Leslie Bangamba | How A Mother Navigated Her Daughter’s Accident & Found New Purpose
by Neha Ruch
Leslie Bangamba is a woman whose strength is only outshined by her energy. Leslie and I were introduced by a mutual friend - not being the type to exchange basic pleasantries on e-mail, Leslie sent a video message that brightened my day, beginning a chain of voice and video notes over recent weeks. During that time, I’ve come to follow closely her work on advocacy - a journey that began last year after youngest daughter experienced a traumatic event swallowing a battery triggering a massive and ongoing health battle. Leslie shares how that led to a pivot from public-sector work into advocacy for child safety, how that fits into the day to day of motherhood and what has kept her feeling intact during the unimaginable events of the last year. Learn from Leslie, below.
1. You and I met because of advocacy right now - how did you find yourself in this work alongside motherhood?
It was never in my plans to become a Child Safety Advocate. I enjoyed my career very much in the public sector and was gearing up to return to work after my maternity leave. My daughter's incident turned my life upside down. Amélie accidentally ingested a Lithium Coin Battery that would have her transported by ambulance to our local hospital and later transported to the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton, AB, Canada. Amélie suffered a double cardiac arrest, underwent an emergency open-heart surgery and was connected to a heart-lung bypass machine. Her esophagus, trachea, aorta, and left carotid artery were all ruptured and would require extensive repair; she received over 4.2 L of blood transfusions, suffered a stroke, and last but not least, bleeding outside of the brain.
As a Child Safety Advocate, I always find it important to list the trauma she suffered for the reader to know the extent of damage one battery caused. This small coin-sized battery nearly killed my daughter, and even with intensive medical intervention, we did not know if she would survive. Amélie had to re-learn via intensive rehabilitation how to move the right side of her body that had been affected by the stroke, re-learn how to stand on her own, re-learn how to walk, and is still re-learning how to swallow safely. She is currently primarily fed via a gastrointestinal tube (tube that brings nutrients directly to her stomach) and has a specialized team monitoring her recovery progress.
I found myself in the work of Child Safety Advocacy for five initial reasons in no particular order. I was determined to educate parents/guardians of young children on keeping their children and homes safe from a regular household item. I wanted to ensure no other child suffered the same trauma that Amélie has gone through or worse. Third, while she was hospitalized, I promised God that I would raise awareness if she could survive this injury. Also, there isn't much diversity in the Child Advocacy space, and I knew I must take up space. Lastly, my daughter now required medical needs that didn't allow me to return to work full-time, nor could I find adequate child care (add on a pandemic) that ensured I could return to work with peace of mind.
2. I can't imagine the fear and pain after Amélie’s incident and the resulting injuries, what perspectives, advice or habits kept you grounded?
Before Amélie’s incident, I had distanced myself from my faith. It was in those dark and lonely moments where I had nowhere else to turn to but my faith. The habit of prayer and practicing gratitude daily really helped and has helped keep me grounded. As for perspectives, I’m fortunate to have a strong sisterhood of women in my life that consistently offer me great perspectives, consistently lift me up, and give me a reality check when needed.
3. I was drawn to your energy that radiates warmth and positivity even though I know you're holding a lot given the health of your daughter and homeschooling your older boys during the pandemic. What rituals or practices help you connect to and maintain that energy?
I’m so humbled by this statement. I genuinely strive to be kind to all because you never know what someone is going through. I wish I could be introspective with this response, but my ritual is quite simple. I communicate. I’m the type of individual who needs to let it out, and sometimes out LOUD so that it does not take up permanent residence in my head. I also love a good dance party solo or with the kids that has helped keep me sane during this pandemic. I’m also actively unlearning to release my yearning for perfectionism because it simply does not exist!
4. Tactically speaking, how do you make room for the work you are doing alongside raising your three kids?
I make room for the work I do while raising three children by being intentional and setting realistic expectations of myself. My partner is very hands-on, even though he works shift work. On the days that he is away from home, I set my expectations relatively low as I know I have no support with the children. When he is home, we work together as a team, but I have more freedom to time block hours in the day to accomplish certain tasks. Depending on the day, I may work late into the evening, and I have peace of mind knowing I will not wake up with the children. At the forefront, I aim to be flexible with myself because I am still figuring it all out.
5. You've found purpose in the pain of this last year and it is a true inspiration (in the least cliché of ways). What are your goals in the year to come and how can this community of women support you and the work you are doing?
My goals for the year to come are to continue to raise awareness on how to keep children safe from lithium coin batteries and button batteries, champion causes that are near to my heart, such as donating to specialized children’s hospitals and highlighting the importance of blood donation. I intend to continue seeking and obtaining opportunities that allow me to grow as an individual in the advocacy space and continue to grow inward. I’m a multi-faceted woman, and I’ve enjoyed showing those sides of me as an Influencer. At the forefront of all I do, I always question the intent. Will this educate? Will this bring joy? Will this bring connection? In regards to support from this wonderful group of women. Sharing our story means the world to me because, unfortunately, children are still being injured by Lithium Coin Batteries & Button Batteries, and sadly, some succumb to their injuries. One child dying is too many, so I know that I have my work cut out for me in continuing to raise awareness.
I would be remiss not to mention these four important tips.
Know what utilizes a Lithium Coin Battery & Button Battery in your home as they are typically found in toys, remotes, car key fobs, calculators, musical greeting cards, and many other household items.
Whenever you replace your batteries, make sure that the battery compartments in all of your household items are secure and follow the guidelines for the safe disposal of old batteries
When batteries are removed from device(s), ensure batteries are locked in a secure container and placed in a safe location that children cannot access.
Check with your local municipality to see if they have a battery collection program or find a mail-in recycling program that accepts batteries.
Quick Chit Chat:
+ Product you'd gift every mother
Product I would gift every mother would be the book titled “After the Rain - Gentle Reminders for Healing, Courage, and Self-Love” by Alexandra Elle. This book has been very impactful on me in the last year and not just because of the trauma I went through, but I feel that when women become mothers we really do forget ourselves. This book is filled with stories and affirmations that will speak to you, and when combined with the “In Courage Journal”, it has been a great way for me to reconnect with myself at the beginning and end of my day.
+ Favorite family routine that keeps things smooth
The routine that keeps things smooth is to ensure all the children have had a bath before 6:00 pm. I find dinner time less chaotic, and then we gently ease into bedtime routines. This has also been easier to upkeep because of the pandemic with no after school activities.
+ 3 Instagram accounts that inspire you
In no particular order I enjoy interacting with @growingwiththeeshuns her family is beautiful and I love her captions, @alex_elle for the affirmations (I love affirmations - can you tell?), and @coach.carey because she is always educating in the most gentle way and radiates joy!
You can follow along with Leslie on Instagram.
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