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.
When I was experiencing my daughter’s first year of life, I needed support, understanding, and someone to help me stay present. If I could have attended a local (heck, even a virtual, before they were all the rage) clubfoot parent support group, I would have signed up immediately. In writing this book, I hoped to create what would have helped me during that time: resources, tips, tricks, and anecdotes from a mother who has already lived the clubfoot experience with her child, all with the goal of helping others in a similar situation.
I have partnered with the organization We Are Brave Together to create a Virtual Support Group just for Moms of Clubfoot Cuties. It is a place for you to come and connect with other clubfoot moms through shared experiences. It is a safe and welcoming place where you are free to share exactly how you are feeling and find support from other community members.
Listen to the podcast I did with the founder of We Are Brave Together, Jessica Patay.
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.