Surprise! Baby???

Switching from helping a client find a family doctor to figuring out how to deal with an unexpected baby? That wasn’t the typical client support experience for Tammy Boudreau, Community Support Specialist, in the CAT program. But that’s what happened. Home tests didn’t show a pregnancy, so it was a total surprise to ‘Sandy’ when the doctor gave her the news. Used to being mobile and independent, suddenly Sandy, as a mature woman, was navigating a high-risk pregnancy. Tammy’s support focus shifted dramatically when Sandy said: “Honestly, I’m lost here – can you work with me?”

Sandy had come to Edmonton during COVID so had few community supports. Then she lost her job and was stuck in an apartment in an abusive relationship. A Family Support Worker at Jasper Place referred Sandy to the CAT program for help in finding resources like a family doctor and a source for ADHD assessment. Her plan had been to go back to school and build on job-related skills she’d been developing through programs like Lives in Transition and EmpowerU. That all changed quickly.

Tammy took on a new role. Part of the support was taking Sandy to specialist appointments since the abusive partner had slashed the tires on her car. But, equally important, Sandy needed emotional support. This parent-to-be was, as Tammy said, ‘just terrified.” It turned into kind of a team project with other CAT staff stepping in with support and information related to birthing and caring for new little ones.

Fortunately, Sandy’s mother was able to travel to Edmonton for two weeks and her timing was excellent. When the big day came, her mother was at the hospital for support. If that hadn’t worked out, Tammy was all set to be the back up person. The CAT team does amazing work, but this would have been a unique adventure. Sharing pictures of the new ‘CAT baby’ with the team was a definite and unusual highlight for Tammy.