May 1, 2026
Dear Moms of kids with medical issues,
This Mother’s Day, I’m thinking of you (of us). How are you doing? How many appointments have you been to lately? How many times have you waited on hold? Waited for results? Waited in a waiting room even longer than expected?
Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.
Sometimes hoping. Sometimes despairing. So much frustration with the school district, with bad luck and bad timing, with illogical insurance processes and exorbitant fees.
Having a child with severe and chronic medical issues is no joke. It’s not for wimps.
It feels heavy all the time.
Is this the worst it will be or the best it will be? What will happen when they are in charge of their own care? Do they secretly need therapy? Are they avoiding or just coping really well?
As if we needed one more thing in life to remind us…“We are not in control.”
If you’re like me, maybe for Mother’s Day, you just want things to feel light. You just want to worry about regular things – about screen time and junk food and social media.
Your sweet brain deserves a break from the many “if-thens” and the burden of trying (but failing) to fully trust the medical professionals and school administrators in your life.
If you are a parent with a child – or two or three – with medical issues, I see you. I know you are trying so hard and feeling like you’re on an island. It’s so lonely.
There are more of us out here.
You’re not the only one. I know that doesn’t address the real and painful issues you are facing, but maybe it’ll take 1% of the sting away. Maybe.
I know you want to be able to trade places with your child. I wish we could. Since we can’t, let’s keep doing all we can do.
Let’s wait and watch and call and schedule. Let’s pick up from school early and drive to appointments. Let’s advocate and learn and teach and trust.
It matters. All of your hard work and caring makes a difference.
Your child is so lucky to have you.
Here’s to you this Mother’s Day carrying the weight of the world. May it feel a bit lighter today.
Dr. Kelly Jones
Executive Director, Outpost Summer Camps
“We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.” Brené Brown
