Meet Maureen
I am a mom who has learned to be okay with knowing that, “I don’t know what I don’t know.” My world was forever changed when my youngest daughter was diagnosed with the congenital birth defect clubfoot. At my core, I believe I am the same person I was at the time of her diagnosis, but through her treatment journey, I have learned to value the growth that comes through significant challenges.
The first year of my daughter’s life, the most intense part of clubfoot treatment, was the most challenging year of my life. Like many parents, I didn’t get enough sleep, I had zero self-care habits in place, and was paralyzed by my constant companion, anxiety.
During that year, I was too overwhelmed to reach out for support, felt isolated, unheard, and devalued. I wasn’t able to see how much I had grown and changed during this difficult period, until I was on the other side of it. When I reflected on all we had been through as a family, and my own very personal struggle, I saw how much stronger and resilient I had become. It was after this realization that I refound my passion for growth and change.
I wrote Clubfoot Chronicles for all the parents who are struggling, just as I had. For parents and caregivers who feel like they don’t have the adequate support or resources to feel successful in their child’s clubfoot treatment journey. I am passionate about creating resources for both the treatment and emotional journey for clubfoot parents. I want to empower clubfoot parents by equipping them with the information they need and instilling confidence in their ability to make the best decisions for their children.
Before having a child with a medical difference, I wasn’t good at listening to my instincts, trusting my inherent strength, or empowering myself to keep asking hard questions. One of the greatest lessons I learned on my clubfoot parenting journey was that I had the ability to advocate for my child. I want to help other parents tap into their own strengths and abilities to advocate for their children, and empower them through the coaching alliance along their way.
Let’s be real, having a child is difficult, but having a child born with a medical difference presents an entirely different type of challenge. I believe seeing the beauty in your journey with your clubfoot cutie, sharing your story, and valuing your experience can create a foundational support system for you and your family; and I am here to help.
Clubfoot Connection Anthology
Every clubfoot journey is unique, but no family should have to walk it alone.
As co-editor of the Clubfoot Connection Anthology alongside Betsy Miller, I had the privilege of helping bring together the voices of parents from around the world who courageously shared their stories. Together, these experiences offer hope, encouragement, and a reminder that there is no one "right" way to navigate a clubfoot journey.
The anthology was created so that newly diagnosed families can see themselves in the stories of others, celebrating victories, acknowledging challenges, and finding comfort in knowing they are not alone. Whether you're just beginning treatment or reflecting on years of growth, these shared experiences remind us that every family's story has the power to inspire, connect, and empower another.
I believe that when parents share their stories, they become a source of hope for the next family searching for answers.
Hobbies
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Arts in English from Regis University in 2007
Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Regis University in 2012
Completed life coach training at Institute for Life Coach Training in 2021
Experienced mama of 3 incredibly brilliant, strong, and fierce little girls- while this is not a fancy degree from a prestigious school, it is my real world, hands-on experience.