Finding Normalcy in the Midst of Difficult Circumstances: How Mommies In Need Helped Me Grow and Find Strength

Written by Mommies In Need’s Communications Intern, Esra Ghanim

When I first started my second semester of college, I thought it was going to be the best time of my life. I had an incredible congressional internship opportunity lined up for the summer in Washington DC, I was finally starting to adjust to college life as a freshman, and I was feeling confident about my future. Later in the semester, my dad was diagnosed with brain cancer, which had a significant effect on my outlook for the rest of the semester. If you have ever been in a similar situation, you might understand me when I say my father’s diagnosis halted my life.

I dropped every extra-curricular activity I was involved in, I decided not to move forward with my summer internship opportunity, and I limited every social aspect of my life. At the time, it felt like putting my life on hold was the only rational way to take the news of my dad’s diagnosis. It wasn’t until I came across Mommies In Need that I realized that a diagnosis within your family does not equate to a need to put your life on hold. 

The next semester, I came across Mommies In Need at an internship fair at my school. The staff representing Mommies In Need had welcoming smiles on their faces, allowing me to feel comfortable instantly. That day I decided to apply for their internship program, and a few weeks later I was hired as a communications intern for the 2022-23 academic year. While Mommies In Need serves to break the barrier between healthcare and childcare, it also, indirectly, helps individuals like myself realize that a diagnosis within your family does not have to derail your life. It's possible to find moments of normalcy even in the midst of difficult circumstances. 

I’m not at Annie's Place myself, but I've seen firsthand the impact that Mommies In Need has on families who are dealing with illnesses. In some ways, many children at Annie’s Place are facing a situation similar to mine. A diagnosis of a parent or guardian can be worrisome and can make individuals feel like they’re losing stability in their life. Mommies In Need allows both parents and children at Annie’s Place to see that there are communities such as Mommies In Need that are ready to help you in times of need 

Mommies In Need has not only provided me with an exceptional internship opportunity, which has helped me become a stronger, more compassionate person, but it has also allowed me to identify those moments of normalcy in my life, despite the hardship that I am facing, and for that, I am eternally grateful.