Brittany Bergara is the mother of three children and works full-time as a massage therapist,  balancing OTA studies and the busy life of a mom. She has always been passionate about healing, and her background in massage therapy has given her a deep respect for the body’s resilience. She will transition those skills into Occupational Therapy to help others regain their independence. Her goal is to work with veterans to help them gain their independence back.

Brittany was widowed in 2024, after spending 17 years with her childhood sweetheart and husband. Her journey is deeply rooted in the life she built with her husband. Since his passing, Brittany has become more determined than ever to honor the life they built together and provide a strong future for their children. This degree is her way of showing their children that even in the face of profound loss, we can persevere and build a meaningful future.

What is your passion and mission in life?

Losing my husband and becoming a single mom has been the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through. But it also made my life’s mission crystal clear: to raise my kids to be the best people they can be. For the past six years, I was a stay-at-home mom, with my world centered on my family. Now, my passion for helping others is driving me to build a new life for us. I’m doing this by finding my way with courage and strength, showing my children that even after a great loss, we can keep going and build a bright future.

What was your biggest hardship and how did you overcome it?

When my husband passed away suddenly, I was scared and lost. My biggest fear was how I could be both a mom and a dad, a full-time worker, and the one who kept our family steady. Our life went from being a team effort to a solo one overnight. I had to quickly jump back into the workforce. As a massage therapist before I had kids, I rushed to get my license back and started working again. It was a huge change from being a stay-at-home mom, and I was faced with the immense challenge of carrying all the emotional weight and financial stress alone. It was a lot to handle, but I knew I couldn’t let my fear win. I had to get past it for my kids.

To get through it, I took charge of my life and our future. I enrolled in school full-time for occupational therapy assisting (OTA), while also working full-time as a massage therapist. This wasn’t an easy choice, as it meant giving up most of my free time and accepting a daily struggle, but I knew that getting this education was the best way to give my family a good life. My motivation is deeply personal. My husband was a veteran with a 100% disability rating, and I saw firsthand how much support he needed. I want to use my new career to help other veterans or children with special needs. This journey has taught me to be super organized and creative. I’ve learned to manage my time well, lean on my friends and family for help, and remember my purpose every single day. The exhaustion is real, but my kids’ love and smiles are what keep me going. Their resilience gives me the strength to push through long nights of studying after a full day of work.

How has this adversity affected pregnancy and raising children?

This hardship has completely changed how I approach my life and my family. My husbands passing made me the sole parent, and it also made me realize I want to pour all my energy into the children I already have. The loss was a turning point, and I have made the conscious decision to not have more kids of my own. I want to fully dedicate myself to them, to make sure they feel safe and loved, and not feel the emptiness from losing their dad at such young ages. I want to teach them that it’s okay to be sad, but it’s also important to be tough. My hard work-juggling school and work-is meant to show them the importance of not giving up and that they can get through anything in life. My goal is to raise kids who are not defined by their loss, but who are inspired by it to be caring, strong, and determined people.

Maeband is excited to inspire and encourage all moms to succeed by helping them through our Scholarship for Moms. A new mom is picked every semester to receive the Maeband Scholarship. You can read HERE who is eligible and how you can apply.