In this heartfelt interview, we speak with Amy Figueroa, a mother who turned her devastating loss into a mission to help other women find work-life balance. Amy shares her story of losing her fifth child to Trisomy 13 and how this experience led her to create a business that empowers mothers to work from home.
Amy’s Loss Story:
In 2017, Amy was seven months pregnant with her fifth child when doctors discovered something was wrong with the baby’s heart. After further testing, including amniocentesis, it was determined that the baby had Trisomy 13. Amy’s daughter, Catherine, was born but sadly passed away just six hours after birth.
The Aftermath:
Amy describes the shock of losing her daughter so quickly and the lack of support she received from the medical system afterward. She was sent home without postnatal care or resources to help her cope with her grief.
Coping with Grief:
To deal with her depression, Amy focused on taking small, manageable steps each day. She started with simple tasks like showering or getting dressed, gradually building new habits that helped her move forward.
Impact on Family:
Amy shares the difficult experience of telling her other children about their sister’s passing and how she struggled with feelings of guilt while simultaneously grieving her loss.
A New Direction:
Losing Catherine made Amy realize she wanted to spend more time with her surviving children. This led her to explore ways to work from home, ultimately launching her virtual assistance business.
Building a Business to Help Others:
Amy’s business grew quickly, and she soon began helping other women start their own virtual assistance careers. She created affordable programs to teach others how to get started in this field.
Advice for Returning to Work:
For those who must return to work after a loss, Amy suggests being proactive by sending an email to colleagues beforehand and setting boundaries for what you’re comfortable discussing.
The Virtual Assistant Business:
Amy explains that virtual assistants perform various tasks for businesses remotely, from administrative work to digital marketing and graphic design. She helps women use their existing skills to enter this growing industry.
Balancing Work and Family:
Amy offers practical tips for mothers working from home, such as utilizing nap times, creating “busy bags” for young children, and scheduling work around school or independent activities for older kids.
Amy emphasizes the importance of seeking help and support after a loss. She recommends connecting with someone who has been through a similar experience, as they can truly understand the challenges of grief.
Amy’s story is a powerful example of how tragedy can lead to transformation. Through her business, Vital Virtual Assistance, she’s not only created a better life for herself and her family but is also helping other mothers do the same.
Jennifer Senn is a certified life coach who is also a bereaved mom of twin girls born at 32 weeks. She helps stillbirth moms let go of guilt, process their grief, and figure out what’s next for their future. You can learn more about her and schedule a free support session at jennifersenn.com.
