When Paloma* arrived in care, her world felt loud, unpredictable, and overwhelming. Transitions were especially hard for her, and when confronted with new spaces and unknown expectations—such as at school—her emotions would erupt quickly and strongly. And when her anxiety spiked, so did her body. Flooded with racing thoughts, her fight or flight mode would trigger shallow breathing, and an intense, uncontrollable need to hide.
Paloma wanted to make it through an entire day without hiding. To help her achieve this goal, her FCNI therapist explored different tools and tactics with her. One idea that surfaced was to use donated dollars to purchase Paloma a special, therapeutic friend: a weighted stuffed toy in the shape of a cow. This soft sensory tool, designed to provide calming pressure when emotions feel unmanageable, seemed simple at first, but for Paloma, it became a lifeline.
One afternoon, Paloma was preparing to leave for a dental appointment. The change in her routine triggered intense anxiety. Her hands trembled and shoulders shook while her eyes searched frantically for a surface to dive under. Her FCNI worker gently placed the weighted cow across Paloma’s shoulders, allowing its steady pressure to settle in. Within minutes, Paloma’s breathing slowed and her body quieted. Paloma, calm enough to make eye contact with her worker, verbalized her feelings. And then, miraculous to herself, Paloma was able to walk out the door.
Moments like this are at the heart of healing. The weighted cow didn’t erase Paloma’s anxiety, but it gave her a tool and a pathway to self-regulation; to feeling safer in her own skin while also helping her move forward.
Because of your generosity, our care is tailored to meet each person’s individual needs on their individual journey. For Paloma, care took the form of a weighted cow giving her its steady presence and resounding message, “You’re not alone.”
*Names, details, and photos have been changed to protect confidentiality.
