“We aren’t newlyweds jet-setting the world anymore. Most of the time we have a smaller set of hands between ours now. But just like that, a simple touch melted the stoicism.”
‘Last night, he reached for my hand. It startled me, this painful reminder we rarely hold hands anymore since having our child.’: Spouse shares reminder ‘you are not walking the valleys alone’
‘We’re all going through this together.’: Single dad offers encouragement during ongoing COVID crisis
“It sucks to be us, but not when we’re together.”
‘Today, I threw myself a little pity party. There were no decorations or balloons, just coffee and lots of tears.’: Mom of boys with rare genetic disease shares how she keeps fighting
“There are no words to describe what it feels like to watch your children weaken over time. Depression and anxiety visit me daily. Some days, I punch my pillow and beg for different circumstances.”
‘He abandoned me, but I chose to move on. I was so good at hiding it, nobody knew I was already suffering.’: Mom shares journey with depression, toxic relationships
“For those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and all forms of mental illness, you won’t stay in that situation forever. I can attest to that.”
‘If your son was less disabled, we could be of service to him.’: Mom shares ‘horrendous email’ received when seeking support for son with autism
“The current state of the world is becoming the new excuse as to why families like mine don’t get the help we need.”
‘Nothing is better than this. No wine night, shopping trip, or vacation would be worth the trade.’: Mom shares gratitude for motherhood, despite sacrifices
“Nope, no one told me how much I would have to give up. But you know what? No one told me how much I would gain.”
‘Don’t say anything. You don’t want to be taken from home, do you?’ We hid in our rooms, afraid of the people supposed to keep us safe.’: Child trauma survivor marries best friend, finds meaning of ‘real love’
“All I knew was I was scared of ‘love.’ I didn’t want it. In fact, I wanted to run from it like it was the plague. I wish I could go back and hold myself like I held my siblings. I wish I could tell little Jas that real love was coming. An angel on earth. The most adorable, bi-racial boy with the biggest dimples and largest afro I had ever seen.”
‘I have babies to deliver. Yours is dying, so make it quick.’ She reached in, ripped her out.’: Mom opens up about horrifying medical malpractice causing severe disability, repeat stillbirths
“Had the nurse just called an emergency, had the doctor just put aside that she didn’t like our parental choices… we wouldn’t have to live with this unbearable pain.”
‘A teary-eyed sobbing mess with knots in her hair and ripped skin at her fingernail beds.’: Mom shares emotional open-letter to parents of anxious children
“Sometimes, there aren’t enough tissues for the tears or words for the hurt.”
‘This afternoon, we sold our home. This house has seen every high and low in our lives.’: Special needs mom recalls nostalgic memories of ‘safe haven’ in wake of move
“It has seen goodnight snuggles and early morning kisses. It has seen driveway slow dances and random living room dance parties. It has seen our family fall into the world of autism. It has seen my beautiful boy grow up from baby to toddler to little boy.”