Navigating Her Children’s Mental Illness Journey with Patty Sepety

Patty Patricia Sepety headshot, navigating her children's mental illness journey

Patty Sepety, a mother of two is my guest and she tells her story with the purpose of encouraging your heart to trust God’s faithfulness when life is more than you can handle. She shares her journey of walking both of her children through mental illness and their tragic experiences that set that diagnosis into motion.

What lengths a mother will go to to get her children the help they need and Patty was no exception. She was blindsided by what happened to her daughter when she was only 10 years old and the fallout constantly challenged Patty’s ability to get out ahead of the resulting trauma and mental illness issues that would unfold over time.

And I don’t remember the time frame in relation to her daughter coming to her about what happened and then her son coming forward but in the midst of meeting her daughter’s needs her son, 4 years younger than her daughter, requests to also have professional help like his sister. He receives the professional help and yet he follows through with his thoughts of self-harm and Patty finds herself sitting beside her son’s hospital bed looking at the countless pieces of machinery not knowing if he’ll live through the night.

Patty’s journey into uncharted waters hit her from several sides. Along with her children’s level of need, her husband would also be diagnosed with a hole in his heart and endure multiple procedures; each one having the potential to take his life. And her aging parents needed her help as well. Just when you think that would be enough, she, herself is diagnosed with PTSD.

As our conversation unfolded it became apparent to me that through every phase of her dark valley she never questioned God’s faithfulness. One of the things that was thought provoking to me is that she shares how she’d read Job’s story and it would comfort her that her life was not as bad as what Job had endured. Now that’s one way to put perspective in your life.

Patty has the sweetest countenance, you can hear it in her voice. If you think she’d make the sweetest friend, you’re right. She has a strong bond with the women that she does life with. I’ve met the group of women she is connected to. The whole group, not just a percentage of the women, love well. If you’re ever on the Eastern Shore in the Cape Charles area of the Virginia side, and you need a kind person to talk to, stop in at Cheriton Church and ask for any one of the women who serve on the WinGS (Women in God’s Service) team. I guarantee you, you’ll leave feeling like you were loved on by Jesus Himself.

Let’s listen in to hear Patty’s humble, transparent story of how she navigated mental illness with her children and the uncertainty that life can challenge us with.

Connect with Patty: www.MyConciergeLLCVa.com

Resources:
https://www.tuckerpsychiatric.com/
https://www.chkd.org/Our-Services/Mental-Health/
https://www.cctcinc.org/about
https://www.gideons.org/read-the-bible

Bio:
Patty came from a Christian home where the family attended church wherever they lived. While she and her family were living in Bangkok, Thailand, Patty accepted Jesus and was baptized at age 15. 

She has been married to David for 50 years and they have two children and two grandchildren. In 2018 Patty and David relocated to the Eastern Shore of Virginia where they love the quiet lifestyle. They currently reside in a 200-year-old, former parish house relocated from Hog Island to Nassawadox, VA.
    
Patty and David are active members of Cheriton Baptist Church where she is on the WinGS committee. WinGS stands for Women in God’s Service.

Patty is also the business owner of My Concierge LLC, an office consulting and bookkeeping firm. She loves helping people manage their back office and has no plans to retire. You can learn more about her business on her website:  www.MyConciergeLLCVa.com.

Transcript: https://www.happyscribe.com/transcriptions/7d62e6959e1141cfb1c65c4563cef0b7/edit