We all need heroes, those unique individuals that take on incredible challenges we can only aspire to, but in aspiring to, we get inspired maybe just enough to take on some of our own challenges. And even though each of us is unique, when that hero is someone who looks like us, they seem to share similar burdens. Thus they inspire us to become the best version of ourselves to meet the challenges we face.

As a 14 year old now, Isaac has grown! I am here to share our story with exciting moments and challenges. Isaac was diagnosed with autism at the age of five. With the diagnosis, now looking back, I know there was a special plan for our family.

Have you ever felt like you don't quite fit in? Maybe you feel like no one really understands what it's like to parent a child with a disability. Let's be honest, we love our kids and would do anything for them. We see their worth and appreciate their unique abilities and strengths. But parenting our kids with special needs is very VERY hard sometimes.... most of the time.

I met Megan Gaines a few years ago and she was a shy quiet young lady. Over the years, I have watched her transform into a strong leader for Special Olympics and at her church. Megan began her journey as an athlete of Special Olympics with Track and Field being her favorite sport that she competes in.

My name is Tahasha, but people call me Tash. I have worked with children from birth through sixth grade for the last 11 years, now I get the opportunity to work with teens and adults through the Walla Walla Valley Disability Network's SOAR program! I have an aunt and a sister who are both developmentally disabled, I have grown up learning to love, show compassion, and help those who need it most.

I’m Whitney Lux, a third-grade teacher at Gib Olinger Elementary in Milton-Freewater. As a first-year teacher one of my big goals this year was to bring awareness about inclusion and acceptance of others. To achieve this, I have read multiple books to my class that cover a variety of special needs. I want to share some of the books that I read with my class, what the premise of each book was about, and the impact that it had on my students.

One of our own is going to the Special Olympics World Games beginning June 5th, 2022 in Orlando Florida. Craig Lockard is a 35-year-old athlete that has participated in Special Olympics since 2007.

I held back her hair as the doctor was suctioning behind her ear, asking over and over again, "Are you in pain? Does it hurt?" I watched her face turn red before she finally admitted it hurt.

My name is Brenna, and I love being mom to 2 amazing kids. My oldest child, Isaac was born the day after Christmas. We had experienced infertility struggles for two years prior, and he was the Christmas gift we had long awaited. As a nurse I’ve had the great privilege of watching many families interact with their newborns during those first days and weeks of life. Finally experiencing those moments with our own baby felt almost surreal.

My name is Maribel Ruiz. My daughter, Dalia, was diagnosed with infantile spasms at 4 months of age.

My name is Irma and I am the mother of a little angel Rodrigo. He is my firstborn and because of the lack of experience I did not notice anything until a neighbor told me: Why don't you take him to a Pediatrician? Rodrigo was already almost 18 months old and did not walk, nor did he speak. For me it was normal, it was my baby.

When my son, Joey, was in high school he had very challenging behavior. He has autism; diagnosed at age two with classic infantile autism (now referred to as Level 3 – the most severe form of autism). At age 11 he acquired the additional diagnosis of Bi-Polar Disorder (rapid cycler). This dual diagnosis, along with the frustrations of being non-verbal and fluctuating hormones resulted in destructive and self-injurious (headbanging) behavior. In fact, he never attended school for longer than 3 hours a day.

WWVDN is pleased to announce that Angie Witt will be adding to her role of Parent to Parent Coordinator, and will be serving our community as TRANSITION SPECIALIST! In addition, Ysabel Fuentes has expanded her role of P2P Hispanic Outreach Coordinator and is actively promoting EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN EMPLOYMENT, helping families and employment providers understand the importance of employment for Spanish speakers with disabilities.

This year’s camp had 17 attendees with 5 peer mentors and 3 adult helpers. Camp was so much fun with fire fighter day, rocket day, Fort Walla Walla Museum tour, bug day, and race car day. Summer Camp was funded by United Way.

I first met Amy when WWVDN was picked to be a recipient of the Battle of the Badge baseball game between the firefighters and police officers. Here was this spunky red head running a mile a minute getting everything organized and all the kinks worked out to make the event a great success. Which it was.

El Programa de Padres a Padres da apoyo a familias con miembros con necesidades especiales de salud y discapacidades.
The Parent-to-Parent Program supports families with members with special health care needs and disabilities.

I would like to introduce Parent to Parent’s intern, Kristen Hanson. Kristen is attending WWCC in the Human Services Social Work program. She got into this program and is interested in social work because of her beautiful daughter Hannah who is 8 and is diagnosed with Autism.

Happy Mother’s Day, moms! I hope you are all appropriately honored this month. It’s been nearly 22 years since I became a mother and my list of identities: daughter, sister, wife, grew to include “mom.” My first two daughters, born 17 months apart, changed the way I view myself. My third daughter changed my world.

Five years ago, I graduated from Whitman College after having spent three years in the Whitman College Buddy Program, including a one-year stint as the program coordinator. To say that the Buddy Program shaped my own values and guiding principles would be a vast understatement.

My name is Whitney Lux and I started volunteering with the WWVDN when I was 11 years old. I got involved with the Network when Haley Witt moved into my neighborhood; we instantly clicked and spent countless hours playing together in my front yard. When Angie invited me to attend a training, I knew I had to go.

Hello everyone! My name is Patrick McFetridge and I am an Elementary Physical Education teacher at Edison Elementary. I have been coaching with Parent to Parent for around 17 years which has included baseball, soccer and basketball.

When social distancing started in March, I had significant anxiety for my son Emery. He has bipolar disorder and autism. My husband Mike and I, the Walla Walla school district teachers, therapists, and medical professionals have worked hard to support him so he can live to his fullest potential.

It was 2:30 a.m. I woke with a start in the hospital room. The day before had been a long day. My wife had gone into labor early that morning, 5 weeks early.

Kati and Kevin Tureman just finished the process of becoming guardians for their 18 year old daughter Sydney on September 11th. They did this process on their own and wanted to share this information.

24 years ago I became dad to Taylor Danielle Pulliam. Taylor was born at 24 weeks weighing 1 lb. 2 oz. I remember the Doctor saying she had a 50/50 chance.

To all you fathers who’ve struggled to embrace your special child’s diagnosis and engage fully in their needs, you are not alone. I share with you my experience.

My name is Brenda, I am married to Jesus and have five children: Yulisa, Jacklyn, Daniel, Yanel and Jesus.

One summer afternoon, we all smiled as my 10-year-old brother Matthew cheerily yelled “Merry Christmas!” to the family sitting at the table next to us as we were leaving a restaurant.

He knows he's adorable, we think so too.