Becoming My Child’s Advocate
Maggie’s Story and the Heart of My Work.
Maggie's Story
“The moment I stopped doubting my instincts was the moment I became my child’s strongest advocate.”
When I was pregnant with my daughter, Maggie, I had no idea how profoundly she would shape my life or the work I would one day do. Like many parents, I imagined a future filled with unknowns, but I never expected that advocating for my child would become one of the most defining roles of my life.
During pregnancy, an ultrasound revealed a concerning spot on Maggie’s heart. My OB-GYN referred me to a specialist, and for a time we feared her heart might be developing outside her body. As more ultrasounds followed, it became clear that Maggie had not changed position, and doctors began to suspect a rare condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC).
AMC causes joint contractures that limit mobility and flexibility. In Maggie’s case, her extremities were significantly affected. What followed was a whirlwind of uncertainty — countless appointments, medical language I didn’t yet understand, and the realization that Maggie’s life would involve surgeries, therapies, and care far beyond what I had imagined.
Today, I am Maggie’s full-time caregiver. She is unable to walk, talk, or feed herself. Alongside her physical disability, Maggie is also autistic. I am also parenting another child with ADHD. My life became a balancing act of caregiving, decision-making, emotional processing, and learning how to navigate systems I had never expected to encounter.
In those early years, I did what many parents do — I trusted the professionals completely. I depended on doctors to guide every decision. Many of them were compassionate and well-intentioned. Others, however, carried an authority that left little room for my voice. At times, I was made to feel ignorant, dismissed, or excluded from conversations about my own child.
There was a moment early on that changed everything for me.
I remember questioning my instincts because a doctor disagreed with me. I deferred, even though something inside me felt wrong. That decision caused Maggie unnecessary pain — and I carried deep regret for not trusting myself. It was in that moment that I realized something critical: doctors know the body, but parents know their children.
No one will ever know your child the way you do.
That realization marked the beginning of my journey as a true advocate. I began to understand that advocacy isn’t about confrontation — it’s about confidence. It’s about knowledge, communication, and emotional resilience. It’s about recognizing that while professionals bring expertise, parents bring insight that is just as vital.
I learned what so many parents learn the hard way — through trial, exhaustion, and emotional weight. And I wished, deeply, that I had someone to walk beside me through that process. Someone to help me understand systems, prepare for conversations, trust my instincts, and sustain myself emotionally while caring for my child.
That is why advocacy is at the heart of my work today.
As a life coach, I specialize in empowering parents who are navigating disability advocacy for their children. I understand these challenges not only professionally, but personally. I know how overwhelming and isolating this path can feel. I also know how transformative it is when parents step into their role as informed, confident advocates.
My mission is to walk beside parents as they move from feeling lost or powerless to feeling grounded, capable, and clear. I help parents build confidence, understand systems, communicate effectively with schools and providers, and develop the emotional resilience needed to sustain advocacy over time.
My approach blends compassion, lived experience, and practical guidance. I believe parents are the most powerful voice their child will ever have — and with the right support, they can create meaningful, life-changing outcomes.
Whether you are just beginning your advocacy journey, facing a new diagnosis, or navigating a major transition, you do not have to do it alone. There is strength in learning, clarity in support, and hope in knowing that your voice matters.
This journey shaped who I am — as a parent, an advocate, and a coach. It is the foundation of the work I do, and the reason I believe so deeply in helping others lift themselves into confidence, clarity, and self-trust.
Maggie's Story
“The moment I stopped doubting my instincts was the moment I became my child’s strongest advocate."
When I was pregnant with my daughter, Maggie, I had no idea how profoundly she would shape my life or the work I would one day do. Like many parents, I imagined a future filled with unknowns, but I never expected that advocating for my child would become one of the most defining roles of my life.
During pregnancy, an ultrasound revealed a concerning spot on Maggie’s heart. My OB-GYN referred me to a specialist, and for a time we feared her heart might be developing outside her body. As more ultrasounds followed, it became clear that Maggie had not changed position, and doctors began to suspect a rare condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC).
AMC causes joint contractures that limit mobility and flexibility. In Maggie’s case, her extremities were significantly affected. What followed was a whirlwind of uncertainty — countless appointments, medical language I didn’t yet understand, and the realization that Maggie’s life would involve surgeries, therapies, and care far beyond what I had imagined.
Today, I am Maggie’s full-time caregiver. She is unable to walk, talk, or feed herself. Alongside her physical disability, Maggie is also autistic. I am also parenting another child with ADHD. My life became a balancing act of caregiving, decision-making, emotional processing, and learning how to navigate systems I had never expected to encounter.
In those early years, I did what many parents do — I trusted the professionals completely. I depended on doctors to guide every decision. Many of them were compassionate and well-intentioned. Others, however, carried an authority that left little room for my voice. At times, I was made to feel ignorant, dismissed, or excluded from conversations about my own child.
"There was a moment early on that changed everything for me."
I remember questioning my instincts because a doctor disagreed with me. I deferred, even though something inside me felt wrong. That decision caused Maggie unnecessary pain — and I carried deep regret for not trusting myself. It was in that moment that I realized something critical: doctors know the body, but parents know their children.
"No one will ever know your child the way you do."
That realization marked the beginning of my journey as a true advocate. I began to understand that advocacy isn’t about confrontation — it’s about confidence. It’s about knowledge, communication, and emotional resilience. It’s about recognizing that while professionals bring expertise, parents bring insight that is just as vital.
I learned what so many parents learn the hard way — through trial, exhaustion, and emotional weight. And I wished, deeply, that I had someone to walk beside me through that process. Someone to help me understand systems, prepare for conversations, trust my instincts, and sustain myself emotionally while caring for my child.
"That is why advocacy is at the heart of my work today."
As a life coach, I specialize in empowering parents who are navigating disability advocacy for their children. I understand these challenges not only professionally, but personally. I know how overwhelming and isolating this path can feel. I also know how transformative it is when parents step into their role as informed, confident advocates.
My mission is to walk beside parents as they move from feeling lost or powerless to feeling grounded, capable, and clear. I help parents build confidence, understand systems, communicate effectively with schools and providers, and develop the emotional resilience needed to sustain advocacy over time.
My approach blends compassion, lived experience, and practical guidance. I believe parents are the most powerful voice their child will ever have — and with the right support, they can create meaningful, life-changing outcomes.
Whether you are just beginning your advocacy journey, facing a new diagnosis, or navigating a major transition, you do not have to do it alone. There is strength in learning, clarity in support, and hope in knowing that your voice matters.
This journey shaped who I am — as a parent, an advocate, and a coach. It is the foundation of the work I do, and the reason I believe so deeply in helping others lift themselves into confidence, clarity, and self-trust.
You Don't Have to Carry This Weight Alone.
Advocacy can feel heavy, isolating, and relentless — especially when you’re expected to be strong all the time. But you don’t have to figure it out by yourself, and you don’t have to learn everything the hard way.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure of your next step, or struggling to trust your instincts in systems that feel intimidating, support can make all the difference. Together, we can build clarity, confidence, and resilience so you can advocate for your child while also caring for yourself.
You already have what it takes. Sometimes, you just need someone beside you as you step into it.
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