I need to send a big hug and thank you to all the bleeder moms who have supported me. I thank you for the endless support you continue to give me. But I especially need to send a special hug to the one mom who has been there to pick me up these last few weeks.
If I’m going to put myself out there and be totally honest, my inner self has been struggling a lot lately in pretty much all aspects of my life. Recently as I sat down scrolling through my phone, trying to decide who to call as I was sobbing over my marriage, my career, my parents’ health and the sudden attitude my children have towards me, I didn’t call a family member. For the first time ever, I called my bleeder buddies over a family member.
I’ve been blessed in the last few years, with the opportunity through my local member organization, the Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California, to go to some life changing events and meet some amazing people. Family camp, Education days, Female Factor events and other sub
groups of HFNC have offered me many occasions to meet others from the bleeding disorder community. I try to attend as many events as I can.
Through these events I was given the opportunity to learn, share, and strengthen bonds with the women from my bleeding disorder community. Over the last year, I’ve leaned on them a lot, and ironically not for issues necessarily having to do with our bleeding disorder, but for personal issues as well.
My friendships with many of these moms likely started over a “like” or a private message over Facebook, but they have become so much more. These friendships have become so meaningful whether it’s that person that I can’t wait to sit with at the next local event or an individual has become a shoulder I can cry on. Each and every one of my bleeder mom friendships have become somebody who passes no judgment and can relate to my struggles. And there’s always someone who’s there to pick me up on those days that I question if I’m going to lose my mind.
So I just want to say: thank you, thank you, thank you to all the ladies from this community I’ve leaned on this last year. I’m forever grateful to have you in my life and can’t wait to watch these relationships grow.
Kari lives with her husband, Ryan, and 8-year-old daughter, Scarlett, and 4-year-old son, Walker, in California.
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*Note: “Infusing Love: A Mom’s View,” is a blog collection of personal opinions and a representation of individuals experiences. While extensive efforts are made to ensure accuracy of the content, the blog entries do not represent HFA or its Board of Directors. The blog is also not intended to be construed as medical advice or the official opinion/position of HFA, its staff, or its Board of Directors. Readers are strongly encouraged to discuss their own medical treatment with their healthcare providers.
