Facing Forward Stories shares real stories from parents and parents-to-be living with chronic illness and disability—highlighting both shared experiences and unique journeys. Through these voices, we offer connection, representation, and encouragement, reminding readers they’re not alone and that there’s no single way to keep facing forward.
To launch this new series, we’ll hear from Mamas Facing Forward founder, Mariah Z. Leach, a mom of three who has been living with rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 25 and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis since childhood.
After personally experiencing the unique challenges of pregnancy and parenting with chronic illness, Mariah launched our Facebook group in 2015, and this website in 2018.
| NAME: Mariah PRONOUNS: she/her LOCATION: Louisville, Colorado, USA DIAGNOSES: Rheumatoid arthritis; Hashimoto’s thyroiditis CHILDREN: three kids ages 13, 11, & 8 |
What came first for you: chronic illness diagnosis or parenthood?
I’ve been living with Hashimoto’s since childhood and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 25. Because all three of my pregnancies came after my RA diagnosis, I knew from the start of family planning that I would be navigating it as a parent living with chronic illness.
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced as a parent or parent-to-be living with chronic illness? How have you adapted to those challenges?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been balancing the physical demands of parenting with the unpredictable nature of chronic illness. I was diagnosed with RA before becoming a mom, so every stage of family planning, trying to conceive, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and parenting has required extra thought and adaptation.
Fatigue and pain can make simple daily responsibilities like snapping baby onesies, buckling toddlers into car seats, or keeping up with busy schedules feel overwhelming, especially during flares or periods when my medications weren’t working well. I have also struggled with the emotional side of wanting to be the active mom who participates in everything, while having to accept that my body sometimes has limitations.
Over the years, I’ve learned that planning ahead and being flexible make a huge difference. We always try to prioritize the things that matter most to our family and let go of the pressure to have our family function like other families. I’ve learned that being a good parent isn’t about doing everything—it’s about showing up with love, consistency, and resilience, even on the hard days.
What does a typical day look like for you and your family? Are there specific tips or systems that help your family function day-to-day?
In general, our days revolve around balancing work, school, activities, and making sure everyone’s needs are met—including my own health needs. As my kids are now older, communication is one of our most important systems. We talk openly about schedules, responsibilities, and how everyone is doing emotionally and physically. As much as we benefit from planning ahead and sticking to routines, we also know how to adapt when unexpected situations arise. And we prioritize leaving time in our schedule for rest and play!
How do you talk to your children about your illness?
We started talking to our kids about chronic illness when they were very small—always in ways that were appropriate for their age and understanding. The truth is, my illness affects our whole family., so we’ve learned to approach it as something we all navigate together.
If my kids have questions, I try to answer them with both honesty and hope. I explain that some days my body has less energy or more pain, but that doesn’t change how much I love them or want to be with them. As they’ve gotten older, the conversations have grown with them and we’re able to talk openly about what’s happening and what I need.
We also make space for their feelings, because it can be confusing or frustrating for them at times too. One thing that has helped is reading children’s books together that focus on chronic illness and the emotions they might be experiencing—those stories can open the door to conversations that might otherwise feel hard for the kids to start.
Our goal is for them to feel informed, supported, and confident that we can face this together.
What kind of support has made the biggest difference for you?
Connecting with the chronic illness community has made a huge difference for me, particularly the ability to connect with other parents who understand the unique challenges of balancing illness and parenthood. I’ve been able to both give and receive support within this community, and that has bolstered my resilience and given me energy to keep facing forward.
What is something you wish more people understood about parenting with chronic illness?
I wish more people understood that needing accommodations, support, flexibility, or rest does not make someone a less capable or less loving parent. Parenting with chronic illness may look different from “typical” parents at times, but different does not mean inadequate. In many ways, living with chronic illness has allowed me to teach my children empathy, resilience, adaptability, and compassion in ways that become even more meaningful as they grow.
If you could go back to the day of your diagnosis, what would you tell yourself?
I would tell myself that all my life dreams are still achievable—it’s just going to look a bit different than what I had expected. When I was first diagnosed with RA at age 25, I worried a lot about what it would mean for my future, especially my dreams of becoming a mother. I wish I could reassure my younger self that there would still be joy, purpose, love, and meaningful experiences ahead, even alongside chronic illness.
What does “facing forward” mean to you?
To me, “facing forward” is what allows me to keep going when everything feels impossible. Sometimes I take things a day at a time, sometimes an hour—or even a minute at a time—but as long as I keep facing forward, I trust that I’ll find a way to keep going.
Here’s where you can connect with Mariah online!
- Website: MariahZLeach.com
- Instagram: @MariahForward
- Facebook Group: Mamas Facing Forward
- LinkedIn: Mariah Z. Leach
| 🌿 Facing Forward Moments: Mariah’s Recent Parenting WIN! 🌿 The other day, I walked into my 8yo daughter’s room, where she has an easel with a chalkboard. On the chalkboard, she had drawn planet earth with the caption “kindness is the world.” Seeing it me feel like I must be doing something right! |
💛 Want to share your own story? Send an email to: info @ mamasfacingforward.com
💬 Join our community: Mamas Facing Forward Facebook group
📚 Explore children’s books about chronic illness!
👩🍼Read Mariah’s story of New Motherhood with Rheumatoid Arthritis
