Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Schuster
Hi Gina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I lost my husband Corey to suicide in 2019 when I was 42 years old. At the time our children were 13, 11, and 7. I found his body and had to be the one to notify our family, our children, and our friends. It was the most devastating thing that has ever happened in my life. When I picked myself up from the floor that day I knew I had a difficult fight ahead but I was determined to rebuild. I felt like not only had I lost my husband but I had lost a big piece of myself. I had been with Corey for 24 years and I no longer knew who I was without him. I lost my hopes and dreams for our future together. Fortunately within weeks of my loss I learned about a local widows group that started the same month he had died. I attended my first meeting and found connection and hope. There were women there who had been through the same thing and somehow were smiling again and living a happy life. I went to therapy on my own, my kids and I went to equine therapy together, I attended my support group meetings, and I leaned on family and friends for help. The first few years were about surviving and trying to be the best mom I could be to my kids. Slowly I started to smile again and feel the desire to move forward. I felt stronger, proud of my accomplishments, and a renewed sense of self. I began to feel grateful for my life and this second chance to find myself again. 3 years after my loss I decided to become a leader in the same widows group I attended shortly after my loss. I began mentoring widows who were new to this journey. I have participated annually in the Out of the Darkness walks to raise awareness about suicide and mental health. Today I genuinely feel happy and I am living a full life. My goal is to live a life big enough for both Corey and I.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. There have been a lot of tears and struggles along the way. I was dealing with my own grief as well as the grief of my 3 children. I have had to learn a lot of new things that my husband normally took care of like yard work and house repairs. In the early days I felt anxious, depressed, and overwhelmed. I feared I would never truly feel happy again. For a long time I did not recognize myself. I was so sad and I did not have the capacity to help others which is normally part of who I am. It seemed as if my pain was palpable and I could see the sadness in other people’s eyes when they looked at me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a medical social worker and I work in the hospital setting. I help patients through very difficulty times in their lives. I assist with mental health and substance abuse referrals. I assist with life transitions to assisted living or a nursing home. I handle adult and child abuse cases. I help with end of life care discussions and decisions. I am proud of the knowing compassionate care I give my patients and their families. I think my kindness, calmness, and empathy set me apart. I try to give what I would want for myself or one of my family members.
The most important job I have though is being a solo parent to my children. I have tried my best to give them the life that Corey and I wanted for them. I have worked hard to provide stability and support. We have carried on the traditions from their early childhood and still been able to take vacations together.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Dancing with my mom and my siblings in our living room. My mom would put on music for us and we would hold hands and dance together. I remember laughing and smiling and feeling pure joy.
