Being Brave Together

Last month, I attended a fabulous weekend retreat in New England with a small but mighty group of special needs moms.  It was a welcomed break from “normal life,” which is extra-ordinary for most of us – no matter how long we’ve been parenting a child with disabilities. 

I haven’t attended any kind of support group in decades, and I was a bit nervous about what the retreat would bring up for me and how I might react. I quickly discovered these were needless fears, as I adored gathering with folks and I took away more than I ever could have imagined from this wonderful experience.

The retreat was hosted by an amazing non-profit called We Are Brave Together (WABT), a non-profit organization, rooted in Southern California, that provides an international community of support for “Caregiving Moms”—moms caring for children or adult children with any diagnosis, disability or challenge: physical, medical, mental, emotional, behavioral. 

Founded by special human Jessica Patay, WABT serves a current membership of over 3,000 moms in all 50 states and 27 countries. Jessica is building something unique, powerful, and much-needed by moms and families like mine. 

When we first met last spring for my interview on Jessica’s podcast, I was struck by her open and honest approach to supporting brave women and just how much passion and energy she has to create meaningful ways for mothers to connect with and empower each other.  Like me, her complex “kid” is sandwiched between two other grown children.  She knows a lot about caregiver self-judgment, burnout, loneliness, and compassion fatigue – and she’s definitely doing something to combat it, locally and globally. When Fred Rogers told us to “look for the helpers,” he obviously had someone like Jessica in mind.  I’m in awe at what she is doing.

In the case of my summer retreat – the women who attended arrived mostly as strangers and quickly became friends. Despite our different ages, kids, challenges, and perspectives, we embraced the chance to learn, care, and grow in support of each other. We laughed, cried, and built connections. We shared resources, strategies, tears, encouragement. And yet we barely knew one another. Amazing.  Or is it?

In the very first chapter of my book, Embracing Another Normal, we talk about how and why it’s important to get comfortable sharing our stories and asking for help…finding our voices and determining who gets to hear them. This is essential because we can’t go it alone as well as when we travel together as “brave moms.” It’s really that simple…and also that hard.

It was beautiful to witness moms doing this on our recent retreat. Even if it sounds outside your comfort zone (which it was for me), it works if you’re ready. I truly believe it’s worth trying every now and then. Just to see if it works for you.

Please also spend some time on the We Are Brave Together website to learn more about all the important ways they can help you build support and community:

• Retreats (offered in a multitude of locations, with financial support available).
• Virtual “community connection circles” (which I’ve also attended online and can heartily endorse).
• Book clubs (social gatherings and interesting book discussions that encourage online connection right from your home).
• Becoming Brave Together Book (which I’m so glad I read earlier this year). A sequel is in the works for 2026, and I know it will help so many moms.
• Book Recommendation List (shameless plug for #40!).
• Podcast (“my episode” just dropped this week. I hope you’ll listen here.) 

I’m in awe of all that WABT is and does.  Of what a difference this nonprofit is making. Of what Jessica and her team are building to help moms build enriching lives and thriving families. 

I hope this organization can help you dream big, create community, and find support for your version of another normal...one brave mom at a time.