Sparkles

Sparkles is a full-time mother and proud of her children, her accomplishments, and of herself. Despite having an intellectual disability, she is both a capable and loving mother who takes her real-life experiences to better her children, two out of her three children are also clients of Alta California Regional Center. Her warm and affectionate personality makes people flock to her, and she is a pillar of positivity and advice for extended members of her family.

Sparkles hopes to go back to work in some capacity after her youngest son, who is currently 17 months old, goes to school. She enjoyed community work and volunteering at schools as she prides herself on caring for children. For now, she enjoys being there for her youngest child, and greeting her middle and oldest child when they come home from school.

Despite the “rollercoaster” of being a parent to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Sparkles fondly looks at motherhood, and all things associated with it. One of her favorite aspects of motherhood was giving birth to her children because of the intensity of the emotional connection and bond she felt upon meeting her children for the first time. Sparkles’s oldest daughter jokes that her mother is constantly crying, but Sparkles understands it is out of joy and happiness as she watches her children grow, develop, and eventually graduate.

As a Black family, Sparkles views Black History Month as an important time to reflect over her and her family’s lives, along with the lives of famous Black people who paved the way for civil rights and equality. Sparkles considers the family unity as a necessary component to the celebration of Black History Month, and she practices togetherness by hosting a lot of family gatherings. In addition, she informs her children about prominent Black role models and teaches them their history.

As a parent to children with disabilities, Sparkles advises other parents to live day by day and to understand the problem won’t be solved immediately. Patience, advocacy, and research are necessary components to being a parent to disabled children. Sparkles also encourages parents to pay attention to any signs that might hint at developmental differences and to seek help and information.