Kyla’s Journey and the Strength Behind It — Shared Hearts Event Recap

Givette Gonzalez, Director of Patient Intake:  

Good afternoon again, everyone. My name is Givette Gonzalez, Director of Intake at White Glove. I’m so excited to have you all joining our event. Anytime we can connect with our community—our patients and caregivers—is something we truly value here at White Glove. 

To start, I just want to let everyone know that after the meeting, you’ll receive a small Uber Eats gift card as a refreshment for joining. So you can treat yourself to something nice. We’re actually going to begin today by highlighting one of our patient families. 

We’re going to have a conversation with Tiffany, who is the mother of one of our patients, Kyla. We’ve had the privilege of knowing Kyla for over a year now. The entire team is inspired by her, the nurses absolutely love her, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to speak together today. 

Thank you, Tiffany, for being here. 

The Beginning of a Life-Changing Chapter 

Givette: 

To start off, please tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your journey with Kyla. 

Tiffany D., Mom of Kyla: 

Sure. First, I just want to say I was very young when this journey started. I was trying to start school, just being a regular girl in college, getting my degree. 

Then I realized I had some symptoms and thought, “I can’t be pregnant, right?” I took a home pregnancy test, and it came back negative, but something kept telling me to go to the doctor. 

So I went to the doctor, and they told me I was pregnant. Then the sonographer told me there were two babies. I lost it. I was shocked. I honestly didn’t expect to have twins—not even one baby, but two. 

So yes, I’m a mom of twin girls, and they are truly my world. 

I was already nervous about having one baby, so hearing there were two was overwhelming. But it was the beginning of a journey that shaped me in ways I never expected. 

Growing Into Motherhood, One Step at a Time 

Givette: 

What were those early days like for you? 

Tiffany: 

They were very emotional. Becoming a parent already comes with so many unknowns. And when your child has medical needs, it adds another layer of fear and uncertainty. 

I was young, and it was a whole new experience. There were so many doctor visits and so much medical information to process. It felt overwhelming and scary. 

But at the same time, I knew I had to be strong for my children. I did research and tried to understand everything instead of ignoring the reality. I had to learn how to be a mother, how to advocate for my children, and how to manage all my emotions. 

It was a lot to juggle. 

More Than Challenges — A Home Filled With Joy 

Givette: 

What does a typical day with Kyla look like? 

Tiffany: 

A typical day requires planning, patience, and flexibility. There are medical routines, therapies, school, and making sure she has the care she needs throughout the day. 

Behind the scenes, there’s a lot of coordination—appointments, communication with healthcare providers, and making sure everything is in place for her safety. 

But when she’s home with her sister, it’s full of laughter and joy. Her sister is her biggest supporter. Even though they’re 11 now, she always makes sure Kyla is included. 

Despite the challenges, there’s so much happiness in our home. 

Givette: 

What do you wish more people understood about families caring for medically fragile children? 

Tiffany: 

I wish people understood that families like ours are just trying to live our lives like everyone else. 

We’re parents first. Our lives are still filled with love, laughter, and special moments. Yes, there are challenges, but we’re doing everything we can to give our children the best quality of life. 

Holding On Through the Hard Days 

Givette: 

In difficult moments, what helps you stay strong? 

Tiffany: 

Prayer helps a lot. I also remind myself that I have to keep going for my children. If I’m not okay, they’re not okay. 

Faith keeps me grounded and gives me strength during uncertain times. And staying strong doesn’t mean pretending everything is okay. Sometimes it means allowing yourself to feel emotions but still finding the courage to move forward. 

Becoming Her Voice — Learning to Advocate 

Givette: 

How did you learn to advocate for Kyla? 

Tiffany: 

I learned to ask questions. Even if I felt like I was being a bother, I asked questions. 

Sometimes I didn’t even know what questions to ask, but I kept asking anyway. It was always for my child’s benefit. 

For example, Kyla recently started using a stander in therapy. I made sure the school included that in her care plan, too, so that everything aligned. 

I also set goals for her. I want her to have better head control and be able to sit upright more. When she’s upright, she drools less and is more comfortable. 

So I always make sure to speak up about what she needs. 

The Moment That Changed Everything 

Givette: 

How did you come to the decision to have nursing services? 

Tiffany: 

At first I didn’t think she needed a nurse. But there was one incident when she was on the school bus and started choking on her saliva. 

That scared me. 

That moment made me realize she needed a nurse with her—someone who could monitor her and respond quickly if something happened. 

Having nursing support is such a relief. I don’t have to constantly worry. I can get updates like, “Mom, she’s doing fine.” 

It brings peace of mind. 

Advice for Parents Beginning the Journey 

Givette: 

Do you have advice for parents starting a similar journey? 

Tiffany: 

Yes. Don’t feel too overwhelmed. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, but remember that you’re stronger than you realize. 

Ask questions. Seek support. Connect with other people who understand. 

Over time you’ll find your rhythm and discover strength you didn’t even know you had. 

Happiness in the Smallest Moments 

Givette: 

Before we wrap up, can you share something special about Kyla? 

Tiffany: 

Kyla recently started smiling more often, and it brings so much joy. Her smile lights up the room. 

Even her sister gets excited and runs over when she sees Kyla smiling. 

Kyla is visually impaired, but her hearing is incredible. I know she’s listening when I talk to her. 

She has a personality. I can feel it. 

Sometimes the school will tell me she laughed, and that makes me so happy. Seeing your nonverbal child express herself in ways you didn’t expect—it’s such a special feeling. 

Givette: 

Thank you so much for sharing that. It really brought a smile to my face. 

Tiffany: 

Thank you for having me. And I also want to thank the nurses, doctors, and healthcare providers. Without them, I wouldn’t feel as strong as I do. 

Givette: 

It truly is a team effort. Thank you so much for your time. And thank you, everyone, for being here with us today. That was such a lovely conversation I had with Tiffany. It’s always so meaningful to hear the perspective of families who are actually going through it. 

I know, having been in this industry for 13 years and meeting so many families, that sometimes it can feel isolating—like, is it just me? And hearing someone else’s story —what they go through and the challenges they face—while still being able to move forward and have the care they need in place really makes a difference. 

And hearing that she’s improving, even in the small but beautiful ways, like being able to smile—that brings so much joy. 

Thank you, Tiffany, for joining us today and sharing your story—it truly meant so much. And thank you to everyone who joined us. We’re so grateful to stand alongside you and can’t wait to see you again at our next event. Feel free to share any ideas for future events—or if you’d like to share your story on MyCommunity, we would love to hear from you. 

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