ASPERGERS, CLUBFOOT, AUTISM, DYSPRAXIA, DYSLEXIA, DOWN SYNDROME, CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT - NOT THE SINGLE PARENTING JOURNEY I EXPECTED BUT I WOULDNT CHANGE A THING!

Becoming a mother was the single most life-altering experience I ever had — but becoming a single special needs mother shaped every fibre of who I am today

Each of my three beautiful children came into this world with their own unique story, and each one brought lessons that would change me forever.

My eldest, Jamie, was my first introduction to single motherhood and to the world of neurodiversity. After 3 years of casts and operations on his club foot (Talipes), at age 7 he was diagnosed with Asperger’s, I was thrown headfirst into a world I knew very little about. At first, I felt overwhelmed — not by him, but by a system that didn’t seem to understand him, by a society that wanted him to fit into boxes he was never meant for.

Jamie taught me how to see beyond the surface. He taught me the beauty of honesty, the importance of deep focus, and how a different way of thinking is something to be celebrated, not feared. Through him, I learned patience beyond measure and the fierce determination to ensure his strengths were seen and his voice was heard. Having got his first work experience in Super Valu age 14 he quickly got noticed for his excellent work ethic and became a valued employee.

He is attending college in Dublin and won Student of the Year in this first 2 years in his subject - Marketing and Business and currently doing his 3rd year internship with Samsung Ireland. Having been told he would probably never walk properly he defied the rules and has walked the Great Wall of China, skied in the mountains in Canada and travelled the world doing city breaks with his girl friend and close friends. The one lesson I learnt the most - Never Limit your Children!

Then came the real challenges

Then came Joshua, my vibrant, funny, sensitive boy, who would later be diagnosed with Autism, Dyspraxia and Dyslexia. Joshua’s journey was different again. Having regressed completely at 18months, he stopped talking, eating regular food, began stimming constantly with regular meltdowns and sleep - what's that? Every step forward for him came with battles — battles to be understood, battles to have his needs met, battles to let his light shine without being overshadowed by labels.

Through Joshua, I learned resilience — how to celebrate the smallest of victories, how to advocate tirelessly even when I was exhausted, and how to keep going when the world felt impossibly heavy. He reminded me that progress isn’t always loud; sometimes it's quiet, steady, and absolutely breathtaking.

However our lives took a complete turnaround when he was age 2.5 yrs when we were introduced to Focus CBD Oil. I kept a video diary blog before and after using the oil and you can see the amazing changes for yourself in the video below. Joshua is now 10, fully verbal, plays in the local football and darts teams, was in the scouts and plays everyday on the green with his big bunch of friends - no meltdowns (except for normal 10year old ones), have to drag him out of the bed in the morning and is very social. He still has Autism and an amazing way of looking at life - he struggles with his dyslexia and dyspraxia so still attends an ASD Unit but is doing amazing!

WATCH JOSHUAS AMAZING TRANSFORMATION FOR YOUSELF

MISS MOLLY!

And then came Molly, my warrior princess, born with Down syndrome and a congenital Heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. At age 6 months she had her first open heart surgery and her second at 18 months. As a thank you to the amazing team at Crumlin hospital myself and a fellow heart mum created a beautiful frame with photos of 78 fellow heart warriors - this still hangs proudly in the heart unit giving hope to new families facing the journey,

Molly brought a different kind of magic into my life. With her came lessons in pure, unconditional love. She slowed me down when life tried to rush me. She showed me that joy can be found in the tiniest of moments and that strength isn’t always about being the loudest in the room — sometimes it’s about smiling through the storms. Molly is just like every other little girl except she does things a little bit slower. She took longer to eat, walk and talk but dont be fooled - she is a complete diva who loves the spotlight and regularly turns up on my lives singing and dancing. Watch this space!!

THEIR JOURNEYS SHAPED MY JOURNEY

Each diagnosis, each milestone, each heartbreak, and each triumph broke me open — not into pieces, but into

something stronger, more compassionate, and more powerful

than I ever thought possible.

I became their biggest advocate because I had no other choice — and because they deserved nothing less

They turned me into a woman who knows how to fight, who understands the true meaning of patience, who trusts her intuition over the noise of the world, and who believes fiercely in the beauty of difference.

Because of them, I discovered my voice, my purpose, and my calling to stand not only for my own children but for every child who deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

I am proud to be their mother.

I am proud to be their advocate.

And I am forever grateful for the extraordinary lessons they continue to teach me every single day.

Rhona x