I first officially met Grace Bruce Morton as the midwife in charge at the Tema General Hospital. I was a pregnant teenager with my first pregnancy and was admitted with a diagnosis of Vascular Occlusive Sickle Cell Crisis (VOSCC) to the Obstectrics. and Gynae Emergency of the Hospital in crises. At the time of my admission, I was worried and scared that the nurses were going to scold me like others I had encountered, but Auntie Grace was there to deal with my fears.

Realizing that my condition was critical, Aunt Grace did everything possible to convince other midwives about the need to give me every extra care and support possible to ensure my early recovery and the safety of my unborn baby. Aunt Grace took it upon herself to be that midwife and the mother I never had during my moments of distress. She went out of her way to give me emotional, psychological, social, and gynecological support in a compassionate way when I had lost all hope of support. Whenever I reflect on my pregnancy experience, I sometimes wonder how it is common for any individual midwife to be so compassionate and supportive. Aunt Grace and myself, easily established a strong rapport and therapeutic relationship. For me, she became the mother I never had.

Aunt Grace took it upon herself to make me feel valued and did everything possible to get me transfused since I had run short of blood. I got to know that, even when she was on afternoon duty, she made sure that I got my breakfast, and encouraged me to take other meals I had never dreamt of taking. She assigned a junior midwife to me, but I remember telling her that I didn’t feel comfortable with any other midwife. The more she tried to explain the need for her team to be part of my care, the more I cried, fearing she was going to leave me to die. Indeed, she had become my mother sent from heaven.

Armed with my residential address, Madam Grace took it upon herself to go and search for my mother, family, siblings, and the gentleman responsible for the pregnancy. After engaging them for about a week, she came to tell me that, they had had a change of mind and they had promised to visit me. Indeed, finally, my family and my child’s father started to visit, and that gentleman accepted responsibility for my pregnancy, all due to efforts by Madam Grace.

I can say that Madam Grace was an Angel sent my way from heaven and I shall never forget about how excellent she had handled me. I am now a happy mother of a bouncing baby because of her. I can now eat and sleep very well. Before my discharge after 3 weeks of admission, Aunt Grace sat with me and my family members to give us some health education and counseling on the need for me to continue my antenatal visits. She encouraged me to focus on my future, what to do to avoid sex before marriage, and how I must use family planning methods after my successful delivery in case I still want to engage in intercourse. Before I left the hospital, I made up my mind to pursue my dream of forging an independent and brighter future. Thanks to Aunt Grace.