that Catalina’s problem was my fault. They said I was forcing her to eat and I was making her sick. I felt very bad and talked to Berenice [Maldonado, HS Specialist]. She listened to my concerns and her words made me feel better. She reassured me that Catalina had a problem and that it was not my fault.”

During home visits, the specialist demonstrated ways to play with a baby who has a feeding tube, and encouraged Marta to allow her child to express her independence. Catalina’s progress was irregular. The HS staff and the medical team provided as much stability and consistency as possible, and Marta took advantage of that support. She called the team when she had good, poor, or uncertain news to report, at times requesting advice and guidance. She began to see her role as Catalina’s advocate and source of stability. Through these trials, Marta strove to be stronger for Catalina, her other children, and herself. She says,

“Before I came to IWS I was very shy. I am still a little shy but less than before. . . Also, Ellen [O’Donovan, HS Manager and family support therapist] and Karen [Waanders, a therapist in the Family Services Department], have helped me relate to my children. . . I learned to communicate with Catalina. When my oldest child was little I did not talk to him. I thought he could not understand me because he was a child. I did not even call him by his name. I learned that I have to talk to Catalina face to face and clearly. I can see that she understands what I say to her even if she cannot talk yet.

Catalina is now 18 months old. Around 11 months, she began eating regularly and taking her first steps. She now runs, climbs, and plays with her siblings. Her healthy diet consists of age-appropriate solid foods. Marta is smiling more, celebrating Catalina’s progress, and enjoying all of the changes in her children’s growth and development.

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