My Journey to Reproductive Justice

 

My life's work as an advocate began with my own birth; my conception was not consensual, and I was born to a teenage mother. This experience fueled my lifelong commitment to reproductive justice, bodily autonomy, and advocacy within the medical system.

As a "military brat" who grew up in diverse communities, such as Okinawa, Japan, I have a deep understanding of the unique challenges. From frequent moves to navigating complex systems that military and government families face. This experience informs my commitment to providing stable, culturally aware support.

My formal training began in 2009 when I started my training to become a Doula through Doula UK. The advocacy role inherent in doula work deeply resonated with me, as I believe in empowering my clients with meaningful information so they can make the best choices for themselves.

 

Holistic and Programmatic Expertise

 

My practice is strengthened by diverse, hands-on training and leadership roles:

Holistic Health: In 2018, I completed a 2-year Herbalist Apprenticeship. This deep background in community herbalism directly informs my personalized, holistic care that respects your physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and philosophical well-being.

Clinical & Lactation: I hold certifications as a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Educator with Birth Arts International and am a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) with the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice.

Program Leadership: I have extensive experience in program coordination and program relaunch, including leading and facilitating inclusive support groups for LGBTQI+ parents virtually and in-person.

 

The Path to Midwifery

 

In 2021, my journey guided me into the path of Midwifery to further serve my community. My training included a combination of academic study with the National Midwifery Institute (NMI) and extensive hands-on clinical experience through apprenticeship. My education was rooted in the Midwives Model of Care, which emphasizes the normalcy of birth and a non-interventional approach.

I gained intensive clinical experience across a wide geographic area, including the greater Washington D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia (NOVA) metro region, Indiana, and O'ahu. A pivotal part of my training involved working with the Amish community in Southern Indiana, which prepared me for providing dignified, high-quality care in low-resource settings that included homes without piped water or electricity and broadened my commitment to serving people far removed from my own cultural background.
 

I have gained practical expertise in specialized trainings with Breech Without Borders since 2021. I maintain current certification in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), Basic Life Support (BLS), CPR, and First Aid, ensuring comprehensive emergency preparedness. I currently hold the credential of Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) and am completing the process of obtaining my Licensed Midwife (LM) credential with the State of Hawaii.

 

Philosophy and Commitment

 

As a member of multiple marginalized communities, my work is guided by the philosophy that all people deserve equitable reproductive care. I am committed to bridging the gap between community members and the medical establishment by applying my skills in patient navigation and barrier removal.

I see my role as a supportive guide, not as an authority figure, with the goal of empowering you to make informed decisions about your care and to trust that you know what is best for your body.

In my commitment to equitable care, I utilize a trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and body-positive framework. I believe community care is essential care.

 

Beyond the Practice

 

Beyond my studies, I am a parent to two creative and free-spirited children. When I'm not working with clients, you can find me tending to my garden, watching anime, rolling dice in a Dungeons & Dragons adventures, or creating art with my kids.