How One Mother’s Journey Sparked a Disability Inclusion Movement Touching Families Across the Globe

When Christine Staple Ebanks became a mother for the fourth time, she expected joy, but her world was turned upside down.

Her newborn son, Nathan, was born with a life-threatening birth defect, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, requiring emergency surgery within days. He spent weeks in the NICU, suspended between life and death. While other mothers celebrated milestones, Christine faced ventilators, feeding tubes, and constant uncertainty about his survival.

Nathan was given a 50/50 chance of surviving infancy. He beat the odds.

Just as stability seemed possible, another blow landed, Nathan was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at nine months, changing their lives forever.

Christine faced emotional, logistical, and societal challenges that few expect when raising a child with disabilities. It was a journey she never asked for, but one that defined her purpose.

From this deeply personal experience, she would emerge not just as a mother but also as a global advocate. Today, Christine is a renowned changemaker, an award-winning author, and the founder of The Special Needs Mama Bear Movement, a powerful initiative that empowers families raising children with disabilities.

Her story is more than one of survival; it’s a masterclass in transformation: of channeling adversity into leadership, personal trials into a mission for change, and fear into abiding faith. Christine didn’t just endure the challenges of raising a child with disabilities; she used them to build a global platform for advocacy, connection, and empowerment.

The Early Struggles That Sparked a Global Movement

Christine’s journey began with the uncertainty of her son Nathan’s diagnosis. In those first years, she quickly learned that the systems meant to support families like hers were often fragmented and profoundly inadequate. Long waitlists made early-intervention services nearly inaccessible, while insurance regularly denied coverage for essential therapies, forcing parents to fight for the care their children needed. No one offered a clear path forward, yet life-altering decisions still had to be made.

Figuring out what came next wasn’t just hard, it was disorienting. Every therapy session, doctor’s visit, and school meeting felt like a battle, not just for services, but for dignity, inclusion, and the simple right to be heard. With no roadmap, Christine was left to rely on instinct and sheer determination.

But the most challenging part wasn’t the logistics. It was the isolation. Families like hers often faced these challenges alone, without the community support so many take for granted. While some could lean on extended family or cultural networks, others, especially those impacted by race, class, or language barriers, faced deeper layers of exclusion. Recognizing this inequality became a turning point.

To find her own way, Christine started a local support group. At that first meeting, she remembers the mismatched chairs in a quiet church hall, the smell of coffee lingering in the air, and a stack of worn worksheets on the table. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real. And in that modest circle, she found something she hadn’t felt in a long time: connection, understanding, and relief.

Turning Pain into Purpose: Founding the Special Needs Mama Bear Movement

Christine’s strong commitment to Nathan’s well-being soon turned into a bigger vision. As she met more families and heard their stories, she realized their experiences were part of something larger. It was not just about individual resilience, but about the urgent need to change the systems that affect families raising children with disabilities. Inspired by the social model of disability, Christine encouraged others to imagine new possibilities, not just for personal growth, but for real changes in how we see disability, share resources, and support each other in our communities.

This new perspective inspired her to take action. Drawing on her own experiences and understanding of what families really need, Christine founded several organizations, including Raising Special Needs Inc. in the United States and the Nathan Ebanks Foundation in Jamaica. These organizations offered more than just support; they became places for policy advocacy, education, and empowering communities.

Her vision kept growing. In 2024, she started her most personal project yet: The Special Needs Mama Bear Movement. This community-focused platform was created to support, equip, and inspire parents raising children with disabilities.

“I created the movement to remind parents that we are not invisible, not alone, and that we have strength in numbers,” Christine says. “When we roar together, we’re louder, and we can move the needle of change for families like ours. Our families deserve dignity, belonging, a voice, and the chance to thrive.”

Empowering Families: Building a Global Community

The Special Needs Mama Bear Movement has grown into a thriving global community, reaching over 127,000 parents and caregivers through both online and in-person engagement. Anchored by the Mama Bear YouTube Channel and a vibrant Facebook page, the online platform provides encouragement, resources, and peer connection. Offline, Christine continues to lead through live trainings, school visits, speaking engagements, and workshops that bring the movement’s message directly to families, educators, and community leaders.

In September 2025, The Special Needs Mama Bear Movement marked a new milestone with the launch of its curated online shop and membership portal, available at www.specialneedsmamabear.com. This expansion offers a powerful suite of resources designed to deepen support for families navigating disability. The platform features Mama Bear apparel, an interactive membership community, specialized training, and a growing collection of Christine’s books focused on advocacy, empowerment, and disability sensitization for both parents and children.

This next chapter of the movement brings Christine’s message of disability inclusion and empowerment to even more households around the globe. With 24/7 access, families can now engage with tools and information that not only build confidence but also give them the language to advocate effectively, not just for their child, but for broader community change. The goal is clear: to help parents create a life of thriving, not just surviving, for themselves and their children with special needs.

Redefining Special Needs Parenting: A Movement of Strength

It’s rare to see an honest, detailed view of what families go through while raising children with disabilities. Christine Staple Ebanks gives us that perspective. She shares her own story as a parent, combines it with years of advocacy, and connects with families worldwide through her work. Her award-winning book, Raising Nathan: Against All Odds, earned the International Impact Book Award for its powerful storytelling and global relevance. Through her writing, as well as her international speaking and training, Christine helps others understand the daily realities many families face, often quietly.

She is a mother who has faced the same challenges she now works to change. For over ten years, she has helped families and professionals learn what it really takes to support and empower children with disabilities. Her mission is simple but strong: to help families thrive, one special journey at a time.

Join the Mama Bear Movement

Christine Staple Ebanks’s journey, from a mother facing life-changing adversity to a global advocate, is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when compassion meets purpose. Through The Special Needs Mama Bear Movement, she’s creating space for families to feel less alone, more informed, and more empowered, one story, one connection at a time.

If you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or someone seeking deeper understanding, you’ll find a community that welcomes you. There’s no single path through this journey, but together, we can find strength, share wisdom, and build lives of possibility for our children and ourselves.

You can find thoughtful resources to support you on your journey at https://shop.thespecialneedsmamabear.com/, or connect with Christine and her growing community here:

• Website: https://christinestapleebanks.com/

• Instagram: @christine.stapleebanks

• Facebook: The Special Needs Mama Bear

• YouTube: The Special Needs Mama Bear

Christine’s journey proves that from the deepest struggles, powerful movements are born. She’s a living example of what happens when adversity becomes the spark for change. And through The Special Needs Mama Bear Movement, she’s helping families worldwide turn their challenges into their own victories.