I am Woman – Cami Dellamore

As a young child I would often peek over the armchair of the sofa to watch her. She had a mesmerizing talent for drawing lifelike portraits and crafting creative lettering. Her presence filled me with bewilderment and admiration. I loved the times when she was around: the scent of her clean-curly hair, the gentle tone of her voice, and the comforting feeling of her presence at home. My twin sister and I adored her, watching her closely whenever she was with us. Our dad married her mom when we were almost four and she was eleven. This is when my twin sister and I gained a “big sister” and we all became a loving, blended family.

Her story, however, differs from my memories. For me, she was the older sister I eagerly awaited to see every other weekend during my visits to my dad’s house. I didn’t fully grasp the complexities of her life when she wasn’t around. Over time, I’ve learned more about where she was during those absences and how she was transforming into the remarkable woman and mother she is today.

Cami is I am Woman, and this is her story…

“Women’s intuition is a real thing. Women should learn to trust their gut. If you feel like something is off, then something probably is off and you should investigate. If you feel like you know the answer to something, you should speak up and own your knowledge.” -Cami

Cami’s journey to success as a marketing coordinator, devoted wife, and loving mother of two, has been evidence of her resilience and determination. Yet, her path was not without obstacles.

Throughout her formative years, Cami faced numerous hurdles. Despite her parents’ earnest attempts to guide her, Cami found herself caught in the grips of a meth drug addiction, and a turbulent adolescence. Reflecting on her past experiences, she openly acknowledges the challenges she endured, emphasizing that she “went through hell as a kid.” As a teen and young adult, Cami said all she wanted to do was drugs.

“I should have died with all the trouble I got into… But there was a reason I was meant to keep living.”

After years of addiction, despair loomed over her, casting doubt on the road ahead. Then one day, a glimmer of hope pierced through the darkness. In an unexpected moment, Cami was taken aback by the possibility – she might be pregnant.

After a few weeks, she reached out to her family, and her mother accompanied her to a doctor’s appointment. Seeing her growing baby alive, moving inside her with a strong heartbeat, ignited a sense of love and protectiveness within her. She knew she had to change for the sake of her unborn child.

“That’s when I turned to prayer. What else could save me? I prayed daily, on my knees, crying and pleading for help. And help came in ways I couldn’t yet comprehend.”

With gentle, yet raw, emotion, Cami emphasizes her inner strength and determination. She refused to relinquish the chance to raise her son herself and left drugs behind forever.

Moving back in with her parents, she shared a modest basement bedroom with her newborn son. Gradually, she transitioned into her own apartment, enrolled in government assistance for support, began her pursuit of a dual degree in Marketing and Business Management, while simultaneously raising her young son and working a full-time job.

Despite these early struggles, Cami made the courageous decision to take control of her life and pursue a brighter future. Supported by her unwavering resolve, she embarked on a journey of personal growth. Without realizing all that was on the horizon, Cami was facing toward greatness. She maintained her momentum, and things continued to improve. She met her supportive husband, who quickly formed a bond with her young son and later adopted him after their marriage. Cami completed her college education in 2008, this time coinciding with the discovery of her pregnancy with her second child – a beautiful daughter.

For the past decade, she has been dedicated to the same company finding fulfillment in her job. At work, she participates in an employee resource group for women called EMERGE. In her male dominated field, EMERGE empowers women to continue learning and growing in their roles. She loves that her company supports such an amazing initiative for women, among many other opportunities to serve her colleagues and community. She also participates in a “Women in Construction” group that actively seeks opportunities for women to join the construction industry as well as network and expand their careers. Cami even had an opportunity to represent the group, and her company, on an episode of ABC 4’s Good Things Utah where she talked about women in the industry and encouraged them to join. Cami feels lucky to be part of so many new opportunities, never-ending learning, and continuous growth.

When asked why she thinks so much good came after these difficult times, she explains, “Praying so much, hard work, and karma.” Her advice to her kids and others now:

“Be as honest as possible with your kids, with everything you’ve seen and been through…Kids are tougher and more resilient than you think. Of course, there is a right age to share some of the tougher stuff, but you never know if your experience could change their perspective for the better. Let them know it’s ok to say no. You don’t have anything to prove to anyone. Be yourself and be proud of who you are. I missed out on a lot of my childhood because I didn’t say no out of fear I wouldn’t be accepted. I missed out on seven years of my life over drugs. That time was precious, and I should have enjoyed my family more. I missed out on camping with my family, and I damaged relationships. I damaged trust that took me years to earn back, and it wasn’t until after I proved I had really changed, after I proved I was making good choices, did I finally earn the trust back that I wanted.”

Cami’s primary focus is now on her family, particularly her children, whom she wants to raise showing compassion for others. As a Type 1 diabetic, diagnosed during her second pregnancy, her goal is to educate her children about the medical aspects of the condition but also instill in them a sense of empathy toward others. She emphasizes that many people face challenges that may not be visible to others, and urges her children to always be kind.

Living with Type 1 diabetes is a significant aspect of Cami’s life, but it doesn’t define her, just like her past mistakes do not define her. She works to educate others about the condition and continues to share her story with anyone interested in hearing it.

Cami hopes sharing her story of survival and the battle it took to get where she is will help someone else in their journey. She and her family are proud of her enduring efforts to be clean and clear of drugs for the past 22 years!

As a closing thought, Cami takes a moment to recognize her most influential role model.

“My mom! She is so strong. She worked so hard. She went through a lot too, but she always made sure we were safe, and did what she had to do to make sure we had a place to live and everything else we needed. I remember air-popped popcorn was a highlight of my younger brother’s life, probably because microwaved popcorn was too expensive. This was a fun family thing we’d do together. She always made time for us the best she could. She taught me how to be resourceful and have ‘mad skills!’ which I have used as an adolescent and adult. My mom is stronger than anyone I know. She displays that every day and she never gave up on me. The biggest lesson I learned from my mom is how to be resilient and to never give up on those you love.”