Single mother of five, Jenny Dodman, wasn鈥檛 just shocked when her cousin told her the news 鈥� she didn鈥檛 even believe it.
Behind the Lake Country resident鈥檚 back, Melinda Roth entered Dodman into the contest New Year New You on Black Press Media - a chance for a woman who works hard for her family and friends or is struggling with socioeconomic barriers to transition into a better phase of her life.
A waitress at a local Lake Country restaurant Dodman is raising five kids aged four to 19 with the help of family. She is also dealing with a recent family tragedy.
Her oldest daughter Shanna, who had been struggling with mental illness since she was 14-years-old, passed away while in visiting a friend in Alberta.
Dodman had moved to Alberta last February in hopes of helping her daughter Shanna with her mental health struggles, and she says they were on the right path.
鈥淪he got clean and she got help, but then I had to come back to B.C. for my littlest girl and her dad.鈥�
But then on Thanksgiving day, Dodman got the phone call no mother wants to receive 鈥� Shanna had passed away.
From Thanksgiving to Christmas and now to Valentines Day, life for Dodman and her family hasn鈥檛 been easy. Getting back on her feet mentally and physically after the loss of her daughter has been painful for Dodman, which is why her cousin felt she would be a perfect candidate for the Black Press Media contest.
鈥淚 think Melinda (cousin) felt I had given up a lot of things and made a lot of sacrifices,鈥� said Dodman. 鈥淪he says I put everyone before myself and she says this would be nice for me to have something for myself.鈥�
The prize includes, five sessions of Life Coaching or Counselling from Third Space Mind, a gym membership from Global Fitness, a membership to SpinCo, a style session with KimXO- one of Canada鈥檚 top fashionistas, hair and make-up styling, money for clothing and a wellness package.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 get breaks, good things don鈥檛 usually happen to me,鈥� said the mother of five. 鈥淚 am very humbled, I am very grateful, but this is a lot of attention. I feel like I don鈥檛 deserve it.鈥�
But, if you ask Dodman鈥檚 best friend Tara Stewart, the working mother deserves this prize more than anything.
鈥淪he puts everyone ahead of herself, she is always helping everyone else and she always comes across as the strong one even though deep down I bet she doesn鈥檛 feel strong,鈥� explained Steward. 鈥淪he has been through a lot her whole life, so she really could use this.鈥�
Dodman will start her counselling sessions as soon as possible and then plans on hitting the gym before her makeover with Kim XO.
鈥淚 hope to get some of my peace back, especially with the counselling,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been a mom since I was 18-years-old, so I haven鈥檛 made a lot of time for myself. The fact that this is all for me, is really empowering.鈥�
Be sure to follow Black Press Media for updates on Dodman and her progress.
jen.zielinski@bpdigital.ca
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