In an extraordinary tale of compassion and resilience that unfolded in the United States, a nurse stepped forward to adopt a 14-year-old girl, Shariya Small, who faced the daunting challenge of bringing triplets into the world in 2020.
A Nurse’s Heart Opens to a Young Mother in Need
Katrina Mullen, an American nurse, found her life intertwined with Shariya’s in a way she never expected. Moved by the teenager’s plight, who had delivered her triplets prematurely, Katrina was struck by Shariya’s solitude during her visits to the neonatal intensive care unit where her babies were fighting for their lives. “She was alone, spending days by her babies’ side,” Katrina shared with the Today news site. Despite the lack of a support system around her, Shariya initially kept to herself, reluctant to open up.
Their relationship took a pivotal turn when Katrina shared her personal story of becoming a mother at 16 and choosing adoption for her child. This revelation bridged the gap between them, fostering a bond of trust and understanding. Throughout the infants’ hospital stay, Katrina became an invaluable source of advice and support for Shariya, even offering her personal contact for any future needs. “I told her, ‘If you need anything, just call me. If you need to talk or have a question, I’m here,'” Katrina recounted.
A Future Together as a Family
Later on, Katrina learned about Shariya’s living conditions with her parents, which were far from conducive to raising children. The triplets were sleeping in a portable playpen, and Shariya herself was relegated to the couch. To make matters worse, one of the triplets faced digestive issues and severe eczema, leading to a hospital admission and a diagnosis of growth delay.
When it became apparent that Shariya and her children needed a new home, social services faced the daunting task of finding a foster family willing to take in a teenage mother and her premature triplets. Understanding the improbability of such an arrangement, Katrina, who already had three children, didn’t hesitate to undergo the necessary training to become a certified foster parent for Shariya and her babies.
This story found its silver lining when Katrina officially adopted Shariya on February 6, expressing her pride in being her mother. Since then, Shariya has achieved her high school diploma and is aspiring to work as a social worker.
In a world where stories of despair and abandonment are all too common, Katrina and Shariya’s story shines as a beacon of hope and the incredible strength of chosen family bonds. It’s a poignant reminder that sometimes, it takes just one person’s kindness to change lives forever.
