Jos

I guess I always knew I wanted to be a mum. I had no idea the road to get there would be so wonderfully complex. Life changed dramatically when I had an accident when I was 30, where I sustained a neck-level spinal cord injury. I wasn’t sure if I could even be a mum, whether it was an unachievable dream. Together my husband and I started thinking very laterally of how we could pursue parenthood safely with my health in mind. After much discussion, investigation and years dedicated to it; we were matched through an international surrogacy agency to a wonderful woman named Beth in Oklahoma. We now have a beautiful daughter. Being a mum with a disability is incredibly fulfilling and challenging, all at the same time.  I suppose no different to other mums in that way. My daughter challenges me to think creatively so that we can do things together.  We find a way! I always had a sinking doubt that she might not identify me as her mum because I couldn’t do all the things that other mums can often do. I soon realized this was definitely not the case.  She treats and loves me the same. She just knows there’s some special things that I can and cannot do. She thinks it’s pretty special she can take a ride on my feet or lap whenever she wants, and so do I!

The Lives We Lead Worklife has been funded by the Department of Communities, Disability Services.

These resources are in the process of being transferred to Inclusion Solutions. Click here to visit their website.
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