What I Do as a Parent Mentor and Family Advocacy Strategist

Parenting a child with a disability is both a gift and a challenge. As a mom of twins with physical disabilities who are now thriving adults, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to juggle therapies, doctor’s appointments, school systems, and the everyday ups and downs of family life. For years, I searched for someone who had been there—someone who understood the late-night worries, the endless paperwork, and the deep love that pushes us forward.

That’s why I stepped into my calling as both a Disability Parent Mentor and a Family Advocacy Strategist. My mission is to guide and empower other parents raising children with disabilities, developmental differences, or complex care needs so they never feel like they have to walk this journey alone.

What I Do as a Parent Mentor

Being a parent mentor for families with disabilities means I walk alongside other parents who are navigating similar challenges. I don’t come in as a professional with all the answers—I come in as a mom who has lived this journey.

As a mentor, I offer:

• Encouragement when the road feels overwhelming

• Guidance and strategies that worked for me

• A listening ear when you need someone who truly understands

• Support in finding resources and building community

  
  

My role is rooted in lived experience, not theory. Parents often tell me it feels like a relief to connect with someone who gets it—who understands both the emotional rollercoaster and the practical side of raising a child with special needs.

What I Do as a Family Advocacy Strategist

As a family advocacy coach and strategist, I help parents build the skills and confidence to speak up effectively for their children. This isn’t about legal advice or replacing attorneys—it’s about preparation, clarity, and confidence.

I support families by helping them:

• Create an advocacy plan for school, healthcare, or community settings

• Prepare key questions before meetings and appointments

• Identify resources and services that best support their child

• Turn feelings of overwhelm into clear, confident action steps

  
  

Think of me as your partner in transforming stress into strategy, so you feel empowered instead of powerless.

What I Don’t Do

I want to be clear: I’m not an attorney, and I don’t provide legal representation in IEP meetings or elsewhere. My role as a parent advocate mentor is to equip you with tools, mindset, and confidence so you feel prepared to stand tall as your child’s strongest voice.

Why This Work Matters

When parents are supported, children thrive. Parent advocacy is not just about paperwork—it’s about making sure your child feels seen, valued, and included. Advocacy means teaching your child (and yourself) that their voice matters, that they belong, and that they deserve every opportunity to shine.

Watching my own daughters grow into young women who advocate for themselves has shown me the lifelong impact of building advocacy skills early. The transformation doesn’t just change your child’s life—it changes the whole family’s outlook.

How I Support Families

Here are just a few of the ways I work with parents and caregivers:

• Listening with compassion and understanding

• Helping you prepare for school meetings and medical appointments

• Sharing resources and connecting you to support systems

• Teaching resilience, confidence, and advocacy skills

• Encouraging you when the journey feels overwhelming

  
  

Parenting a child with unique needs isn’t easy—but you don’t have to do it alone. My mission is to help you feel supported, empowered, and hopeful as you walk this path.