Ep. 131 – Early Arrival to Unexpected Journey with Jamiliah Jackson

Host Rashidah welcomes Jamiliah Jackson, a 44-year-old NewYork mom who became a first-time mother in 2021 to twins Alana and Array after delivering at 26 weeks due to peripartum cardiomyopathy and being hospitalizedin ICU and cardiology. She describes dismissive care before an emergency C-section, the trauma of the NICU during COVID, Alana’s two-month stay, Array’s nearly seven-month stay and discharge on oxygen, and her determination to advocate so Array could come home.

After the twins turned two, Alana was diagnosed with autismlevel one and Array with level three nonverbal; Jamiliah emphasizes early intervention, pursuing psychological evaluation, building supportive “village” relationships, prioritizing self-care, and taking action over denial. Sheshares grief after her mother’s death, progress through therapies including ABA, Array beginning to speak, and her nonprofit-in-progress, PS Mommy Loves You, to support families affected by maternal death and autism.

 

Connect with Jamiliah Jackson

PPCM Survivor – NICU Mom ~ CEO of PS Mommy Loves You Non-Profit~ Black Maternal Rights Activist

• Instagram – www.instagram.com/mrs_slaytember

• TikTok – mrs_slaytember

In this episode, we discuss:

 

00:00 Badass Moms Welcome

01:10 Why This Story Matters

02:01 Meet Jamiliah and The Twins

05:01 Symptoms and Dismissal

07:28 Emergency C Section Crisis

13:51 ICU Fight and Faith

18:24 First NICU Visit Reality

22:47 Bringing Array Home Oxygen

26:25 Postpartum Grief to Purpose

34:04 Advocacy and Early Intervention

39:36 Autism Signs and Testing

41:32 Autism Diagnosis Shock

44:31 Family Reactions and Resolve

45:25 Finding Support Online

47:49 Self Care for Moms

51:10 Building the Care Team

54:35 Grief and Julie’s Help

57:08 Advocacy Over Denial

01:04:01 Twins Progress and Bond

01:08:28 Advice for Struggling Moms

01:14:46 Nonprofit and How to Connect

01:20:48 Gratitude and Closing

01:23:51 Guest Application Outro

 

If this episode resonated with you:

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