On Monday, September 21, 2015, mental health counselor Sue Tapia was recognized by her client Dawn Henderson, for helping her through the most challenging time of her life.
"Four years ago, I was a mess," Henderson said. "I didn't want to go on."
Back on September 7, 2011, Henderson's fiancée Ricky, died of an accidental drug overdose at their home.
"I was kind of lost at that point," Henderson said. "And that's when I found Sue."
Tapia started helping Henderson right after her fiance's death. The two hit it off and soon became very close. Now, Tapia picks Henderson up for every one of their counseling sessions. Henderson surprised Tapia on Monday, as Tapia was coming to pick her up. Tapia received $300 from News 8 and Ascentra Credit Union.
Henderson says that without Tapia, she would not even be here today. At one point in her life, she was suicidal, but it's people like Tapia and her baby grandson Kahamani, that keep her going.
"I'm here to be able to see my grand baby grow, and without her, like I said, I wouldn't be."
Tapia says that Henderson is a much more empowered woman now who knows her life will be even better in the future. Now, Henderson sees the solutions to her problems where before, she could not. Because of their strong bond, Kahamani and Henderson will likely be seeing Tapia, for many sessions to come.
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