Diane | Identity as a Special Needs Mom

Who knew that the moment you became a mother, your whole world would change? I suppose we all did. “They” tell you about the sleepless nights, the infinite love you will have for this new human that you are in charge of. What “they” don’t warn you about is the change in your identity. Of course, the day to day routine looks different. You have a new title. But you are changed deeply to your core. Or are you? Is the same girl who was in there before kids still there, just waiting it out until she is no longer a caregiver? This is something that is universal amongst all mothers, medical or not. But in some ways, it will still look different for medical moms. Today, Susan and Diane come together again to discuss identity. They talk through ways in which medical motherhood has changed them, either because of the company they keep, the joys they have experienced, or the trauma they have endured. We hear about what parts of them remain from before they were mothers and their hopes for the future of their identities.  “I didn’t lose myself. She just had to be a little dormant for a while.” -Diane Here’s what Susan and Diane discuss this time: What is our identity? Identity of our children Who we associate with Season of life  A gift for Susan  What about Diane? A gift from the beginning  Priorities What gives Susan hope?  Motherhood is so rewarding and so very challenging. Medical motherhood means that your season of mothering will be uniquely challenging. Becoming a mother, whether to a typically developing child, or one with medical needs will forever change you to your core. How do you find yourself, or keep yourself, while dedicating all of yourself to caring for someone else?  Let me know in the When Autumn Comes Society or send me a DM on Instagram! I’d love to hear your take on this.  Catch up with Suz: Instagram When Autumn Comes: WAC Instagram WAC Facebook Page WAC Society Facebook Page WAC is a program of the Apricity Hope Project   Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Make sure you hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss out on our upcoming stories from other members of our medical and disabled community.  If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and a review so we can reach more moms with medically complicated, rare, beautiful children.