Apr 29, 2021 Reporting from Niles, MI
What support looks like - Myron Stubbs
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/how-we-compare/our-patients/Detail/what-support-looks-like/?utm_source=What_support_looks_like&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Apr 29, 2021
Apr 29, 2021
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
Life changed forever the day Benton Harbor resident, Myron Stubbs, lost his girlfriend and unborn child.
“I never imagined life without the love, laughter, support, and guidance from the person who made the home ours,” said Myron. “Ta’Shayla Lacy wa
What support looks like - Myron Stubbs
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/ResourcePackages/SpectrumHealth/assets/img/sh_white_logo.png
What support looks like - Myron Stubbs
Apr, 2021
Life changed forever the day Benton Harbor resident, Myron Stubbs, lost his girlfriend and unborn child.
“I never imagined life without the love, laughter, support, and guidance from the person who made the home ours,” said Myron. “Ta’Shayla Lacy was known for helping others, especially me, when it came to our household.”
Soon after losing his loved ones, Myron began to navigate his new reality alone.
He fell behind in paying bills and headed into a downward spiral. He defined grieving as a time when he could not care for his home, himself, or others. There were moments he could not sleep in his bedroom or eat. When friends, and even his children, tried to convince him to get out of the house, the answer was always no.
“When you feel like there is nothing to lose, you don’t care about anything and, as a parent, your children suffer most,” said Myron.
Life continued to throw more hardships his way. Myron received several parking tickets and got into further legal trouble after being accused of running an auto shop out of his home without the correct license.
At his lowest, Myron sought help from the Center for Better Health in downtown Benton Harbor. The staff recommended a list of resources to support his needs and supplied housing assistance. They also provided legal navigation services and the technology Myron needed to attend his virtual court hearing for the auto shop case. When there was a dispute about Myron’s documentation, legal navigator, Chokwe Pitchford, confirmed it had been sent and they were able to proceed.
“I had tears in my eyes when everything was confirmed,” said Myron. “Someone actually advocated and fought for me that day.”
Finally feeling like someone cared about him and his future, Myron became more open to receiving additional help including unemployment assistance and mental health care. He was relieved to learn all services offered by the Center for Better Health were free.
Myron was also referred to Lory’s Place for grief support for him and his children. He was shocked and blessed by how quickly he was able to get assistance.
“My life would be so dark without the services I received,” said Myron.
Myron hopes that sharing his story will help other Black men, and families in his community, find resources that can help heal their traumas.
For more information about services available at the Center for Better Health, call 269.408.2258 or visit shlcenterforbetterhealth.org