When Temika took the stage at Tapestry 360 Health’s Blueprint for a Healthier Future Gala, her story moved every person in the room. Here is her story.

Uncrumbled.

By Temika Barnes

My survival bag became too heavy to carry.

At just 15 years old, I became a mother. I kept pushing my pain deep down, trying to be strong, but eventually everything I had buried demanded my attention. I didn’t know how to cope.

Back when Tapestry 360 Health was still Heartland Health Centers, I walked through those doors carrying nothing but exhaustion, physical pain, emotional pain, and emptiness. I felt like a crumbled piece of paper—still trying to live for others while secretly fighting to survive myself.

At 17, I faced the unimaginable. My daughter was diagnosed with stage 3 neuroblastoma just after we had celebrated her first birthday. Doctors told me she would never walk again. But I refused to believe that. I took her hand and became her physical therapist, her coach, her cheerleader.

And at five years old, she walked. She walked across her kindergarten stage. She walked again at her high school graduation. 

She is a stage 3 survivor and a warrior with special needs. And to her, I am a warrior too.

But even warriors need a circle.

My parents are my biggest supporters, but I needed more than family. I needed a place where I had a voice. A place where I felt human again—where I mattered not just because I was “strong,” but because I was me. Too often, people told me to “pull it together” because they needed me. 

But the truth was—I needed them too.

What I discovered is that people may admire your blessings without wanting to walk your path. They can cheer for you, but not always help you. 

Through it all, the love of God carried me—but I also needed healing here on Earth.

That’s when my Tapestry 360 Health provider, Melissa Sanko, stepped into my life. She gave me space to “uncrumble.” Her compassion reminded me of my “why.” And she didn’t just give me care—she gave me a circle.

A circle that included Lindsey, my psychiatrist, Kara, my therapist at Trilogy, my care manager Bonnie, who stayed on the phone with me on my hardest days, and Carolyn, my OT therapist, who even came to my home to help me face the world again.

A circle that included Amanda and Sreela in nutrition, making sure I had meals for my body and strength for my spirit. Julie Dunn from Trilogy, who helped me with my medication, paperwork, and doctor visits.

Every single one of them challenged me not just to survive, but to believe in my accomplishments. 

They helped me want to live this life more gracefully with my daughter. They reminded me that together, we could break generational curses.

And that’s what Tapestry 360 Health gave me: not just care, but community. Not just treatment, but hope.

So tonight, 

If you take one thing away from my story, let it be this: go to the doctor. Don’t rely only on Google, and don’t put all of your struggles on your family and friends. 

Your mental and physical health matter—not just for you, but for the people who love you.

Because of my circle at Tapestry 360 Health, I can stand here today, still on this beautiful journey with my daughter. Still breaking curses. Still believing. Still living.

Thank you.

Temika’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing your mental health and keeping up with regular medical visits. So often, we wait until we’re in crisis to ask for help — but healing starts with prevention, support, and connection.

At Tapestry 360 Health, care goes beyond checkups. It’s about creating a safe space for every patient to share their story and receive the full-circle support they need to thrive.

Temika’s strength — and her daughter, Alexis’s pride — embody what we strive for every day: helping families not just survive, but truly heal and flourish.

If you or someone you love is struggling, reach out. Prioritize your mental health, schedule your next appointment, and remember: you are not alone.