Mandy Crowley is a parent to her son who has autism. She has become a disability activist, and has a message to share with the world. Mandy says she is done with apologizing for her son’s behavior. “Why would I…
In 2005, 16-year-old Matthew sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed. Matthew’s mother, Angela, reflects on Matthew’s progress since his accident. Angela recalls that in 2009, Matthew was determined to earn his associate degree post-injury. He had…
Melanie Reach was born with multiple disabilities, including vision loss and cerebral palsy. She shares some important advice for parents who are raising children with disabilities. Melanie bases these tips on her experiences with her own parents. Self Advocacy Self…
Megan became a paraplegic when she was still a teenager. Her parents went through the injury and recovery with her, and now as an adult, Megan shares advice on parenting from her perspective as a daughter with a spinal cord injury.…
Like many new fathers, Mel felt like he’d reached the pinnacle of manlihood when his daughter was born. He foresaw milestones like first steps, schooling achievements, graduation, and even a wedding day for his daughter. But things changed for Mel…
When Whitney’s son Daniel was getting ready to start kindergarten, Whitney was more than a little nervous. Daniel has Down Syndrome along with sensory issues, and is nearly non-verbal. She recalls the questions and concerns she had when it came…
If you're a parent, no doubt you've endured a meltdown or two. Kristen is mom to a young son with Down's Syndrome and has dealt with her fair share of them. "Meltdowns transform my son into a child I barely…
Donna Thomson shares the following five lessons she has learned from being a parent and caregiver to her son Nicholas who has cerebral palsy. “Over the twenty-eight years of our son Nicholas’s life, I have learned lessons about what it takes…
A mother’s love knows no boundaries, and that is truly exemplified in the unconditional love and support Zou Hongyan has given her son. Hongyan’s son, Ding Ding, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy following a birth complication. Doctors informed Hongyan that…
Nine-year-old Ezra French is one amazing kid. Ezra recently sat down with Ellen DeGeneres to talk about both his disability and his zest for life. “I was born with one finger on my left hand and a leg that was…