Mother Knows Best & More

I recently attended my first national convention sponsored by the ARC of the United States. It was thrilling to gather with people from all over the country and learn more about what the ARC does nationally and through its network of nearly 700 state and local chapters.  So was hearing from the keynote speaker, award-winning PBS journalist and special needs mother Judy Woodruff.

In her opening address, Judy recounted learnings from her experience raising a 40+ year old son with disabilities. She spoke about the power of a mother’s love, perseverance, and resilience. And she encouraged us to marshal our collective energy, brainpower, and persistence to create meaningful improvements to programs like Medicaid, ADA, and Section 504.

Judy also spoke about her powerful PBS series, Disability Reframed, which spotlights current issues facing our nation – including this moving segment about massive impending government funding cuts to Medicaid. I so appreciate Judy drawing attention to these important issues that should matter to all Americans.

As Judy reminded us in her ARC address, parents make the world go round, as advocates, allies, and leaders. The world needs us, she urged, perhaps now more than ever.

But Judy’s comments reminded me of something even more important than my ability to create positive change in this world. Seeing and hearing her reinforced that what we see on TV is never the whole picture.  While beautiful and buttoned-up on camera, she spoke about her life “behind the scenes,” managing medical challenges and other aspects of raising a child (and supporting an adult) with disabilities. She always looks so pulled together, I thought, but obviously there’s a lot going on beneath the surface of a seemingly picture-perfect life.

Why is this so difficult for parents to internalize? We scroll social media and forget that every photo tells only part of a story. We hear about a friend or loved one’s day and feel bad when ours doesn’t measure up. Who made the ruler, I wonder? And why do we believe it’s even helpful, when measuring our lives comes from within?

Relationships. Family. Work. Hobbies. Nature. Accomplishments. Setbacks. Hurdles. Happiness. These are what make a life. Facing, appreciating, and muddling our way through while we learn what we can and grow as we endure is what makes a great life. And it’s something we need to practice daily. 

Learning, of course, is at the heart of what ARC does for families (and what I try to do with this newsletter). By accessing materials and programs that help us navigate the challenges of raising individuals with disabilities, we can successfully build a powerful foundation for a really fabulous life.  And what wonderful people we get to meet along the way.

Below are specific ARC initiatives I recommend exploring, along with interesting information I gleaned at the ARC’s national conference from other organizations serving families with disabilities. 

Now’s a great time to find your local ARC affiliate and get involved somehow. It’s never too late to follow Judy Woodruff’s lead and take a step in the right direction.

Future Planning Resources

Accessible Travel

Advocating for Disability Rights

Waymo Accessible Autonomous Vehicles

Meta Voice-Activated Glasses & Camera