PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL: Mom gives all for kids

As part of the annual Press Christmas for All campaign, we share with readers the stories of those who have received help from the program.

This is the story of a single mom who hasn't given up in the face of hardship and advocates strongly for her two children, one of whom lives with mental illness and one of whom is severely disabled.

"Johanna" was a teen mom who married young. The relationship soon turned violent, with Johanna's husband nearly breaking her arm by slamming it in a door.

"I just thought it was because he was young, as we both were, and he would grow out of it," she said

Their daughter was diagnosed with a form of cerebral palsy

At 19 years old, I was told, "Your baby will be stupid. You can hand her to anyone in the world and she will think that is her mother. She will never know who you are," Johanna said. "This was absolutely devastating for any mother to hear, let alone a 19-year-old with no family support.

The couple had a second child, a son. Johanna's husband continued to abuse her and his violence escalated to include their children.

After enduring the abuse for years, Johanna said it was the encouragement of a coworker that gave her the courage to leave for good and take her children with her.

"He told me that I was worth more than how the kids and I were being treated," she said.

Since then, Johanna has provided for her children on her own. She does whatever it takes, including donating her plasma, to make sure they have what they need.

The abuse from his father left Johanna's son with emotional wounds that are still healing. Now a teen, he struggles with his mental health and is nonetheless a loving, thoughtful boy.

Johanna's daughter has learned to walk, to eat solid food and to communicate through sign language — all things others believed she would never be able to do. She needs constant supervision, however, and Johanna said finding care for her has been a challenge because her disability is severe.

Other people don't always accept her daughter.

"I have been told to never come back to restaurants because she is a messy eater and people don't like to see her eat," Johanna said. "I have had people tell me they do not want to be friends with me because I have a disabled child."

Still, Johanna said her achievements have outweighed her challenges.

"I have gone through more hardships than one person should have to deal with in a lifetime but I have come out stronger each time," she said. "My kids have each had plenty of struggles throughout their lives, but more importantly they have overcome more than anyone has ever expected them to."

Johanna recently earned her GED, both for herself and to show her son the importance of education and following one's dreams.

Now she's going back to school to better provide for her kids.

After a recommendation from North Idaho College's Center for New Directions, which helps single parents and displaced homemakers as they pursue further education or job training, Press Christmas for All purchased a new set of tires for Johanna's vehicle.

This gift allows Johanna to travel safely to class and to transport her children to their appointments.

Each year, Press readers donate generously to Press Christmas for All. Every penny raised is distributed to Kootenai County residents. All overhead costs are covered by The Hagadone Corp.

The gift recipients are our neighbors who are struggling, including the elderly, people with disabilities, veterans, the homeless and those with mental illnesses. Many who seek assistance from Christmas for All are working, but living in poverty.

Beneficiaries of Press Christmas for All keep their dignity while the community provides a hand-up to help get them back on their feet.

Press Christmas for All is managed by The Hagadone Corp., with assistance from CharityReimagined.Org. Christmas for All is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Here are four ways to donate:

• Mail a check to Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

• Call The Press and make a secure credit card donation over the phone: 208-664-8176

• Visit cdapress.com. Click on Christmas for All 2023 and make a secure, online donation.

• Drop off your check at The Press weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: 215 N. Second St. in downtown Coeur d'Alene.