Category Archives: challenge

My Challenge: Missy

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It is my pleasure to introduce my friend Missy. Missy is a true warrior mom. She coaches, brings her daughter to cheer leading, gymnastics and any event featuring Sofia the First. In addition to keeping her princess happy, Missy has two sons that keep her on her toes with (pick any sport) practice.

Missy’s challenge? Anxiety


Truthfully her challenge should be that she is a Peyton Manning fan, but we are friends anyway. Missy doesn’t let anxiety stop her from being awesome at her job, working with children like Boo every day. She channels her anxiety into showing her charges that just because they have more challenges than most, with hard work and dedication they can defy expectations.


Anxiety is tough. It is a silent challenge. One that many are afraid to share for fear of misjudgment. Yet an estimated 40 MILLION Americans are challenged with a form of anxiety. Sadly, only one-third is estimated to seek assistance. Thank you, Missy for sharing your Challenge. I am especially thankful for the care you show Boo every day. For more information and resources on anxiety please visit the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

What’s your challenge is a series that was inspired by a program I created at Abby’s school. To submit your challenge, please e-mail me at firebailey@gmail.com

My Challenge: Kayla

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This is Kayla. While I have never met Kayla in person I have come to admire her through her mom Michelle’s blog, Big Blueberry Eyes. Kayla loves to dance, act and participate in Buddy Walks. Kayla has not yet met a stage that she cannot dazzle. 

Kayla has Down Syndrome and with that comes some challenges. Somethings are harder for her to do and some things take longer for her to learn. Yet having Down Syndrome doesn’t define Kayla. She is defined by her beautiful heart, the friendships she has created and the activities that keep her mom on her toes.

Thank you, Kayla for sharing your challenge. I hope one of these days to see you dancing with Boo on the beach!

There are over 400,000 persons with Down Syndrome in the United States. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm – although each person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees, or not at all. To learn more about Down Syndrome please visit the National Down Syndrome Society.


What’s your challenge is a series that was inspired by a program I created at Abby’s school. To submit your challenge, please e-mail me at firebailey@gmail.com

My Challenge: Julia

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All of us have challenges. Each and every person has to struggle to do something. This Spring at Abby’s school we charged the staff and students to share their Challenges. From the cute (can’t catch butterflies) to the heartbreaking (my mom died) every child and teacher shared.  With sharing came hope. Sharing led to compassion. Sharing led to being free to say that while the child might have a challenge, the challenge wouldn’t stop their dreams.

After I posted the program my friend Kristi at Finding Ninee encouraged me to make a Challenge Series. In reaching out to a few friends the response was amazing. May I introduce you to my first guest, Julia.


Julia is a wonderful little girl. We first met her and her family at the Pediatric Therapy. She spends hours each day working in school to learn how make her cerebral palsy work for her. This little girl is a fighter. Defying the odds and expectations of anyone foolish enough to try to put limits on her. Julia loves swimming, horseback riding, picking her sister up at the bus stop and bike riding.

Julia is 5 years old and her challenge is Cerebral Palsy. But don’t feel bad for Julia’s challenge, she just needs some extra time and help. Her smile says it all: Her Challenge makes her stronger.

There are over 800,000 persons in the US with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is a group of disorders that can affect movement, learning, hearing and thinking. Like many other syndromes, children and adult with Cerebral Palsy are as unique as their personalities. To learn more about Cerebral Palsy please visit United Cerebral Palsy

Thank you, Julia for sharing your smile with us today.

This is the inaugural post for the My Challenge Series.  To submit your challenge, take a photo holding a sign that says, “MY CHALLENGE IS X” with a short about how you do not let your challenge define you to firebailey@Gmail.com