What happens when a mother realises her child is being treated as invisible?
In this emotional episode of Creative women, leading change, hosts Mirjana Arlaud and Shea Karssing sit down with Christine Staple Ebanks — author, speaker, advocate, and founder of the Nathan Ebanks Foundation and The Special Needs Mama Bear.
Christine shares the life-changing journey that began when her son Nathan was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at just nine months old — and the moment she understood that if she wanted the world to see him fully, she would have to become his voice.
From fighting to get answers from doctors, to sitting in his kindergarten classroom and witnessing children speak to everyone except him, Christine reveals how heartbreak became advocacy, and how creativity became her most powerful tool for change.
What started as a handmade construction-paper storybook eventually became I’m Just Like You but Different (designed and illustrated by Future by Design), a book now helping children, educators, and families around the world have more compassionate conversations about disability and inclusion.
This is a conversation about motherhood, resilience, empathy, visibility, and what becomes possible when someone refuses to stay silent.
Episode highlights
- The medical journey that changed Christine’s life forever
- Why she walked away from corporate success to become an advocate
- The classroom moment that revealed her son was being treated as invisible
- How a homemade children’s book sparked global conversations on inclusion
- The harmful assumptions society still makes about disability
- Why advocacy is both emotional work and strategic work
- The importance of community, empathy, and finding your “tribe”
Quotes by Christine
“There was something in me that was saying there's something that's not quite clicking with this child.”
“Advocacy called me, and it picked me — because it was not on my agenda.”
“People with disabilities are people who express themselves in a different way, and what we need is to understand their needs so that we can create that space for them to be included.”
“Advocacy is a skill and an art... the goal is not just for you to get off what's on your chest, but the goal is for you to be able to get that result for your child.”
“I began to realize the power of using the creative space as a modality to work with other people.”
“I talk a lot about finding your tribe... people who you can call on when you’re feeling demotivated or challenged.”
“Start wherever you are, start with whatever is in your hands… Even if it helps one person, it is worth it.”
Resources and actions
- Read Christine Ebanks' books
- Learn more about raising a child with special needs with The Special Needs Mama Bear.
- Read In Pursuit of Purpose by Myles Munroe
- Read The Three Laws of Performance by Steve Zaffron and Dave Logan
- Reflect → What small act of kindness will make someone else feel seen?
