“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.”
‘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’
‘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.”
‘Do you JUST stay home with the kids?’ Society has this idea that we’re living the dream in pajamas, snuggled up on the couch all day.’: Stay-at-home mom urges ‘Mama, don’t forget to take care of yourself’
“Mama, I see you. I see how selfless you’ve become. I see how you feel you’ve lost your identity. I see how you’d kill for a warm bubble bath and glass of wine in peace. Mama, me too. I’m so glad we’re not in this alone.”
‘Who’s that boy?’ I wore boys’ clothes and refused makeup. My body didn’t match what was in my head.’: Transgender man shares journey, ‘Coming out can be scary but freeing’
“I was always told I behaved like a boy, but that bounced off me. I didn’t know why I didn’t think, feel, or look like others. I came out as a lesbian and cut my hair short. Something was still missing.”
‘Becoming a mom has been the biggest obstacle of my life. ‘We’ll be the best parents if only someone will give us a chance.’ I wasn’t done with my dream.’: Couple battling infertility pursue adoption
“We felt like failures. ‘Why can’t I get pregnant? Am I being punished?’ Our hearts broke with each ’no.’ We kept pushing forward, knowing our perfect match was out there.”
‘Instead of a baby, I’ll be taking out a cyst.’ There were tumors all over my pelvic area. I was bleeding out from the inside.’: Teen cancer warrior goes into remission, urges ‘stand up for yourself’
“I had two ovarian cysts, one the size of a grapefruit. ‘They don’t need to be removed.’ They weren’t going to help me. I had to take matters into my own hands. I never thought of looking through the paperwork.”
‘I can’t live like this.’ My ovaries were the size of softballs, leaking fluid into my abdomen. My family needed me. I had to fight.’: POTS warrior shares motherhood journey, ‘You’re NOT alone’
“My husband was giving me my nightly shot, and I experienced a weird taste in my mouth. I felt like I was choking. ‘You have to keep taking it or risk losing the baby.’ Every day was a battle.”
‘It’s obviously psychological.’ Doctors dismissed my pain. I lost over 20% of my bodyweight in 8 months. I felt like a zombie.’: Chronic illness warrior finds hope, ‘I’m still fighting for answers’
“I was terrified of what my future would look like. I vomit in my mouth at least three times a day, and I can’t drink water. My migraine never went away. It’s been over 80 days without relief. The answers are out there.”
‘Just keep trying!’ My biological clock was ticking. Adoption was dead last on my list. I had NO desire to ‘share’ my child with anyone else.’: Couple pursues adoption after infertility, ‘They mended my heart’
“I viewed infertility as a problem to be solved. ‘If you choose to adopt, your child will always have two sets of parents and families. You’re just going to have to deal with it.’ So much for a spoonful of sugar with our medicine. I scribbled out ‘adoption’ as a choice.”
‘You’re a MONSTER.’ I felt like I needed to ‘win’ her love. But my dad never let me down.’: Childhood abuse survivor adopted, ‘I FINALLY feel loved’
“My dad NEVER let me down. He never promised anything he couldn’t keep. When you think about it, I had my adoptive parents my whole life. They just couldn’t call me theirs until it was legal to do so.”