Health

Daughter with Coffin-Siris Syndrome smiles big in a red velvet dress during a family Christmas photoshoot

‘I have a daughter with special needs. I don’t have a special needs kid.’: Mom advocates for inclusive language

“Her diagnosis is part of her, but it doesn’t define her.”

First time parents share photos through their pregnancy and delivery journey

‘It’s a boy!’ The doctor placed our sweet baby on my chest, tears of joy falling. But instantly, I knew.’: Mom vows ‘I’m going to celebrate’ son with Down syndrome

“Once my sister came by to visit Cru, I finally voiced my thoughts I could never imagine were real. ‘Haley, I feel like he has it.’ I’ll never forget her response: ‘If he does, who cares?! He’s perfect.'”

Edited By Devon Ledbetter

I Owe It To My Kids To Be Human

“Not a superhuman, not a superhero, not a supermom… but just a woman attempting her best each day. My children will gain so much more.”

Edited By Sophia San Filippo

I Got Chronically Ill At 19, And All My Friends Abandoned Me

“My empty space in photographs was an open wound; I’d cry scrolling through Instagram, feeling left out and forgotten, wondering when things would change. I’ve read time and again people are grateful for their illness because it’s shown them who their true friends are. But what do you do when your illness proves you had almost no true friends at all?”

Edited By Sophia San Filippo

41-Year-Old Mom Who Taught Herself To Skateboard After Earning PhD Is Proof It’s Never Too Late To Try Something New

“Dr. Indigo Willing decided to challenge herself with a new hobby.”

Edited By Sophia San Filippo

Special needs mom shares photos of her son with severe epilepsy, one smiling and carefree and one looking sad in the hospital

‘Your son has the worst epilepsy I’ve ever seen.’ It’s insane to have doctors ask how to treat your child.’: Mom shares son’s journey with Epilepsy through misdiagnoses, mistreatment to 3 years seizure free

“As time passed, I saw major changes in my once happy, carefree child. He was withdrawn and started to not like playing with his siblings or classmates. The doctor told me it was ‘just a side effect.’ My mom gut told me something wasn’t right.”

Edited By Devon Ledbetter

Young woman in white dress and former alcoholic wearing glasses

‘For weeks, I was in an induced coma. Only a miracle could have saved me. After 25 years of lies, I said, ‘I’m done.’: Woman shares emotional journey of loss on path to sobriety

“I woke up in the hospital with a tube in my throat. I missed my brother’s funeral. In my heart, I could hear him say, ‘You got this, sis.’ I knew there was no turning back.”

Edited By Peter Lim

Mom Creates Inclusive Dolls To Help Kids With Disabilities Feel Accepted

“When other parents of deaf children took notice, requests for more custom dolls came pouring in!”

Edited By Sophia San Filippo

‘Mom, that’s when you were skinny!’ I saw a photo of my pre-baby body. I sighed and envied who I once was. I don’t look like her anymore.’: Mom learns to appreciate beauty of postpartum body

“My pre-baby body didn’t birth four human beings. My pre-baby body didn’t know the true meaning of sacrifice, sleepless nights. My pre-baby body didn’t know love like I know now.”

Edited By Sophia San Filippo