What is the Pillars // Parents Project?
"Demographics" are at the core of many major news stories. Stories about immigration, economic growth, religion, rising prices, social security, international relations, and many other topics are heavily influenced by the number of children families are having. Historically, there was much hand-wringing in media about out-of-control population growth. But nowadays, you will find many more stories lamenting declining birth rates. We decided to investigate this issue at the local, individual level, by speaking to the people who are connected to this story in the deepest way: parents. By writing about parents in our communities — people who thanklessly undertake the essential, difficult, decades-long job of creating and raising the next generation — we can recognize them and add their stories to the public record. These "ordinary" people seldom get recognized by media!
By Cailyn Davis
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Every morning before sunrise, Shelika Pearson begins a routine that rarely slows down. By 7 a.m., she is already at work as a dialysis clinic technician, preparing machines and caring for patients with life-threatening kidney conditions. She will not return home until 5, 6, or sometimes even 7 p.m., depending on lab work and patient needs.
But when her shift ends, her responsibilities do not. Pearson, 52, is not only a full-time healthcare worker. She is also a mother, a caregiver to her own parent, and the financial backbone of her household juggling responsibilities that rarely allow her to pause.
“I learned early that nobody was going to hand me an easy life,” Pearson said. “Everything I have, I worked for while taking care of my family.”
A Life Built on Responsibility
Pearson has two children, including her daughter Cailyn Davis, who is currently in college. Supporting a college student while maintaining full-time employment has added financial pressure, especially as costs continue to rise across housing, transportation, and education. To help manage expenses, Pearson encouraged her daughter to take a caregiving job for additional income and even provided her with transportation support, upgrading her own vehicle so her daughter could reliably get to and from school.
“She even helped me get a caregiving job just so I would have some type of income,” Davis said. “And she gave me her old car so I could get back and forth to college without missing class.”
Despite the sacrifices, Davis said her mother never allows financial stress to affect how she shows up as a parent.
Early Motherhood and Family Struggles
Shelika Pearson became a mother for the first time at 18 when she gave birth to her son, Michael Broadnax. That early responsibility shaped much of her adult life and work ethic, as she learned to balance parenting with building financial stability from a young age. Broadnax is currently in rehab and was not available for interviews for this story. Despite the distance and challenges, Pearson’s family members say she continues to support him while also managing her job, her daughter’s education, and caregiving responsibilities at home.
Her father, Carl Jackson, said her commitment to family has never changed, even though difficult circumstances.
“She’s always been there for her kids no matter what,” Jackson said.
Caregiving Beyond Her Job
While Pearson’s professional life is centered around caring for patients, her caregiving does not stop when she leaves the clinic.
She also helps care for her father, Carl Jackson, who has faced significant mental health challenges.
“She has been taking care of me and kept me sober for almost 13 years after I burned my house down,” Jackson said. “If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know where I would be.”
Pearson’s mother, Joan Womack, described her daughter as someone who has consistently put others before herself, even during difficult times.
“I have watched her become this amazing mother,” Womack said. “She provides for her kids no matter if she has it or not.”
The Pressure of Bills and Responsibility
One of Pearson’s biggest struggles is financial pressure. Like many working parents in the United States, she faces the challenge of keeping up with bills while supporting children in school and managing household needs.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the cost of raising a child and paying for college-related expenses continues to rise faster than wages in many working-class households, especially for single-income families. At the same time, healthcare workers such as dialysis technicians often work long hours with modest pay relative to the emotional and physical demands of the job.
For Pearson, the combination of full-time work, parenting, and caregiving creates little room for rest.
“There are days when I’m exhausted,” she said. “But I just keep going because I know people depend on me.”
A Demanding Career in Healthcare
As a dialysis clinic technician, Pearson works directly with patients who rely on machines to survive. The job requires precision, emotional strength, and long hours on her feet. Dialysis care is one of the most demanding fields in healthcare support services, requiring workers to monitor patients, maintain equipment, and respond quickly to complications.
Even on difficult days, Pearson said her job reminds her of the importance of responsibility and patience values she also carries into her role as a mother.
Parenthood at the Center
Despite the stress, Pearson sees motherhood as her defining role. Her daughter described her as someone who always finds a way to provide, even during
uncertainty.
“She doesn’t really stop,” Davis said. “Even when things are hard, she makes sure we’re okay first.”
That sense of responsibility has shaped every part of Pearson’s life, from her career choices to her daily schedule. She often sacrifices personal comfort to ensure stability for her family.
The Bigger Picture
Pearson’s story reflects a broader national trend: parents, especially single caregivers, are increasingly balancing multiple jobs, rising costs, and family responsibilities. From housing expenses to college tuition and healthcare costs, many families are stretched thinly. Stories like Pearson’s highlight how economic pressure intersects with caregiving roles in everyday life.
Still, Pearson continues forward with a sense of purpose.
“I just try to do right by my kids and my family,” she said. “That’s what matters most to me.”