Nancy shares the powerful story of raising her son Christopher, now 20, who was born with cerebral palsy. In the early years, Nancy struggled to understand what was happening. Like many parents, she didn’t have the knowledge or guidance to recognize the resources available for children with disabilities. In her own words, she was “ignorant”—not from a lack of love, but from a lack of direction.

Everything changed after a chance conversation with another mother at a doctor’s appointment. That moment opened Nancy’s eyes to a world of support, advocacy, and possibility. Determined to fight for her son, she chose education over fear—earning her CNA certification to learn medical terminology and how to better care for people with complex needs.

Nancy went on to work for Ms. Lillian, a woman with significant disabilities who taught her what ...