Dear Maureen,

Dear Maureen,

Thank you so much for your wonderful care during my therapy sessions. Without your advice and guidance, I would not be the woman I am today. When Haylee and I first came to you I was a lost human. Realizing that my daughter is different then most toddlers her age, I didn't know what to do. My husband left us and I was burning out as a parent. You helped us by diagnosing Haylee on the autism spectrum. We later found out Haylee also has ADHD, speech delays, and developmental delays. As months went on I became depressed and developed bad anxiety from Haylee's behaviour problems. My friends and family wanted to be there for me but they didn't know-how. I was having a hard time dealing with so much on my plate with Haylee, my job, and trying to put food on the table. You opened up your door to me. I was hesitant at first to see a phycologist because I had a bad experience as a child, but I had to put that aside and give you a chance. After all, you helped with putting together a great support team for Haylee. We got together every week for six months at the start. You were always flexible with my appointments. At first, I had zero confidence in myself, I was depressed, and felt that I was alone with Haylee in this big world. I was so heartbroken from my husband leaving that I thought no one was ever going to love me again, especially with a special child. We did some great exercises on confidence and you taught me self-care. You helped me work through the emotional pain I experienced in my relationship with Haylee's dad. Within the first year, I had the confidence to make some friends. From there I met my first boyfriend since my husband. It didn't last long because Haylee was a bit too much for him, but you were right there to help me through that emotion. To help me see that the right man was out there. When I lost my job of eleven years, you were there to help me build confidence to get another job. We even rehearsed interviews together and I got a new career in fitness. Without your guidance in helping me land that job, I wouldn't have discovered powerlifting and be the powerlifter I am today. I have two silver medals hanging around my neck because of your encouragement. Plus, It has been a great outlet for my mental health.

Haylee's behaviours continued to change throughout the years. Some getting better and some got worse, but you were right there with us coaching me every step of the way. It took me years to realize that I needed in-home help. You knew, but you were so patient in waiting for me to realize this for myself. If it wasn't for you trying to guide me in that direction over the years, I would have never recognized when it was time. Sure, It took a traumatizing situation to make me realize that I needed in-home help, but once again you were right there to help me through the emotion.

So many ups and downs in my life and seven years later and you are still here. You never gave up on Haylee and me. I finally see that my life is so much more than being a parent to Haylee. I can still crush goals and have dreams. Today I am engaged to a man that loves Haylee just as much as he loves me. I am pursuing my love for writing as well as my dream of working in broadcasting. You can catch me hosting a local tv program on weekends, or listen to me narrate your next favourite audiobook on Amazon.

All of this started in my life because you are an amazing woman! You used your strength to lift me from the bottom of my weakest days. You always say that I am an inspiration to you, but I wouldn't be this inspiring if you didn't help me see how inspiring I could be. Thank you Maureen for being there for Haylee and me over the years.

Yours Truly,

Melissa Bezborotko