Essay: How becoming a mother taught me the importance of self-advocacy

Essay: How becoming a mother taught me the importance of self-advocacy

My oldest daughter just turned 5. Looking back at photos from the day she was born, I’m reminded of the pure, unmatched joy I felt. Becoming a mother was something I dreamed of more than anything, and it’s a title I feel so deeply honored to have. As I look back, that joy is what I hold onto most. But there’s another side of the story I carry with me, too. That day, I learned just how close joy and fear can live, and how experiencing both has sh…