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From Grief to Growth: How Naima and Maia Found Strength Together
For the first few years of Maia's life, Naima was a typical grandparent—occasional visits to the house and babysitting when needed. Naima had only one child and was very close with her daughter, Maia’s mother. She was also very close with Maia's father, which meant she spent a lot of time with Maia. After Maia’s father passed away, Maia and her mother moved in with Naima for extra support.
Then, suddenly, everything changed. Maia’s mother passed away, leaving Naima to step into a new role—not just as a loving grandmother, but as Maia’s primary caregiver. Maia was almost five years old at the time.
The transition wasn’t easy. Naima had been a single parent before, so she had experience navigating the challenges of raising a child alone. But this was different. The grief was heavy, for both of them. "At the time, we were still grieving the passing of her father," Naima recalls. In just three years, Maia had lost both parents. Even at such a young age, she understood the finality of it all.
Financially, things became tighter. Naima had maintained steady employment, but the rising costs of raising a child, especially one as active as Maia, put a strain on her budget. Maia was involved in basketball, track, cross country, swimming, and Girl Scouts—activities Naima didn’t want her to miss out on just because of finances. So, she made sacrifices elsewhere to ensure Maia could participate in whatever she wanted.
Emotionally, the weight of responsibility was immense. Those first few months were filled with worries that still linger today. "I still have some of those, like what if something happens to me?" Naima wonders. She had to be everything for Maia now. Thankfully, she wasn’t entirely alone. Maia’s paternal grandmother remained a strong presence in her life, often helping with childcare. Still, Naima knew they needed more support.
A counselor’s referral led Naima to ISDD’s Project GRANDD program. "The transition process into ISDD was a breeze," she recalls. "I received a call from my new case manager at ISDD, and programming started what felt like immediately. It was such a miracle."
Through ISDD, Naima found resources she didn’t even know she needed. Parenting courses helped her adjust to raising a young child again. "It had been many years since I had a young child, so being around other grandparents, listening to their experiences, and asking questions was so helpful." Her case manager became an invaluable guide, particularly when navigating the complexities of Maia’s education. "IEP meetings were overwhelming at first, but my case manager helped me understand what to look for and what to ask for. I was really lost in that area before."
Maia, too, benefited tremendously. The tutoring provided through Project GRANDD helped her build study habits, stay organized, and gain confidence in school. "Her testing skills have improved significantly, and it’s reflected in her grades," Naima says. "She still needs help, but she’s improving."
Beyond academics, ISDD provided something just as valuable—connection. "When I take Maia to the support groups, she gets to be around other children who are in a similar situation. She knows these are kids also being raised by their grandparents." That sense of belonging eased the isolation Maia sometimes felt. "She has told me before that she feels like she’s the only one without parents. Almost everyone in her class has both parents involved, and she’s very aware of that." But at ISDD, she wasn’t alone. She was surrounded by people who understood.
As time has passed, Naima and Maia have found their rhythm. "We’ve been able to move further away from the trauma," Naima says. The grief is still there, but it no longer defines them. Looking ahead, Naima’s dreams for Maia are simple but powerful. She wants her to be happy. She wants her to feel confident in facing challenges, to always love and care for herself. "She’s going to be successful. Whatever she puts her mind to, she will do well."
And for herself, Naima hopes to always be the steady, loving presence Maia needs. "I want to always love and care for the person that I am. To be resourceful and overcome challenges. To be a loving and supportive, steady, consistent person for Maia."
Maia, with her big heart and even bigger personality, brings light into every room. "She has her own way of looking at life. She’s sincere, empathetic, and always wants to make people laugh. I even had to buy a joke-a-day calendar for the kitchen because she loves starting her day by making people smile." If there’s one thing that makes Naima proudest, it’s Maia’s resilience. "She is herself, and that’s enough to make me proud every single day."
When asked what keeps her going, Naima doesn’t hesitate. "Because I love her. And I would do anything for Maia. She is everything to me."