Emily Richey is a graduate of Pace University NYC. She has written and edited for multiple online platforms, including Love What Matters. She spends her free time petting stray cats.
‘Mom, I signed up to be a LIVING organ donor.’ 5 weeks later, I had a match.’: Woman donates liver to stranger, ‘It doesn’t take a superhero to make a difference’
“It was simple. I had no hesitations compromising a few months of my life if it meant preventing someone else from heartache.”
‘When will I be adopted by another family?’ He couldn’t accept he was safe.’: Adoptive mom talks trauma-informed parenting
“When he came to us, his rap sheet was already long. His mother drank while pregnant and moved without him. We didn’t know how to help this broken little boy.”
‘A psychic took my hand and said, ‘You WILL have a daughter.’ I became obsessed.’: Mom welcomes rainbow baby
“I ate, slept, and breathed getting pregnant. I tried every old wives’ tale and even drank a tonic from our local mystic store owner. I became consumed.”
‘Dear baby, in our hearts, we believe this is the right choice.’: Mom battling infertility pens letter to kids
“Because of the unique way you came into the world, you’ll be a very special person. You’ll be the exact baby we are supposed to have.”
‘Are you dying? Do you have cancer?’ I had absolutely nothing left to give. In 2 months, I was completely bald.’: Woman raises alopecia awareness
“There was hair on my pillow, the fridge, the shower. Every time I caught my reflection, I could see more of my scalp. I avoided shiny surfaces so I didn’t have to see myself.”
‘We sat in a dark room listening to our baby cry as they pried his eyelids open with clamps.’: Newborn diagnosed with ultra-rare Norrie Disease
“This wasn’t right. I was supposed to be blissfully loading my baby into the car, excited to get him home. Instead, my 5-pound baby, was to have eye surgery at 1 week old.”
‘Can you believe you can love something so much?’ I genuinely said no. I had love for her, but I wasn’t drowning in it.’: New mom says ‘my love took time and that’s okay’
“They pulled her out, and I was unfazed. ‘Do you want to hold her?’ I said no, shocked at my own response. I was so overwhelmed I just couldn’t bear the thought.”
‘I’m tired and need a sandwich.’ Oh no. This was supposed to be love at first sight. I could only think of how tired I was.’: New mom gets candid about motherhood, ‘None of us really know what we’re doing’
“I kept these thoughts and feelings tucked away like my shameful little secret while I put on a brave face. Clearly, they must have forgotten to install my mother’s instinct.”
‘But you’re too young to have it.’ My body aged from 26 to 83. I could barely walk a mile.’: Woman shares grief of psoriatic arthritis diagnosis
‘My diagnosis flipped my world upside-down. None of my friends could relate to what I was going through. I felt stuck in my body.”
‘Her legs look shorter than average.’ I brushed it off and laughed.’: Mom births daughter with dwarfism, ‘She’s the miracle I never knew I needed’
“My doctor came in, very somber. ’We’re concerned she has a growth issue.’ When she was welcomed into the world and laid on my chest, everything clicked and I knew.”