“My vision of perfection vanished and I felt disconnected. It was painful to say the words. But it had been her all along.”
‘This is a mistake! She CAN’T be mine.’ I turned everyone away from the hospital. I thought I ruined our lives.’: Special needs mom details Down syndrome journey
‘Her cries sounded painful. ‘Did she nap today? Do you think she’s hungry?’ But I knew it wasn’t that.’: Mom navigates daughter’s autism diagnosis, ‘I’m so proud to be her mama’
“She’d fling her head back every night. Her behaviors became violent. I suspected something greater was going on, but I sold myself the idea she’d catch up in her own time. The wait and see remained.”
‘No one will want a divorced, single mom of 3.’ I thought it was the end of me. He showed up day after day for my broken family.’: Mom shares powerful love story, ‘It was just the beginning’
“The woman my ex-husband had an affair with was engaged. That man showed up for us with groceries, moving boxes, ice cream. And he showed up with his very own broken heart. So I did what any reasonable girl would have done. I fell in love with him.”
‘We aren’t just going to let him die!’ I slammed my hands on the table. I knew this wouldn’t be our story.’: Baby survives terminal NKH diagnosis, ‘We take note of every little miracle’
“They printed out a sheet from Google explaining the condition. ‘He’ll never leave the NICU.’ He had his first seizure and stopped breathing. I knew God would heal him.”
‘Won’t you get too attached?’ Every every court date, every appointment, every 2 a.m. feeding, he may never even remember the slightest thought of me.’: Woman shares candid reality of being a foster parent
“Even after all these years, I feel my heart fall deep into the pit of my stomach when the caseworker calls. I’ve chosen to lose a little piece of my heart so that maybe, just maybe, it may help mend theirs.”
‘Your daughter needs a psych eval. She’s doing this to herself.’ I knew something was wrong.’: Woman describes journey with Chronic Lyme disease, ‘I turned my pain into purpose’
“Doctors loaded me up with medication and sent me to therapy. ‘It’s all in your head.’ I had no desire to live. I was grieving my old life.”
‘URGENT ADOPTION’ was in red marker. She left me breathless. I BEGGED for help. The fight was ON.’: Grieving couple inspired to adopt baby with Down syndrome
“I covered my mouth and held back tears. I felt like the entire earth had dropped out from under me. If I’m being truthful, I never thought it would be MY baby.”
‘You should prepare for lifelong care.’ Her little face made my heart go pitter-patter. I knew what we were in for.’: Couple adopts girls with autism, cerebral palsy, ‘Our family is complete’
“He labeled her ‘severe.’ Over the next weeks, I cried, I drank. One day, I just decided. This little girl didn’t need a mama paralyzed with fear. She needed a mama ready to take action.”
Dear Non-Judgemental Friends: Thank You For Being The Forever Door To My Safe Space
“Thank you for pointing out my harsh panty lines, listening to my poop stories, and forgiving me when I forget to text back.”
Yelling Used To Be The Only Way To Get My Ex’s Attention, Now I Live A Life Loud In Love
“I no longer yell. I no longer need to.”