My Favorite Word
Do you have a favorite word?
Mine is Mom.
Since I was five years old, I dreamed of becoming a mother. Having cerebral palsy didn’t really concern me as a child. It was simply part of who I was, and I never believed it would stop me from having the life I wanted.
As I got older, though, I discovered that not everyone shared my confidence. Many people had opinions about whether I should marry or have children. Some questioned my ability to be a parent because of my disability. Their doubts were loud, but my dream was louder.
When I became pregnant with my daughter, I was disappointed by the way some doctors treated me. Instead of seeing me as an expectant mother, they often acted as though I didn’t know what I was doing. Thankfully, I eventually found a doctor who respected me, listened to me, and treated me with the dignity every parent deserves. By the time I was pregnant with my son, Jason, attitudes had improved, and the experience was much more positive.
As my children grew, I couldn’t wait to hear their little voices. Laura started talking around seven months old, and Jason was about a year old. The first time they called me “Mom” filled my heart in a way I can’t fully describe.
One afternoon, Jason sat in his high chair and must have said, “Mom… Mom… Mom…” a thousand times. Most parents might have wished for a little quiet, but I loved every second of it. Every “Mom” was a reminder that I had been given the incredible gift of raising two beautiful children.
Today, I have a teenager and an almost twenty-year-old, and hearing the word “Mom” still brings me the same joy. It’s more than a title. It’s a reminder that I helped create two amazing people. They come to me with their questions, their worries, their accomplishments, their laughter, and their dreams. Out of everyone in the world, they still choose to call for Mom.
To me, there is no greater title.
Looking back, I am so grateful that I didn’t let other people’s opinions determine my future. If I had listened to those who believed my disability should limit my dreams, I would have missed out on one of the greatest blessings of my life.
If you have a disability and dream of becoming a parent, don’t let fear or someone else’s expectations make the decision for you. Do your research. Ask questions. Build a support system. Then follow your heart.
Disability does not automatically disqualify someone from being a loving, capable parent.
If I can be a mom, I truly believe others can too.
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