“She woke up today and decided she was content to wear underwear and go to the toilet. It was that easy. Actually, it wasn’t easy; that’s why I’m telling you.”
‘My daughter went to the toilet today. On her own. She’s 4. They WILL get there in their OWN time.’: Mom to daughter with autism urges ‘you’re doing GREAT’
‘We carry a heavy load. Our bags and purses are full. What’s even harder is going to bed and unloading our shoulders.’: Special needs mom says ‘there are plenty of beautiful extras we gladly carry’
“Every morning, I walk to our son’s room to pick up his 40-pound body and carry him downstairs. With each step, I can feel it. As I make my way down the stairs, I start carrying more than just him. I carry gratitude.”
‘Sell your body, since you dress like a prostitute.’ I found my belongings on the driveway. At 17 I was FINALLY seen as a blessing.’: Adult adoptee shares foster journey, ‘I was ALWAYS their daughter’
“‘Sorry I ruined your birthday,’ I said. ‘No, you’re one of the best gifts I could ever receive!’ Her words instilled confidence in me, but her actions spoke even louder.”
‘Doctors told me, ‘It will be a painful death.’ Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I made history.’: Man shares journey with Cystic Fibrosis, becomes youngest person with CF to complete marathon’
“My mom had me put headphones on so I didn’t have to hear the heart-crushing news. I chose not to make excuses, I put every last ounce of myself into fighting.”
‘She’ll catch up in her own time!’ My instincts told me more was at play. It’s my JOB to protect her.’: Mom becomes advocate for daughter with KAND, neurological disorder, ‘We’ll ALWAYS celebrate who she is’
“‘You’ll now be Colbie’s medical experts.’ I didn’t want to hear it. I wanted to hear ‘this is how we can make it all go away.’ I chose to focus on how amazing she is.”
‘You look HOT!’ They’d say. ‘I guess this is my life now.’ I was a dimmer set to the lowest setting.’: Woman overcomes eating disorder, ‘My body is designed to keep me alive, not look a certain way’
“I felt ALIVE again, and I used this as motivation to move forward. It was my ‘aha’ moment.”
‘I don’t know who I am anymore.’ Becoming a mom is SO joyful. But the rebirth? Nothing prepares you for that.’: Mom of 4 shares importance of self-care, ‘YOU are worth the time and effort’
“Going from one to two kids rocked my world. The demands felt heavier than ever. All of the added responsibilities took priority, and I wasn’t one of them. Something had to change.”
‘Go out and have a little fun.’ People always inserted their opinions when I told them I was waiting. I chose to love my husband before I knew him.’: Woman shares love story, ‘He was worth the wait’
“He walked right up to me and said, ‘Are you the girl from the coffee shop?’ He invited me to sit with him at church. When I looked at him, the Lord said, ‘That’s your husband.’ I felt like I knew him in my heart and spirit.”
‘You’re the only one I ever felt was on my side.’ We found a broken system. Even if it changes just one life, it’s worth it.’: Foster mom shares ‘roller coaster’ journey, ‘We rise to the challenge’
“I’ll never forget the day CPS called and said, ‘The mother is accusing your family of neglect.’ I immediately felt sick to my stomach. Seeing the children reach milestones, despite the odds, makes all the background noise disappear.”
‘It’s the most natural thing in the world!’ I felt like less of a woman. Every time he fed, it felt like I was being stabbed. It was UNBEARABLE.’: New mom shares breastfeeding struggles, ‘I’m proud of my body’
“They had no idea how much pain I was in, or how little milk he was actually managing to take each time. I honestly believed we were watching our baby starve and no one was listening to us. We both knew it was me or nothing.”