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Settle in folks, because here’s some backstory even most of my friends don’t know.
In July of 2015 my husband got laid off from his job the same week my post-doc ended. We had 3 kids (age 1, 1 and 10) and suddenly had zero income. 1/n https://twitter.com/DrWendyRocks/status/1333756788697665537
In July of 2015 my husband got laid off from his job the same week my post-doc ended. We had 3 kids (age 1, 1 and 10) and suddenly had zero income. 1/n https://twitter.com/DrWendyRocks/status/1333756788697665537
He started interviewing at every potential job in the country. I started looking as well. My husband found a potential job in Annapolis but it paid < 1/3 what his old job paid. He took it anyway; we didn’t have a choice. 2/n
In August, we moved across the country with 3 kids, 2 cats and a dog. We moved into a rental house we’d never seen in a town we’d never visited where we knew no one. We sold a car to help finance the move, so I was at home with 2 babies all day while my partner was at work. 3/n
3 years of infertility treatment along with court costs for getting custody of my step-daughter had wiped out most our savings. So now we were a family of 5 living on less than $50k a year. It was hard. Really, really hard. 4/n
We borrowed money from family. We cut every possible corner. I started working odd jobs - anything I could do from home. I started doing editing, became a notary, monetized my blog - anything I could to help make ends meet. 5/n
Right before we moved I found out that the IRIS position was open. I had reached out to the person that used to have the position as well as the hiring supervisor. I applied for the job. It was one of over 300 jobs I applied for (and the only job offer I got). 6/n
I interviewed for the job in October. Weeks went by and I didn’t hear anything. I was having daily panic attacks but couldn’t afford to go to the doctor. I got the call that I’d gotten the job in the middle of November, and the relief was so profound I can’t describe it. 7/n
I can’t explain how wonderful it was to get this job. Not just a paycheck (but also OMG thank god a paycheck!!!!) but a job I *wanted* doing what I *wanted to do*. It really felt like a miracle. And I love my job. Not every day, but most days. 
8/n
8/n
I share this story because I want to be transparent about struggling. So many of us have struggled in so many different ways (financially, emotionally, socially, etc) and we often hide it. We’re ashamed, or we don’t want to be a burden or whatever. 9/n
So here it is. I’m Wendy. I have PhD. I have an anxiety disorder. I suffer from infertility. I love my job. I have 3 kids, and 2 cats and a dog. I love margaritas. My family has struggled and we may struggle again. And that’s ok.
Keep in mind that right now LOTS of people are struggling. If you are able, please donate to a food bank - they are a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of people. https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
Be safe. Be kind. Thanks for reading.
Be safe. Be kind. Thanks for reading.
