Living with a multitude of challenges with Vicki Head

Today’s guest is Vicki, a single mum of three children, who has been caring for them alone since they were all very young.  Her eldest child, Emily was born by emergency Caesarean and following that, was very poorly.

Vicki’s story is one of a mother who has spent her time caring for not only Emily, but also her siblings, and how as a family they have pulled together and supported each other.

Having been born with medical issues, Emily spent her childhood under the care of paediatricians and during that time she developed many different conditions.  It wasn’t until she was 14 that she was diagnosed with Turner syndrome, that Vicki explains is about a missing chromosome which in turn affects a whole range of things.

Vicki talks about the grief Emily suffered after finding out that because of her condition she would need to have her ovaries removed, which as a young growing woman is a tragic thing to be told.

Emily’s health problems continued to grow, and Vicki shares how she, Emily and her other children had to deal with them.  This all happened before we all had access to the internet, so finding information and being able to research things was far harder.  Life felt like a continual battle.

Another issue Vicki talks about is how, as a single mother she felt vulnerable about contacting social services for help, because at that time there was a lot of stigma and fear around involving them.

Now as an adult, Emily does have some support, which although it has taken a long time to find now means like everyone else she is able to live her life with purpose.

You can find out more about Vicki at https://www.vickihead.com/