Why VELA? A Journey Fueled by Love, Advocacy, and Community

If you know me, you know that my life's work didn't come from a job description, a degree, or a career plan, it came from my daughter, Mariana.

Mariana is 6 years old and has complex medical needs. She is nonverbal, uses a feeding tube, has a tracheostomy, and relies on ventilator support and skilled nursing care. Navigating medical systems, therapies, and special education services quickly became part of our daily life.

People often ask: Why VELA? 

At its core, it’s simple: families with children of disabilities deserve support, clarity, and a community that understands. The systems can be overwhelming and the fights never-ending, and no parent should be expected to walk the disability journey alone - least of all one built with so many barriers in place.

A Battle That Doesn’t End

When you’re raising a child with complex medical needs, there are no pauses, no breaks, no such thing as a “regular day.” Each day brings something new. Another meeting, another therapy, another specialist, another phone call, another hurdle with school or insurance, and countless moments where all you can do is hold your breath and hope that things go right.

Advocating for Mariana has never felt optional - it’s been a matter of survival. I’ve fought for safe school nursing, for her medical needs to be taken seriously, and for her to be seen. This journey has pushed me to discover a resilience I never imagined. The fight continues because her needs continue. And as long as she keeps fighting, I’ll be right there with her.

How VELA Became My Anchor

Before I found VELA in 2023, I was overwhelmed and struggling to get Mariana the nursing care she needed to attend school safely. While desperately searching for help and answers, I came across a VELA social media ad. 

That moment led me to the Special Education (SPED) Course, where I learned about my rights as a parent, strengthened my advocacy skills, and gained the confidence to navigate the school system.

What VELA gave me wasn't just knowledge, it was understanding. It was a community that looked like me, struggled like me, and pushed forward like me. For the first time, I felt seen, supported, and empowered.

VELA helped me find my voice, and now I get to use that voice to help other parents find theirs. Every time I share a resource, answer a question, or help a parent navigate a challenge, I remember how it felt to be in their shoes searching for support. That's why I show up. Because VELA showed up for me.

Passion With Purpose

My passion for VELA comes from real-life experiences: from hospital rooms, ARD meetings, late-night Google searches, and the quiet moments where I wonder if I’m doing enough.

VELA lets me turn that lived experience into power. It lets me turn pain into purpose. And most importantly, it lets me be part of something bigger, “families uplifting families.”

Why I’ll Never Stop Advocating

Just like you, I’m still advocating for Mariana every single day. Working for VELA doesn’t change the fact that I am first and foremost her parent, and I still have to show up, speak up, and fight for her rights and needs. This experience has taught me that my journey didn’t end when I joined VELA; it expanded. I continue to advocate for Mariana, and now I also stand alongside every parent who is trying to survive, love, and fight for their child all at once.

Advocacy isn’t a one-time act; it’s a lifelong commitment. And VELA gives me a platform to create change not just for my daughter, but for all families of children with disabilities.

This Is More Than Work

VELA isn't just an organization.

It's a home.

It's a lifeline.

It's a promise to families that they are seen, supported, and not alone.

And that's why I do this.

If my journey with Mariana has taught me anything, it's that community is everything. VELA is the community I needed when I was searching for answers, and it's the community I'm proud to help strengthen for other families today.

If you're a parent of a child with a disability and you're feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or simply looking for support, we're here to walk alongside you. Reach out to us—we'd love to connect.

And if you call VELA, there's a good chance you'll end up talking to me, so don't forget to say hi!❤️