Anonymous, 19 – East Hartford CT

Hi I am 19 years old and a single mom to a beautiful baby boy.

My father and grandfather are both dying of cancer and only have a few more months left, and my great great aunt just died this past Monday in the nursing home she was staying at.

When all of this started I was almost to the end of my senior year ready for prom, ready for my diploma, and ready to make my dad and grandpa proud before they pass. So therefore my new reality is not seeing my loved ones who I don’t have much time left with, not walking the stage to graduate, not dancing with my friends at senior prom, new reality is being home everyday because the most I can do is go out in the backyard with my son.

My son doesn’t get to go out anymore. New reality is that the world is sadly changing. To be honest I’m not too sure how I’ve been facing it, I’m still trying to learn how to change life to social distancing, change my life to only going to the store every other week.

I haven’t been able to get a job because of this and it’s been hard to get my son what he needs. But I’m doing the best I can, we play outside every nice day we get, take naps, and even take stroller walks around the house! New reality is gearing up with a mask and gloves just to go grocery shopping and having to wipe everything down with Clorox wipes.

I know this asked for one question to be answered but I feel like the other ones need to be addressed. One way that young people are impacted but no one is talking about is depression! I’ve read at least two stories of teens who have killed themselves due to being isolated. Our youth especially high school seniors are depressed, whether they tell you themselves or not most are depressed on missing walking the stage, Senior picnic, prom, the normal high school experience! Our youth are stuck home and can’t go out and enjoy themselves or see family or friends and if your child is just keeping themselves in their room even if that is normal for them, get them out!! Play a game with them, family movie night, something, or just simply constantly check on them.

Also the most challenging thing for me has been not being able to see my family and hug them or just be with them. My family wasn’t able to be there with my great great aunt for her last breath.

A challenge is not being able to find certain foods because everyone is taking more than they need, yes you should stock up a little so you don’t have to go out a lot but don’t be selfish, remember other families need to eat too and have children who might be going without things.

Even when lockdowns are lifted our world won’t be the same, some people will still fear to go out in public or near people because the reality is this virus isn’t going to just disappear it will still be there, so we need to still have caution. Yes this pandemic is scary and serious but we will all get through it together. Thank you Perrin Family Foundation for giving our youth this opportunity! 

Anonymous, 19 – East Hartford CT

Hi I am 19 years old and a single mom to a beautiful baby boy.

My father and grandfather are both dying of cancer and only have a few more months left, and my great great aunt just died this past Monday in the nursing home she was staying at.

When all of this started I was almost to the end of my senior year ready for prom, ready for my diploma, and ready to make my dad and grandpa proud before they pass. So therefore my new reality is not seeing my loved ones who I don’t have much time left with, not walking the stage to graduate, not dancing with my friends at senior prom, new reality is being home everyday because the most I can do is go out in the backyard with my son.

My son doesn’t get to go out anymore. New reality is that the world is sadly changing. To be honest I’m not too sure how I’ve been facing it, I’m still trying to learn how to change life to social distancing, change my life to only going to the store every other week.

I haven’t been able to get a job because of this and it’s been hard to get my son what he needs. But I’m doing the best I can, we play outside every nice day we get, take naps, and even take stroller walks around the house! New reality is gearing up with a mask and gloves just to go grocery shopping and having to wipe everything down with Clorox wipes.

I know this asked for one question to be answered but I feel like the other ones need to be addressed. One way that young people are impacted but no one is talking about is depression! I’ve read at least two stories of teens who have killed themselves due to being isolated. Our youth especially high school seniors are depressed, whether they tell you themselves or not most are depressed on missing walking the stage, Senior picnic, prom, the normal high school experience! Our youth are stuck home and can’t go out and enjoy themselves or see family or friends and if your child is just keeping themselves in their room even if that is normal for them, get them out!! Play a game with them, family movie night, something, or just simply constantly check on them.

Also the most challenging thing for me has been not being able to see my family and hug them or just be with them. My family wasn’t able to be there with my great great aunt for her last breath.

A challenge is not being able to find certain foods because everyone is taking more than they need, yes you should stock up a little so you don’t have to go out a lot but don’t be selfish, remember other families need to eat too and have children who might be going without things.

Even when lockdowns are lifted our world won’t be the same, some people will still fear to go out in public or near people because the reality is this virus isn’t going to just disappear it will still be there, so we need to still have caution. Yes this pandemic is scary and serious but we will all get through it together. Thank you Perrin Family Foundation for giving our youth this opportunity!