Roschelle Ogbuji

Living in a small two bedroom condo has presented its challenges during the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic I didn’t own a tv or have internet at my house. I would take my daughter to the local library to play on the computer and to use the computer for my internet needs. Since the closure of all the public spaces I found that my need to go to the community spaces became unnecessary because I had those amenities at my home now. If I could do it all over again I would still make space to find ways to be in the community to make connections with others and have my daughter in the community in safe and healthy ways.

I was able to start my weightloss process during the pandemic. I was pushing nearly 400lbs and was sitting watching the news about obesity being a leading contributor to the effect of Covid and the recovery. It scared the HELL out of me. I knew I was going to live a healthier lifestyle and wanted to live because I had two beautiful girls who needed their mother healthy and alive. I actually co-parent with my ex-husband but it sometimes feels like parenting alone because we have two very different ways of raising kids. I felt the hardest thing was not being able to have a team approach to handling the ups and downs that came with Covid. Make sure you take care of yourself first then take care of the kids. I am a firm believer of putting on the oxygen mask first then putting it on your kids next.

I actually co-parent with my ex-husband but it sometimes feels like parenting alone because we have two very different ways of raising kids. I felt the hardest thing was not being able to have a team approach to handling the ups and downs that came with Covid.

I lost my three daughters in a house fire in 2007 in Shaker Heights. It has taught me how to overcome life’s many changes and struggles. I learned how to have supernatural grace for people. I have learned how to navigate through life’s ups and downs because if I could overcome that type of trauma then nothing else could destroy me. People say things that they don’t actually mean.

Kids only will give you back what you put into them, So put good stuff into them.