“Growing up, my birth story wasn’t like the ones my friends had. I never knew where I was born or what my biological family looks like. ‘Why do I have black hair and black eyes while you’re blonde? I felt displaced.”
‘Wow, your sister looks so much like your parents!’ Until that moment, it had never occurred to me that I was different. I was bitter and angry.’: Adoptee raises awareness, ‘You’re not alone’
‘You’re too complicated.’ I was the girl who was always on crutches or in a cast. My doctors were stumped.’: Woman diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, ‘My story isn’t over’
“I was bullied by my classmates. ’You’re just faking.’ I had pneumonia, broke my wrist twice, tore my MCL, sprained my ankle again, and had my appendix taken out—all in 3 years. I just wanted to be normal.”
‘God, PLEASE heal my child.’ Our future as parents seemed so unsure. We needed a MIRACLE. ‘Just keep pushing, baby.’: Mom to daughter fighting Ebstein’s Anomaly says ‘she’s our little light’
“‘I can’t celebrate, I can’t be happy!’ My dad told me, ‘Yes, you can. You’re going to enjoy these days with her.’ We relished in our sweet baby girl, just like my father told me. We soaked up EVERY milestone.”
‘Who would want a girl with no legs?’ I defied the doctor’s advice until my body BEGGED me to stop.’: Amputee with spina bifida urges ‘life has no guarantees’
“‘Amputate my legs?! Never in my life.’ I wasn’t ready. Thus started a whole new phase of my life. I had to make the best out of what I’ve been through.”
‘We need to talk. We’re not sure Max is a fit here.’ We were getting hurt by our son, and had no help.’: Mom advocates for Autistic son, ‘For the first time in many years, I felt like we could do this’
“’What do we do? Mom to mom, I CAN’T do this anymore. Please, PLEASE help me.’ We realized our battle would be uphill, but we’d survive.”
‘I’ll call you when I get to the parking area.’ They decided to coast the truck down the mountain. They had no brakes.’: Daughter honored for organ donation, mom connects with another through ‘divine intervention’
“She called and said, ‘This might be the best day of my life!’ I pleaded with God to keep her safe.”
‘This is the winter of despair.’ It felt like the nail in the coffin. But I was reminded of something. This is an opportunity to make new traditions.’: Mom says ‘This year, I’ll make the magic for my family’
“It doesn’t have to be extravagant or overwhelming. Christmas morning can be a free-for-all, or we can make it last all day. And next year, because of the sacrifices we’ve all made to keep each other safe, we can be together.”
‘When people asked me for gift ideas, I’d smile and say, ‘Just wine and diapers!’ How else could I unwind? It never stopped at just one glass.’: Mom shares sobriety journey, ‘I’m a better mom’
“I entered the life-changing, magical world of motherhood. I had no clue what I was doing. Breastfeeding vs. formula feeding. Crib vs. co-sleeping. It felt like there was nothing we moms could ever agree on. Well, except for one thing… wine.”
‘How could this be happening AGAIN?’ My heart couldn’t handle it.’: After near-death experience, mom welcomes daughter with spina bifida
“‘She’ll likely never walk and she may have brain damage.’ She gently offered termination. But we wanted to raise a strong, independent, and confident daughter. We had a PLAN.”
‘This is the best day of my life!’: Frozen’s Elsa and Anna deliver surprise wig to girl with Alopecia thanks to USPS worker’s kindness
“I’m not often moved to tears, but the way Caroline’s eyes lit up is something I will never forget.”