Being a parent on its own can be challenging. But raising kids with special needs is an even greater challenge. No parent is ready to receive an unwelcoming diagnosis for their child, and staying positive in these situations can be hard. But the unconditional and pure love children give has the power to make all your worries and fears fade away.
We at Bright Side love to see how well these celebrities’ kids are doing, and we hope it will make your day brighter too.
1. Denise Richards
Denise Richards adopted Eloise not long after she was born. Later, she was diagnosed with a deletion in chromosome 8, which affected her development. For a long time, Eloise couldn’t sit up on her own, and she didn’t walk until she was 2 years old.
Denise doesn’t know whether she will be able to talk like a typical child, but she does her best to remain optimistic. “As a parent, you want what’s best for your children, and you just do it,” says Richards. Today, her “sweet little angel” as she refers to her, is 11 years old, loves life, and is always happy.
2. Mia Farrow
Mia’s big heart was always open to kids with special needs. In total, she has 14 children — 4 biological and 10 adopted — from which 4 have disabilities. She’s the proudest mom, and her family means everything to her.
3. Holly Robinson Peete
Holly’s son, Rodney (RJ), was diagnosed with autism at age 2. Over time, she and her husband spent $500,000 on treatment, and they always did their best to help their son.
After trying many therapies, they finally found one that suited Rodney best, and today, thanks to the outpouring of love from his family, he’s a successful young man. “When I look back and see RJ, this strapping young man who’s 20 and has a job — he’s doing all these things that I was told he would never do,” Holly revealed. “It really makes you emotional, because I can’t believe he’s come so far, and I’m still so blessed.”
4. Tisha Campbell
Tisha’s son, Xen, was diagnosed with autism when he was 18 months old. As a mother of a child with this diagnosis, the actress had to go through some struggles. She had to retrain her brain, but she did everything in her power to help her kid.
“You don’t have time to feel guilty, you don’t have time to feel sorry for him, for yourself or your family — it’s time to get down and busy,” she revealed. And even though her son’s diagnosis fell hard on her at the beginning, she now says that it changed her life in such a great way.
5. Sally Phillips
Even though finding out that her son, Olly, had Down syndrome was a shock for her at the time, Sally Phillips says he made her life even more meaningful. In 2016, she made a documentary called “A World Without Down Syndrome?” where she explains why the world would be a worse place if there were no people with this condition.
6. John Travolta
John’s son, Jett, was autistic and had a seizure disorder. He also suffered from Kawasaki disease — a condition that involves inflammation of the blood vessels.
Sadly, Jett passed away when he was 16 years old, but he still lives in his father’s heart and thoughts. He misses his son every day, and in his son’s memory, the actor created the Jett Travolta Foundation, a nonprofit organization for children with special needs.
7. Caterina Scorsone
Known as Dr. Amelia Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy, Caterina Scorsone is a proud mom of her daughter, Paloma. At first, when she received the Down syndrome diagnosis, the actress was scared and intimidated. But that was because she was completely unprepared and didn’t know anything about the condition. “No one is ready for a Down syndrome diagnosis for their child, but they become ready one way or another because they have to,” the actress revealed.
Caterina says that Paloma not only taught her how to be a better mom to all of her children but also how to be a better person, sister, daughter, friend, and colleague.
8. Amanda Booth
Amanda Booth found out that her son, Micah, had Down syndrome right after she gave birth to him. And after she settled in the new role as a parent to a child with this condition, Amanda decided to share their story online with people that needed it. There were also negative comments, but that taught Amanda that it is important to raise Micah to rise above the negativity and to have compassion for other people.
Booth hopes that one day, people will see her son for the person he is without seeing Down syndrome. “Micah is different, but not in the way you’d think,” she says. “His spirit radiates through a room, and everyone else feels it too. There is so much darkness in this world. I know people need to be reminded of the good. Micah is the good.”
Do you have a special child in your family or in your close circle of friends? We’d love to hear how amazing they are in the comments.
