Our NeedsExceptional Journey:

By Dr. Mary H. Jones, MD, FAAP

AUGUST 13TH, 2020, IS A DAY THAT WILL BE EMBLAZONED IN MY MEMORY FOREVER. THIS WAS THE DAY MY FAMILY OF SEVEN MADE A MOVE THAT CHANGED OUR LIVES—LITERALLY. THIS WAS THE DAY WE EMBARKED ON A JOURNEY THAT WOULD TAKE US FROM OUR FAMILIAR HOME IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, TO OUR NEW AND VERY DIFFERENT ONE IN LAS TERRENAS, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

it seemed like a crazy experiment headed for doom. We didn’t plan it this way, but…COVID-19! I am pretty sure a lot of us could have said this about August 2020. We were all forced to rearrange our lives, either putting them on hold or speeding up pre-pandemic plans.

I know it sounds insane. But this move was everything my family needed. Even before the pandemic, we had become burnt out. Too much work and too many activities that necessitated too many hours in the car had us exhausted. Most nights, we ate dinner in the car or at a fast-food restaurant. In 2019, after visiting Las Terrenas and falling in love with the pace and tranquility, my husband and I decided to buy a vacation home there. By December of that year, we had not only purchased this home but decided to make a radical move and live there permanently with our growing family. The pace is slower, and the vibe is relaxed. We felt it would be a great place to raise our kids and reconnect as a family.

Don’t get me wrong. The kids HATED the idea at first! There was weeping and gnashing of teeth to Biblical proportions, especially by our oldest child. But, even with all the teenage angst, my husband and I decided to forge ahead with the plan.

The logistics, as you might imagine, were crazy with a capital C. Especially with both countries being shut down for most of 2020. Even without all of that, it was a huge undertaking to move a family the size of ours (plus two dogs) to another country.

An additional complication of our move is that one of our children has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and three others are diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I am a pediatrician, and my husband is also a physician. So, piece of cake, right? Not so much. I began to research before our move on how to make the transition between the great schools and services available in Birmingham to new ones in the Dominican Republic as seamless as possible. This was no easy task since we were only basic Spanish speakers at the time, and very little English was spoken in our town. We needed to find a school, a doctor, and a way to get medication for the kids who needed it in another language!

The learning curve was steep, but it was completely worth every second. We have become so much closer as a family. My children are each thriving in their own ways. They have been able to make their own friends, grow roots here, and maintain ties to the US. My husband and I have been so blessed to be able to provide this opportunity for them.

This move may have seemed crazy and reckless to some, like a disaster waiting to happen especially because it was in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic! Add in the fact that our children had never been to the island until the day we landed;

The pace is the most important difference between our lives here and in the US. We have been able to slow down enough to notice what each child needs, likes, and gravitates towards. We have been able to nurture their natural abilities and talents so much more, as well as work to smooth any rough edges that come about. One big thing that has come to light is the differ- ence in each child’s learning styles. Because the schools here are smaller, we have been able to tailor their education to suit them. We are doing both virtual and in-person options depending on the child. This would have been difficult to pull off in the US.

Right now, after almost three years here, we are very happy we embarked on this amazing adventure with our family. We would not hesitate to do it again. This type of radical move isn’t for every family; every situation is different. But I hope our story will inspire others to think differently about what is possible.

Want to learn more about our family and how we are adjusting? Please stay tuned for part two of this article coming soon!

Dr. Mary H. Jones, MD, FAAP, is a physician and PCCI-trained life and leadership coach. She believes there is greatness in each of us and is passionate about equipping and empowering women to reach their fullest potential. Throughout her life and career, she has had the privilege of working to empower and equip women and girls to be their best selves. Each day, Dr. Jones has had the privilege of spending time coaching amazing women who are reaching their goals and fulfilling a compelling vision for their lives. Her vision is to see women living out their purpose and effecting change in their own spheres of influence.