Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhonda Tatum.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was a single teen mom at 17 years old and brought into this world a son who was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia Disease type “SS”. That was one of the hardest days of my life. The doctors informed me that my son would not live past the age of 5. They encouraged me to stay hopeful as new medical technology was being researched to prolong his life. Teen life and being a single parent was far more difficult than I could’ve imagined. I was living in a dysfunctional and abusive household, trying to figure out how to love/care for a child without knowing how to even love myself. There were days I didn’t how I would make it as I battled depression and suicidal thoughts often. Determined to show a strong face to my son each time he suffered the most horrendous pain crisis, believe it or not somehow I made it through.
Each night I’d watch him close his eyes in a hospital bed and once I realized he was sound asleep, I’d run to the restroom to let out the pain I had been holding in all day. There were times I would fall to my knees crying, screaming and praying for God to help as I pressed a pillow to my face then composed myself accordingly just to do it all over again. The most heartbreaking thing is to see your child in pain, hear them scream your name, pleading for your help and yet be helpless. For me I had so many deep-rooted issues already buried so deeply. Always feeling inadequate as a daughter, sister, wife and as Mother. As parents, we make it look easy even though we feel like we are dying on the inside. Therefore, I decided to form Build The Bond and serve those in the underserved communities. My mission is to promote self-esteem because I had none, Self-healing that I learned through life’s circumstance and encourage individuals and parents to build stronger bonds with their children and break cycles of trauma.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life was very tough and I had so many issues with financial stability. I was in constant worry and being a young mother of two children, one being sick very frequently, I struggled with depression and with how to show each of my children that I loved them equally. How would I give them something I didn’t have for myself or was never taught?
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I was a preschool instructor for about four years and then transitioned into mortgage. I have worked in the mortgage industry for 13 years and am now a Professional Service Consultant with a mortgage software company. I train brokers and lenders on how to use our software and assist with new set up. I am most proud of my children for being such amazing human beings and the formation of my nonprofit organization. What sets me apart from others is my heart. I have the ability to empathize with people I don’t know and genuinely want to find ways to make their lives better.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the beautiful art here and endless options to enjoy a night out with friends or family. What I dislike the most are the rude drivers and traffic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.webuildthebond.org
- Instagram: build_the_bond_
- Facebook: Build The Bond
