Arianna Finds Help After Her Mother's Suicide
Arianna was just 5 years old the night her mother took so many pills that she collapsed on top of her young daughter.
Amazingly, Arianna was able to free herself and call 9-1-1 for help. Soon her home was filled with police and paramedics. Sirens blared and lights flashed.
And though emergency workers saved her mother's life that night, the postpartum depression that consumed Arianna's mother after her little brother Marky was born was too great. Claiming she was running to the store one evening, Arianna's mother got in her car and drove to a bridge in Riverview, where she took her life.
The trauma Arianna experienced was severe. She had nightmares, separation anxiety, even stomach aches. Whenever she talked about her mom, she sobbed.
Her grandmother, Mary Ann, was able to connect with Kimberly Pacheco, a therapist at
Corbett Trauma Center. Kimberly realized Arianna and her grandmother could benefit from Stepped Care, a USF trauma study at the Crisis Center where caregivers are actively involved in helping children recover from trauma.
Kimberly and Mary Ann soon realized that while Arianna was traumatized by her mother's sudden death, her biggest struggles were tied to that first evening when her mom attempted suicide by overdose. Arianna had vivid memories of sirens, police, flashing lights, and paramedics.
Kimberly worked with
TransCare Medical Transportation to help Arianna address the things that were triggering the bad memories. Morgan Smith, a TransCare Supervisor, gave Arianna a tour of an ambulance. At her own pace, Arianna sat on a gurney, tried on an oxygen mask, turned on the lights and siren, and spoke through the microphone.
It was the "breakthrough" people refer to when talking about the benefits of therapy. At the beginning of her Stepped Care sessions, Arianna had seven symptoms of trauma. By the end of the program, Arianna had none.
Your support of the Crisis Center allows Arianna and many others who have experienced traumatic loss to receive help through Crisis Center programs and services.
Thank you for making a difference!
