STEP BY STEP
WITH THE SUPPORT OF
HER NURSE, MAHOGANY
IS REACHING HER GOALS
Mahogany, son Josiah and NFP nurse Stephanie with the NFP at Robeson County Department of Public Health in Lumberton, NC.
Photo credit: Colon Print Shop
The rain was coming down heavily as wind pounded on the side of the house. New mom Mahogany was inside trying to soothe her 3-month old baby boy Josiah. She had just started to get his routine down – knowing when to feed him and put him down to sleep. Tonight, they were just trying to get through the night. The town would soon be underwater. Hurricane Matthew was hitting eastern North Carolina, and on its way to cause devastation in Lumberton, where Mahogany lived with her family. Water started to leak through Mahogany’s ceiling. She tried to put towels down on the floor, but could not keep up with the amount of water coming in.
At 8 PM, she called the police for help. Mahogany smelled gas and knew she had to get herself and her baby out of there. Hours later at 1:30 AM, firefighters showed up in front of her house with a lifeboat. One brave firefighter waded through the water and came to her door. He reached out to carry baby Josiah – wearing a onesie, nestled inside a blanket – and tightly carried him on his chest. With Mahogany close behind, they waded in the water and walked down the street to board the lifeboat.
Once they arrived at the shelter, Mahogany stressed that she couldn’t stay at a group shelter for fear of her baby getting sick. She persuaded a courageous stranger to drive through the flood and give her a ride to her mom’s home.
Hurricane Matthew would be one of the most damaging hurricanes to hit North Carolina in recent history.
The storm destroyed Mahogany’s home, and her family lost most of what they owned.
Mahogany was distraught. In the days following the storm, she got a call from her Nurse-Family Partnership nurse Stephanie asking if she was ok and what she needed for her and her baby. Nurse-Family Partnership gave her a car seat and other resources provided by The Duke Endowment and Compassion For U affiliated with FaithHealth NC.
Stephanie continued to visit her wherever she was living. Two months later, she was able to get her own apartment.
Having a newborn had been an exciting and overwhelming experience. With Stephanie’s guidance, Mahogany had felt prepared for childbirth. She knew to time her contractions and when to call the doctor. Stephanie checked in on Mahogany daily in the days leading up to delivery.
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“Many women don’t have support," said mahogany. "Yes, I was young when I got pregnant and I felt like people were quick to judge me. Nurse Stephanie being there for me, made me feel like I could do it.”