Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Jessica Ramirez. I have been through quite a lot in my lifetime. I have been through several losses and traumas, along with wins and successes. My mother (cancer) and sister (illnesses from my mother having cancer) passed away when I was only five years old, also leaving behind my older sister and our father. We had a very difficult time, especially with spending all of our days at two separate hospitals. Our father also did not always grieve in the best way. Soon after, we were adopted by our caregiver, who married our dad. She was such a blessing in our lives. After their divorce, five years later, our lives seemed to go downhill from there. My sister and I basically raised ourselves after that. We were always each other’s support systems. This was what made me always want to continue my life, no matter how dark it got. I knew I wanted to make a difference in my life, to myself and to others. I wanted to make a difference as all those nurses and doctors did for us, like our caregivers and mom took care of us, how so many people around us gave us hope. We always had guardian angels along the way. When I was in high school, I made the decision not going away to college to care for my family. I turned down several offers and scholarships. I began a medical assistant program close to home while also working full time as a waitress/bartender.
After I graduated, I was not satisfied with the income, so I decided to be interested in nursing. I also began working as a teacher assistant at a small preschool while I put myself through nursing school. I eventually failed out of nursing school when the school was close to losing its accreditation. I was nearly done and already well into my clinical. I was extremely bummed and depressed. I did not have the money or resources to fight to get back into nursing school. Either way, I always told myself I would become a teacher if nursing didn’t work out. I took about a year off of school before I decided to start taking my basics towards a bachelor’s in psychology, which actually saved my life. I also started my own nanny business since I had been so successful on my own already. This was very exciting. During this time, our second mom, Reina, was diagnosed with cancer. This felt like the worst time of our lives, AGAIN! This was when education saved my life. I learned and studied about myself, my brain, my emotions, and more. I learned that I wasn’t as “crazy” as everyone thought. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety Adjustment Disorder. This was the start of my personal journey to bettering myself every day. I never understood why I tried to harm myself as just a child and why I continued to feel such darkness in my life. This felt like the fresh start I really needed. I began a master’s and teaching certification program, which probably wasn’t the best idea. I had no room or time to break down. I had to take some time off of work and teaching because our mother had radiation and chemo appointments every single week.
My business helped me survive during this time, along with my sister helping support us financially. Everything seemed to be falling apart, but I knew the world was not going to stop for anyone. I kept pushing through everything, no matter how difficult times were. When our mother was let go of all clinical trials, treatments and doctors, she entered hospice services. We ended up supporting her through everything, along with her plan to pass back at home in our country. This was definitely the hardest time of our life. Somehow we pushed through. She passed in January of this year, and I have only continued to grow more and more. Through my pain, heartache, tears, and grief, I continued to fight on for BOTH of my moms. I am now in the best place of my life, the best I can at least. I am a Special Education math and science teacher at a private special differences school, holding a Master’s Degree in Special Education, and also the owner of my nanny business. I have busted my butt through this difficult life, but through it all, I’ll always keep working towards my dreams. I make a difference in children’s lives every day, along with them making a difference in my life. I soon plan on beginning my Ph.D. program and am dedicating it to my mothers. I am a huge advocate of special needs, mental health awareness, and animal rescue.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road AT ALL. My story and life definitely show the struggles, heartbreaks, and traumas I have experienced in my life. The bumpy road has always been what has gotten me through anything and everything. It is what makes me continue to push myself and my sister to move forward. I plan to always keep fighting and not ever let anything take away my fight.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am most proud of: -Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology -Master’s of Education in Special Education -Special Education Teaching Certification -Teaching at a special needs private school -My business: Say Jess to the Nanny, LLC -Advocate and fundraiser for Autism Speaks -Volunteering with Houston Cares Animal Rescue -Volunteering for Chi St. Luke’s Medical Center.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people that I have worked with do not really know everything that goes on with me. I have a lot of inner emotions and feelings that I am working through daily. I tend to be very happy and positive every day, so some people find it surprising when they find out about my hardships. I don’t ever aim to or want anyone to feel sorry for me. I want them to know that we can all get through tough times, especially with support; professional and/or personal support. It is okay not to be okay, but it is never okay to give up.
Contact Info:
- Email: sayjesstothenanny@gmail.com
- Website: Sayjesstothenanny.org
- Other: https://sayjesstoliving.wordpress.com/
Image Credits
Graduation photos by @lori.mayphotography on Instagram
