She had been on her healing journey for a while when she was diagnosed with congenital heart disease in 2016. So, she gained a lot of weight and in the process, an artery abnormality was discovered. God has spared her life, but her coping mechanism was food. She’s glad that people are now realizing that eating disorders are signs and symptoms of trauma. Tears are flowing from Claudia’s face as she describes knowing that there are others who need to know that there is help for past trauma and hurts. They need to know that there is hope and there is a purpose and that God brings healing internally so that people can become who God intended them to be. She says, “You know, it’s like that butterfly that you are wearing. I like butterflies too. They represent transformation and change” relating to her writer, Ms. Phillis. Claudia says, “I’m really blessed, and my tears and sensitivity are because I have been through so much and I know what God has done for me. I don’t want to minimize or take away from people who are born into the faith, but there is a pureness in having gone through so much and now being able to help others who are going through.” The reason why she is sharing her story is because she wants people to see her experience of transformation and know that it could be them too. Now she is a Pastor’s wife. God called them forward. She shared that to say that people have told her that she disarms them, and they are able to share with her their hurts and pains. She prays for God to break her heart for what breaks His. She asks him to help her see people the way that He sees them. She shares the emotions because if it matters to God then it matters to her. Claudia has learned how to love. She didn’t know what that was in her previous relationship, with love, there was always a question, there was always a condition, and there was always an “if”. She wants to share about coming from a garage as my home, to having a home with a garage. Real change happened for her when she looked at her first-born son and realized that she has an unconditional love for him and realized that her children needed more, they deserved more. That was the turning point. When she thinks of it, for her, what changed was her seeing 18 | ENVISION PROVEN SUCCESS MAGAZINE her kids with lack. Her kids gave her motivation to change and make things better. When you are in a domestic situation, you are used to two incomes, and when you leave the relationship, you lose one income. So, when you are trying to change and heal and keep everything afloat, you need resources. You need that extra help. It is not that there aren’t resources. Most people can access resources, but you are able to get the help in your hand and have someone walk alongside to get you that job and get you connected and empower your confidence. That is what we offer for the people we serve at our support group called “H.O.P.E.” She started the H.O.P.E. support group in 2018. That is when she met Ms. McQuetta Williams. Since then, God has continued to help her peel back those layers. She finds that being vulnerable is so hard. It is really hard. We have people who come to our peer support group in order to “Healing Our Past Experiences”. The support group has now branched off into ‘Steps of HOPE”. The mission of Steps of HOPE is all about peer empowerment. It is like a hand-up. When you come and you experience healing in the group setting, you can get mentoring in order to further your personal growth. Then from there if there are other needs that someone has, we help. If you need a job, we help you. The theme of Claudia’s life is one of empowerment and resilience. Despite experiencing childhood abuse and domestic abuse, she has been able to overcome adversity and create a space for others to heal. Her life is a testament to the human capacity for strength courage and compassion when you believe in God, or someone greater than us. Her experience has given her a unique perspective on the world, and she has been able to use this to help others who may be going through a similar struggle. She’s able to help by creating a space of healing in a supportive environment, where individuals can work through their trauma and begin to rebuild their lives. Her story is a powerful example of how it is possible to turn hardship into something positive. Through her own perspective and determination, she has been able to transform her experience into a force of good by helping others who may be struggling to find hope and healing. Her theme of resilience and empowerment serves as an inspiration. It demonstrates to others that
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