“Even in our darkest hours, we find joy. Jaxlee’s smile can light up a room. She shines with joy but also resilience. She has weathered SO much.”
‘She is probably tired.’ There was no movement. I found a glimmer of hope. I’d be with her every minute I could.’: Daughter born with Cerebral Palsy, ‘Her strength is inspiring’
‘One day, you’ll need a transplant.’ I was DEVASTATED. I never really accepted this, until I had no other option.’: Man with autoimmune hepatitis undergoes liver transplant, ‘It’s my second chance’
“I lost 30 pounds, began sleeping 14 hours a day, and suffered terrible stomach pains. It was raining when I received the call. When I hung up, I watched the raindrops fall down the window in streaks. I was preparing to take my hands off the wheel and hand it to my doctors.”
‘You should take a look at this.’ It was IDENTICAL TWINS! I was oblivious to the doctor’s concerns.’: Endometriosis warrior welcomes premie twins in NICU, ‘You go one day at a time’
“I had to undergo surgery to give my babies a chance to survive. The procedures were TERRIFYING. But I would endure whatever it took!”
‘You must love YOURSELF.’ At 4, she leans down so I hear her. I teach her about my difficulties, and free us from shame.’: Woman with hearing impairment describes ‘pure, deep, powerful’ motherhood
“My greatest love story has been motherhood. I’d been living my life in the dark, allowing negative thoughts about my disability to hold me back. Having her has healed me.”
‘I have a problem! This is serious and I can’t stop.’ My organs felt like heavy rocks in my body. I knew my time was coming.’: Woman shares sobriety journey, ‘I’m hopeful for a new way of life’
“I was on my way to a swollen liver. I had to stop drinking or I would die. I weaned myself into sobriety with boxed red wine. I was just starting to scratch the surface.”
‘If you don’t like me because of my hands, your loss.’ Our differences make us unique. We’re enough just the way we are.’: Best friends advocate for limb differences, ‘You’re perfectly made’
“Never seeing anyone else like you can feel isolating. Most of my life, I’d carry a jacket over my arm, even in hot summer months. I didn’t want to acknowledge I was different. Now, I’m proud.”
‘I’m only looking for a friend.’ I told myself I wasn’t destined for dating or marriage. I let my disability dictate that.’: Man with muscular dystrophy shares love story, ‘They gave me a new life’
“I had an alert in my inbox. ‘Hi, I’m Jenny.’ I did a double-take. Talking to her was the easiest thing I’d ever done. Neither one of us was looking for love, so we were both surprised when it found us!”
‘Shayla, stop bothering me!’ Now, 7 years later, I’d give anything to hear her call to me. I long to hear my baby say, ‘Mommy.’: Autism mom shares daughter’s diagnosis, ‘We’re her voice’
“We knew it was coming. I thought I was prepared to hear it, to see it made official. I was not. ‘She has autism.’ I was in denial. How could I have done this to my baby?”
‘We need Native American families for these kids. Are you interested?’ It took us two seconds to say, ‘Yes, we’re ready.’: Foster mom shares journey, ‘Every child deserves a family’
“When you hold these sweet babies in your arms, you’re entrusted with a lot. They need you showing up for them, fighting for them. No one else is doing it. All you need is a heart that has room to love them. Everything else falls into place.”
Instead Of Hiding My Burn Scars, I Wear Them Like Diamonds
“Pressure makes diamonds. After all I’ve been through, I’m almost indestructible, with a sparkle to match.”