Mothers with Disabilities

Day adds that it's important to create an environment that fosters your children's success. "Get them clothes that are not too tight. If they are still learning language, show them how with helping motions," she says, adding, "My daughter became much more independent at an earlier age than most of her peers."

Day offers parents with a disability this encouragement as they consider having a child: "No human baby I have ever heard of arrives with built-in expectations about how you will parent. You may do some things differently, but the baby will not know the difference. The baby is going to accept whatever you do as normal."

Rogers agrees. Her daughter, Anya, who is now in medical school, credits her mother with being a strong role model.

From my own experience, I offer this advice: Learn all you can about your disability and how it impacts your health. Take that information and make educated decisions that positively influence the development and welfare of your children. Being a mother is a unique balancing act for women with disabilities. We must remember that taking care of ourselves is taking care of our children. And, as Trish Day says, "If you get stuck and have concerns, there are resources available to help you. You're not alone."

Helpful Resources

• Health Promotion for Women with Disabilities: A website designed to provide women with disabilities information on good health promotion.
• Parents with Disabilities Online: Founded by Trish Day, this site includes links to comprehensive resources including information on adaptive parenting equipment, an e-mail listserv offering peer support, on-line magazines and periodicals, and helpful stories about parenting, written by parents with disabilities themselves.
• Through the Looking Glass: Based in California, TLG is a nationally recognized information and resource clearinghouse for parents with disabilities. The center provides information, resources, publications, and training concerning parents with all types of disabilities.
• Arthritis Foundation's Parenting Pages: A section of the Arthritis Foundation website includes articles on becoming parents and raising children successfully.