Meet new mum, Sharen

5 December 2020
Mum Sharen with Baby Jackson, “We’re excited to be working with CatholicCare on the Bringing Baby Home program. We couldn’t have done it without their support.” Image: Adrian Veale Photography.

 

Parramatta Catholic Foundation supports works of Faith, Hope and Charity across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Our current appeal seeks to build support for the 2020 Pregnancy Support Award-winning CatholicCare Project Elizabeth pregnancy support service. If you can help, please click here to donate today.

“My name is Sharen, and I have participated in parenting and family programs provided by CatholicCare.

Sharen and her miracle baby, Jackson, now six months old. Image: Adrian Veale Photography.

I met my partner Dale at my brother-in-law’s house in January six years ago. I can say it’s been the best six years I’ve ever been with anyone. In the past, I was significantly affected by violent relationships which caused involvement with family and community services.

Dale has treated me really well, and my daughter Shauna too.

During our six years together, we have participated in several family support and positive parenting programs with Frances Pegrum from CatholicCare. We also decided to try and have a child together. It took five years for me to fall pregnant and we had almost given up hope.

So, when I found out I was pregnant, I was like, “No, this isn’t right, it can’t be!” We were both shocked.

We contacted CatholicCare again as soon as we found out we were having a baby. We’ve been supported by Natalie Jacobi, from Project Elizabeth, their pregnancy support service.

Because of my age, the pregnancy didn’t go very well. The doctors said I was a high-risk pregnancy, and because of my age, things can go wrong.

I went into labour six weeks early and I was in hospital for around eight days with an infection, and then they rushed me down for a caesarean. And that didn’t go well.

As a result, our baby Jackson had to stay in hospital in intensive care for weeks.

Jackson was born six weeks premature and spent several weeks in intensive care. CatholicCare has supported Sharen, Dale and Jackson before and after his birth. Image: Supplied

It’s been a long time since I had a baby, but it’s going really well. It’s all new still. I said to everyone, if I was maybe 10 or 15 years younger, I wouldn’t be as tired. But the age I am now, it does get very tiring, but I get through it.

I have support from my mum, Dale’s mum and dad, and Shauna, my daughter, adores Jackson.

Sharen (right) and Dale (left) are looking forward to their first Christmas with Jackson. Image: Adrian Veale Photography.

Natalie from CatholicCare also supports us in a big way. I’ve never had a support worker that wonderful. I’ve normally got to get to know the person for a very long time before I can open up. But with Natalie, straight away, I could just open up with her. I don’t know what it was, it was just instant.

I can talk to her about anything. Anything that we need help with, she’ll help us.

I’m always happy to see Natalie. I adore her, I really do.

CatholicCare are very, very helpful. They’re very kind people. We’re really excited to be doing the Bringing Baby Home program with Natalie.

It’s going to be our first Christmas with a new baby.

We couldn’t have done it without the support of CatholicCare.”

 

You can give help and hope, to people like Sharen and Dale and, and help vulnerable families to build better relationships and give their children a positive start in life.

This Christmas, let us unite in demonstrating God’s unconditional love and keep families together, by giving generously to the Bishop’s Christmas Appeal

To give a gift of help and hope, visit yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal

 

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