We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachel Word. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachel below.

Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

The defining moment was my personal experience with postpartum depression. Once I was in a space to truly start healing, I could see my experience from a different perspective. As I’ve gotten further through that healing process, I’ve been able to really understand the complexities of a perinatal mood disorder. I know now that the resources I had available to me, are not available to all women. It lit a fire in me to help other people struggling with postpartum depression. That is why I became the director of health equity at Pretty Big Project. We believe that all moms should have access to the same life saving resources, so that we can all support each other and our families, and in turn our communities.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi! I’m Rachel, the director of health equity and outreach for a nonprofit organization called Pretty Big Project. I’m also a full-time physical therapist at a large hospital in Kansas City. Most importantly, I’m a mother to an amazing, goofy, sweet three year old. My son and I didn’t always have the beautiful bond that we do now. I was diagnosed with severe postpartum depression shortly after the birth of my son in March of 2021. It hit us all by surprise and was completely heartbreaking. I have a vivid memory of my husband and I dancing in the kitchen, and I kept looking at the same photo of him and I on our wedding day. I couldn’t help but think “I’m not that woman anymore. He didn’t marry me, he married her. Now he’s stuck with this shell of a wife.” I felt guilt in every aspect of my life. I knew that my family would be better off without me. I believed that my son deserved a better mom. It was a devastating time in our lives. I eventually met with an OBGYN who really listened to me, even when I wasn’t saying anything. She truly saved my life. I later found a perinatal psychiatrist and an amazing perinatal therapist. My husband continued to support me in the most inspiring way. My parents were so attentive to me and the best grandparents to our son. I truly had the best possible support system. Looking back now, I know that I would not have survived without every single person I just mentioned. And sadly, that’s not reality for a lot of women out there. That is why I do what I do with Pretty Big Project. We provide resources to women in need, who are going through hardships and possibly even postpartum depression. We have a partnership with BetterHelp, to provide women with 6 months of free therapy. We have hopes and plans to get involved in local NICUs and mother/baby units, where we can provide postpartum essentials and mental health resources. I’m really proud to be a part of Pretty Big Project because I believe so fiercely in what we stand for. I hope to continue our journey in supporting women, because I believe that it is women who empower our communities.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

It’s hard to pinpoint one specific story from my journey since it was all very difficult to navigate. I think the fact that I’m still here is the most beautiful illustration of my resilience. The relationship that I have with my son is unlike anything I could have imagined, especially because it was hard for me to imagine anything in the future at one point.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

If I could go back, I wouldn’t change anything. My experience with postpartum depression was horrible and I wish that it didn’t happen that way. However, because it did happen, I’ve been able to help others in similar situations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.prettybigproject.org
• Instagram: @prettybigproject

Image Credits

Sarah M Potter
Hallie Sigwing