“My heart was shattered the day I was released from the hospital without my son. I prayed my sweet boy would be in caring hands.”
Sonia Beltz
‘Is your grandmother’s name Joanne?’ Her mouth dropped. I felt like I knew her my whole life.’: Mom discovers unexpected connection to son’s NICU nurse
‘I want to give this toy to them.’ I couldn’t believe my ears.’: Mom shares daughter’s act of kindness, offers advice on raising kids full of ‘kindness and gratitude’
“I still remember the day we bought this toy. She did NOT want to part with it. ‘What’s donate, mamma?’ she asked. My heart was SO FULL.”
‘This would kill her.’ She was 96, and if she passed from anything coinciding with my coming out, I’d be blamed.’: Trans woman shares long-awaited coming out journey
“My teacher kept me after class. ‘I was afraid this was going to happen.’ Boys didn’t have pretty writing. She knew it was more than just the handwriting, but I had to stay hidden.”
‘I’m gay.’ I felt empty and shattered—I had never before connected with anyone like this.’: Woman shares beautiful mixed-orientation marriage
“If he was choosing to spend time with me, then why would his sexual orientation matter? When we saw each other again, it was like sparks. It felt like the entire universe was aligning.”
‘She’ll outgrow it,’ the doctors said. She’d eat dinner then beg for more. I felt her cries throughout my body.’: Woman faces daughter’s celiac disease diagnosis and mother’s Alzheimer’s
“My daughter complained of intense stomachaches, and her growth basically stalled out. If my mother had been well, I would have turned to her. But I worried about her daily. I felt like the walking dead.”
‘Rather than growing stronger, my skeletal muscles are wasting away. But I’m still up and kicking…well, not really.’: Man with Spinal Muscular Atrophy shares journey with humor
“I’ve been a lazy, lucky lad from the fetal stage. Just kidding, lol. I consider my negative thoughts as a challenge to be handled, not a problem I can’t control.”
‘I had ZERO recollection of what happened when I woke up hours later. ‘You really need to consider brain surgery.’: Woman shares epilepsy journey, offers hope to others
“I went through the first 12 years of my diagnosis without looking for others like me. I was in a super dark and suicidal place. I had no idea who to turn to or what to do.”
‘We don’t know what kind of life he will have. Only time will tell.’ All I could do was hold Elijah and cry.’: Mom shares emotional journey of facing unknowns of son’s rare CDG diagnosis
“‘Elijah doesn’t have any brain damage.’ I didn’t understand. Why did he bring us in to give us good news? ‘We have to take it one day at a time.’ I was devastated. Heartbroken.”
My Washing Machine Stopped Working, And I’ve Never Felt So Seen
“‘F 20,’ she beeps. She clearly needs a break. Whatever is going on in there is simply too much.”
‘I was addicted to Coca-Cola and takeout food. At my worst, I was having five 12-hour meltdowns a week.’: Woman with Tourette’s Syndrome becomes supporter for others with disabilities
“‘When I’m older, I’m going to be just like you.’ Only 7 years previously, I hated that I was so different. I didn’t see the point in living when I was always going to be a burden on my family. Now, I’m an inspiration.”
