For years, Tatiana lived in a world full of drugs and violence with an abusive boyfriend who used hair-pulling as a way to control her behavior while producing bald spots, causing her low self esteem. One day, she was so sick of being dragged around by her hair while her young children watched that she took a knife and cut it all off.
She soon became sick and was hospitalized. Upon leaving the hospital, Tatiana asked the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to take temporary custody of her son and daughter while she entered a substance abuse treatment program. Several months later, she reunified with her children and they moved into the Elizabeth Stone House (ESH). They found a supportive community, programs and groups that helped to rebuild their relationship as a family at the ESH.
Her children reclaimed their own childhoods at the ESH through the Parent-Child Center where they gained new friendships and started attending school. While her family had made great strides in their rebuilding efforts, Tatiana was still bothered by the bald spots and scars left on her head. Through perseverance and hours of research, Tatiana was finally able to get the six-month process of hair re-growth medical procedure, which would begin in the Spring of 2009, covered by Mass Health.
Today, Tatiana is a happy and confident woman. She is very excited about having a promise made by one of the ESH’s board members fulfilled: a drive down Newbury Street, Boston’s “Rodeo Drive”, in his convertible so her dazzling hair can billow in the wind.
Tatiana has been clean for over three years and was recently invited by the Lt. Governor of Massachusetts to tour his office to honor her accomplishments. She lives with her children in an apartment just minutes from the ESH and is still a very active member of the community. Everyone at the Elizabeth Stone House is proud of all that Tatiana has achieved and is honored to call her a part of the Stone House family!