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A Meaningful Life At the age of 23, Esteven Taylor was new to Dallas and on the brink of losing her apartment, her car and job when she found out she was pregnant. “I was not ready to be pregnant,” she said. “I still had a lot of life I wanted to live and that didn’t include having a baby at that time.” Not knowing where to turn, Esteven visited a Parkland clinic only to be told she would need more paperwork. Disheartened and confused, she headed out the door. But an outreach employee with Parkland’s Healthy Start program called her over and told her about the program. This act of care and concern moved Esteven to read the information that night. So, she contacted the Healthy Start office and case manager Angela Flowers scheduled a time to visit. “That really made an impression on me, that she would come to my home,” said Esteven. “At that time in my life I wouldn’t have come to an office. I just felt horrible about myself and the pregnancy.” Flowers came armed with paperwork for Medicaid, food stamps, shelters and other resources. Her goal – the purpose of Healthy Start – is to make sure mothers and their babies have a healthy pregnancy. “I helped her schedule her first prenatal visit and gave her suggestions on healthy eating, getting plenty of rest and the importance of her prenatal vitamins,” said Flowers. As Esteven’s pregnancy progressed, Flowers continued to stay in constant contact with her. She offered support as Esteven found another apartment and a job. Flowers provided public transportation passes to make sure Esteven went to all her medical appointments. “It seemed like any time I was feeling down, she would call me or come to visit and we would just talk,” Esteven recalled. “It was nice to have someone that cared because I felt like I was alone.” On May 30, 2008, Bailey Rae was born. “She is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I mean, just look at her,” Esteven said as Bailey Rae, now 2 years old, reaches for a cookie. “My life now has meaning. She wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Healthy Start.” A change is made Now a happy, hardworking mom and student at Mountain View College, Esteven is an enthusiastic advocate for the Healthy Start program. “I am very happy to share my story with others, especially having the opportunity to speak with congressmen about how many lives the program impacts,” she said. She traveled to Austin and Washington, D.C. last year with Healthy Start staff. She helps educate legislators about services offered, shares success stories, including her own, and makes sure they understand the positive outcomes for the areas in Dallas that the program serves. Advocacy is an important component of the program, as Dallas Healthy Start is partially funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). “We advocated for her and now she’s become an advocate for us,” said Kathy Chapman, case management manager of Dallas Healthy Start. “She truly has a wonderful story.” Prevention of infant mortality, preterm and low birth weight deliveries are all a part of the Healthy Start mission. Services are offered in five targeted zip codes including 75210, 75212, 75215, 75216 and 75231. The program is composed of outreach, case management, depression screening and health education, among other activities. “Healthy Start’s goal is to simply help moms have a healthy pregnancy and reduce the rate at which babies are dying,” said Eulalia Gillum-Roberson, community programs manager of Dallas Healthy Start. Esteven and Bailey Rae are proof that the program works. Esteven is in love with her daughter and life itself, giving a majority of the credit for her happiness to Dallas Healthy Start. For more information on Parkland’s Dallas Healthy Start program, click here or call 214.590.1670. |
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