On this Mother’s Day, Yvette Pegues reflects on her journey as a disabled mother raising two sons. After experiencing multiple miscarriages, she finally became a mother to two healthy boys, but then faced a traumatic brain injury that left her reliant on a wheelchair and caregiver. Despite her disability, she was met with skepticism from school officials questioning her ability to care for her children, a common experience for parents with disabilities who often face discrimination and unjust referrals to child protective services.
As a Black, disabled, Afro Latina woman, Yvette faced additional stigma and prejudice from her community. Her sons were bullied and questioned about her ability to parent, leading them to create a book as a response to critics and bullies. Yvette had to fight to prove her capability as a mother, teaching her sons to stay close to her out of fear of judgement from authorities. Her experience highlights the struggles faced by parents with disabilities and the need for systemic changes to support and protect them from unfair judgments and family separations.
Yvette’s journey from a supermom to an engaged, patient parent required her to reframe parenting roles with her husband and community. Her disability became a powerful tool for bonding with her sons as they navigated challenges and celebrated milestones together. Despite living with chronic pain, Yvette continued to show up for her children, teaching them empathy, advocacy, and caregiving. Through their experiences, they became advocates and a support system for each other, transforming their struggles into strengths.
Yvette hopes that her family’s story will inspire others with disabilities who are parents or aspire to be parents. She emphasizes the importance of normalizing disability within family units and modeling inclusivity, empathy, and kindness to support parents with disabilities. By sharing their story, Yvette aims to shift cultural values and promote systemic changes that empower parents with disabilities to experience the joys and struggles of parenthood. Her family’s journey serves as a testament to resilience, love, and the power of overcoming adversity together.
Yvette Pegues is a disabled DEIAB executive, engineer, diversity champion, and activist who uses her platform to advocate for disability rights and social change. Through her work with Your Invisible Disability Group and The Arc of the United States, she continues to elevate the voices of individuals with disabilities and create a more inclusive society. Yvette’s story underscores the importance of supporting parents with disabilities and promoting a more accepting and accessible world for all families.
