Family Genogram and Reflection

Mysticka Robinson

Dr. Cagle

SOWK 312

University of South Carolina

Generations and Generations

At the very beginning, on my paternal side is my great-grandmother Clementine who was

born in 1941 and my great-grandfather Frederick who was born in 1937. Sadly, my paternal

great-grandmother passed in 2012 and my great-grandfather in 1998. Then on my maternal side

is my great-grandmother Clara who was born in 1931 and my great-grandfather Hardin who was

born in 1930. Sadly, my maternal great-grandmother passed in 1996 and my great-grandfather in

2000. My paternal great-grandparents had my grandmother Fredericka, who was born in 1960,

and my maternal great-grandparents had my grandmother Elaine who was born in 1946. My

paternal great-grandmother also had another daughter named Rose-Ann, who was born in 1978,

with an unknown man. My maternal great-grandmother had a brother named Bobby, who was

born in 1947. Sadly, my uncle passed in 2011 shortly after retiring from the military.

In the next generation on my paternal side, I have my grandmother Fredericka. My

grandmother had a son, with a man who I was not able to find any information on. Their son is

Marlon who was born in 1974. My grandmother also had two daughters named Kyoto and

Chantal. My grandmother also had a daughter, Rose-Ann who got married to Tony Bolds. The

marriage year is unknown. I was not able to get information on their fathers as well. Fredericka

is now married to my grandfather Bownes Middleton who was born in 1955. On my maternal

side, my grandmother Elaine had a daughter and son with Lucious who was born in 1954. My

mother was born in 1978 and my uncle Lucious was born in 1976. When my grandmother passed

in 1981, my grandfather remarried to Cornelia who was born in 1948. My grandmother had a

daughter named Shaunteh who was born in 1974. My grandfather adopted her daughter, and my

grandmother Connie adopted my mother and uncle. Sadly, my grandfather passed in 2000

shortly after retiring from the military. My uncle passed away eleven years later in 2011.
 In the next generation, on my paternal side I have my father and three aunts. My first

aunt, Rose had two sons and a daughter, Dale born in 1989, Jessica born in 1990, and Jovon born

in 1992. My second Aunt Kyoto has two sons, Jayden born in 2007 and Brian Jr born in 2010.

My third Aunt Chantal has a son and a daughter, Dominic born in 2003 and Angelia born in

2013. On my maternal side I have my mother and my aunt and two uncles. My aunt Shaunteh

has one daughter, Kianna born in 1992. My first uncle Bobby has one son and three daughters.

Unfortunately, I was not able to get more information on who they were and their backgrounds.

My second uncle Lucious has one daughter, Elaine born in 2013. My parents, Equett & Marlon

got married in 2002 and had four children. Starting with myself who was born in 1996, my

brother Romello who was born in 2000, and my twin sisters Tamia and Marlena who was born in

2005.

Family & Me

My place in my paternal family system would be in the second to last generation. I was

the first granddaughter, niece, and daughter to my father on my paternal side. My place in my

maternal family system would be in the third to last generation. I was the second granddaughter,

second niece and first daughter to my mother on my maternal side. My mother was actually

supposed to have another daughter before me, but due to complications she was not able to carry

her to full term and had a miscarriage. When it comes to the influence on my family members,

on my paternal side, I was the reason my two aunts wanted a daughter. I was always told that I

was their baby growing up and that I would go everywhere with them. I did not have much

influence on my mother’s side of the family. Once she got adopted into her stepmother’s family,

she became estranged with them. My role in the family is always the caretaker, provider at times,

the chauffeur, the errand-runner, temporary aunt, sister, temporary mother, teacher, and so much
more. Once my paternal great-grandmother passed, I became the glue that holds the family

together. I planned out all of the family gatherings, vacations, and even holidays.

Mental & Physical Disabilities

Coming from a large family, both sides come with a lot of personal baggage. On my

paternal side, there are diagnosis of depression, anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder),

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), OCD (overly compulsive disorder), Paranoia,

Hypochondria, Autism, and BED (binge eating disorder). On my maternal side, there are

diagnosis for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, OCD, and BED. Out of

all of these mental health disabilities, I have been diagnosed with 5 of them. My diagnosis is for

depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The depression, anxiety,

PTSD, OCD, and BED were inherited from both my mother and father. On my paternal side,

they run as far back as his great grandfather side of the family. On my maternal, they run as far

back as my bio-grandmother’s side of the family. My body dysmorphia is something that was not

inherited. And the bipolar disorder I inherited from my maternal side of the family from my

mother and great-aunt.

When it comes to physical disabilities, I come from a large background of this as well.

My maternal side suffers from ovarian cysts, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, prostate

cancer, brittle bone disease, diabetes, sickle cell, eczema, psoriasis, and glaucoma. There are

breathing complications which caused asthma. My paternal side suffers from prostate cancer,

colon cancer, fibroids, and ovarian cysts.

Substance Abuse

My family does not have a long line of substance abuse. On my maternal side, my great-

uncle had a drinking problem, and he also did cocaine and marijuana. But he became sober in
2018 when he went blind from all of the health complications from his substance abuse. My

other uncle also had a drinking problem as well. He took down his alcohol intake a lot since

2012 when he became a grandfather. My grandfather also developed a drinking problem once he

retired from the military. On my paternal side, my current grandfather had a drinking problem,

but he became sober in 2015. My great-grandmother had a nicotine addiction, but she stopped in

2003 due to health complications. My parents are currently nicotine uses who are in the process

of quitting to better their health.

Education & Accomplishments

On my maternal side, my mother graduated high school along with getting a degree and

becoming a CMA. My adopted aunt graduated high school and received many degrees and

became a lawyer to the President of the United States. My grandfather served in the US Army

and fought in World War II. My uncle served in the US Army and fought in the Vietnam War

and the Gulf War as well. On my paternal side, my aunt graduated high school and college and is

now a CAN. My cousin graduated high school and college and is now an account for the City of

Columbia. My father graduated high school, had many jobs in between, but he is now a

Merchant Seaman working for the Navy. My aunt graduated high school and got two degrees in

education and is now a Special Education teacher. My grandfather served in the US Army and

fought in World War II.

Strengths & Resiliencies

My family history has not been the neatest or the most outstanding. Most get to high

school and do not graduate. Whereas some were not given the opportunity because they had to

care for their family. No matter the education or lack of experience, my family is always able to

take care of their loved ones. No matter what it takes, no one will ever go without. Even if we
suffer a tragic loss, we also know how to come together to care for one another, so no one falls

through the cracks. When my grandmother Clementine passed, my family felt as if the world had

ended. Our main source of happiness had left us, and we did not know how to function. Once we

were able to grieve, we became celebrating her life. But I was still in shock. I cared for my

grandmother until she took her last breath. So, losing her felt as if I had lost so much more. But

my family made sure that I was able to cherish the time that I spent with her instead of holding

on to the grief of not having her anymore. The same when my uncle passed, my father side of the

family was there for my siblings and I along with my mother. They made sure to give us plenty

of love along with helping us celebrate his life instead of holding on to so much sorrow. If there

is one thing that I never have to question, it is my family. Whenever someone is in a tight space,

there is always someone who is willing to help. We understand that life is full of challenges, but

we will always remain flexible and willing to adapt to the change will supporting one another in

the process.

Impact on Social Work Practice

My family is a very large reason why I am taking the path that I am. They have shown

me so many different pathways of life and professions. Being able to experience them all

actually brought me to social work. Having experienced how their professions work made me

want to advocate more and more. I wanted to speak up for those whose voice was going

unheard. I wanted to be on the frontline making the changes that needed to come. I wanted to

be the one fighting for better representation and equality for everyone. Knowing the

background, I come from, I know to be mindful of how passionate I become. I know not to

make cases personal and to not make every circumstance relatable to myself. But I do know

that I must have compassion for those in need. Knowing that there is more to life than the
struggles forced on us due to society only drives me more. My family supports my dreams and

goals. They constantly support me when it comes to me with it comes to helping others

because it is something I have been doing since I was a little girl. I have always been

compassionate and concerned for others. Knowing that this is something that I am so

passionate about shows me that this is where I need to be. And given my personal experience, I

am also able to help provide and guide those to the proper resources needed.