Happy
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‘I’d LOSE MY HEAD and blow up at the smallest situation. Visiting the kids left me feeling blessed to be ALIVE.’: Man seeks help for mental health, starts charity journey
“I burst into tears. ‘What’s wrong?!’ They were so confused. They didn’t know any different than the life they were living. Seeing these children happy inspires me to show more gratitude.”

‘You’re just NOT trying hard enough.’ I KNEW I was different, but I tried to brush it off. Then something magical happened.’: Woman diagnosed with autism shares journey, ‘I will live a BEAUTIFUL life’
“‘You’re WAY too sensitive.’ They don’t know I am constantly aware of the clock ticking, people typing, colleagues moving, screens shining, lamp shining, them laughing, the radio playing. This world is so LOUD.”

‘He had every opportunity to leave. I went from perfectly healthy to crippled, mentally and physically. Instead, he got down on one knee. ‘Will you marry me?’: Woman thanks husband for unconditional love during Chronic Lyme Disease battle
“I don’t remember the rehearsal dinner. I took a nap between the ceremony and reception. After a month of treatment, I rallied to walk down the aisle. Our love was stronger than the forces pulling me down.”

‘I’m getting a mummy and daddy?’ I begged God to let me spend his birthday with him. I’d missed seven already.’: Mom shares international adoption journey, ‘He’s ours, forever and always’
“The door swung open. ‘Your husband’s been trying to reach you. You got the CALL!’ I was shaking. We were going to be parents. It was finally happening.”

‘His entire world was falling apart. Carter turned to him, ‘I’m so glad you’re back. I missed you so much!’ We knew he was right where he was supposed to be.’: Couple adopts son from foster care
“The moment he came into our lives, he and Carter just clicked. We loved him like he was ours. We gave him one last hug before he left. But that’s not where his story ends.”

‘Will I love him as much as I love my daughter?’ He was placed onto my chest. Suddenly, there was NO fear.’: Mom to son with Down syndrome starts nonprofit, ‘There is joy after grief’
“I’d say to him, ‘I love you so much it HURTS.’ I couldn’t believe there was a time I questioned if this love between the two of us would be possible. I wanted to provide hope for other families.”

‘You’re so kind for hanging out with them!’ These were my friends. I wasn’t doing anything special.’: Teen gives back to Down syndrome community, ‘I want to make the world a better place’
“Each year, it seemed I had a friend who looked or acted just a little bit differently than me. I wanted to make sure these children were equally celebrated and welcomed.”

‘I believe I’m the woman you’re looking for.’ We’d reached out to EVERYONE in New York with her name.’: Adoptee finds biological family after 16 years
“A young woman opened the door and met me at the top of the staircase. I KNEW it was her. She hugged me, squeezing as if she never wanted to let go.”

‘I can’t hear youuuu, I’m deaf!’ Kids mocked me. I started to realize the world wasn’t so kind.’: Deaf woman advocates for change, ‘I’m just as human as you are’
“Some thought they should speak loud and slow, as if I was dumb and incapable. ‘Young lady, I want a cappuccino, you know COFFEE with FOAM?!’ Others tipped me too much and said things like, ‘I admire your strength and positivity.’”

‘Is it strange to be pregnant with someone else’s baby? The seed was planted. ‘Go meet your daddies.’: Woman ‘honored’ after navigating surrogacy journey twice
“I asked if I could see her face for a moment before they took her. We heard her crying and they brought over this new, perfect baby. I kissed her cheek, welcomed her to the world and told her to go meet her daddies.”