Our Most Joyous Moments with Our Disabled Children

“When he finally started smiling at 6 months old!”

—@abbiexmerrill

“Seeing the MRI results after life-saving surgery, confirming that she’s okay ❤️.”

—@akaverdugo

"Nora's first-ever smile after her shunt was placed. She was just so happy to be relieved of it!"

—@karley_L_h

"Getting confirmation that the infusions were working for my son, who has osteogenesis imperfecta."

—@kelschiara

“The first time my daughter called me ‘Mamma’ 💖.”

—@ashnik517

"Taking her to the beach and seeing her dip her toes into the water."

—@katiebpeterson

“When she started making eye contact and interacting with us after being on keto for her seizures ❤️.”

—@morganrockey94

"All the skin-to-skin in the NICU. I hated the NICU days but treasured the time we had together."

—@freyasluckyarm

"When my son was two, he learned to drive a power wheelchair using only his head."

—@debnielson7387

"Finally getting his PICC line out after two years!"

—@strengtheningbyfire

"Hearing her cry when she was born."

—@miraculouslycomplexmaddie

"When my son ate a cheese ball after not being able to eat through his mouth for 18 months."

—@tammcsmith

"Every time she manages to smile, despite her epilepsy. It's always a joyous moment!"

—@madhurakatre

"When she latched after being transferred away from me for 24 hours!"

—@lovelyladyl19

"Just last week, we went to our first 'real/public' outing. She's three-and-a-half-years-old, and I just sobbed."

—@_alexandriaj91

"When I realized I was going home with a baby after being told to not expect anything during my pregnancy."

—@kelsey_l12

"Taking him off oxygen and holding him close as we swam in a seasonal creek."

—@bornbyariver

"Their big brother meeting them at home after only seeing them twice in a span of five months."

—@oliver.wyatt.ataleoftoughtwins

“After Arden got his G-tube and we could finally kiss his tube-free and tape-free face!! 💛🙏”

—@itsalockhartlife

“I think it was the moment I let go of all expectations and just let us live in the moment. Also, after searching and searching for a bike or tricycle that would work and then seeing Nora riding her scooter for the first time. She was so proud and happy! My little scooter master ❤️.”

 

—@emilyyoung3

"About a month after our son's lip and nose surgeries, we were cleared to stop the nose stents. At more than 8-months-old, we got to see his sweet, beautiful face all day and all night. He was so cute!! For the first time since he was born, we had a baby without tapes, tubes, and hooks. We had seen his face before, but briefly and his face was all red and puffy."

—@ktderoads

"The day we could be together as a family of 6 when she was four-months-old."

—@sophiaclong

"I can't think of one specific moment, but we love her bedtime giggles!!"

—@lifesgifts2022

“When they placed her on my chest and she became a person, not just a diagnosis ❤️.”

—@myincredibleivy

"When my daughter, who has a speech delay, autism, and CP, said, 'I love you, Mommy!' unprompted."

—@cbowens525

"The first time he signed 'I love you' in ASL."

—@thegarg_family

"His first steps at two-and-a-half-years-old!"

—@elyse_bakker

"When he got his glasses and transition lenses. He could finally enjoy the outdoors :)."

—@loeyjessica_