Military Special Needs Network
Proudly Supporting all Military Families with a Special Needs Dependent
Military Spouse of the Day: Brenda Mercado
Brenda Mercado is our Marine Corps Military Special Needs Network Spouse of the Day. Her Marine is stationed in the National Capital Area. They have two beautiful boys, an 8 year old named Richard and a 3 year old named Jaxon.
Richard was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 5. Brenda continues to look for the right medication that will not suppress his appetite, but will keep his focus to help with school, home, and with his organizational skills.
Jaxon was diagnosed w Autism at the age of 2 and currently is participates in Occupational Therapy, ABA Therapy and is enrolled in infants and toddlers as well. She believes early intervention will help. So far he has made great progress, but, of course, as he gets older again there are different challenges socially and behaviorally.
They both have come a long way and she believes they will accomplish many wonderful things in life. The hard work will hopefully pay off.
Brenda says the best part of being a military housewife is meeting different people from different places, and making new friends that understand what it is like to move around. They know how difficult it can be to for our husbands not to be around at times and what it means to feel alone. “Essentially starting a new life and how hard that adjustment can be for my kids away from the rest of our family and what they were used too. Its nice to meet women who understand and get even more exciting to explore new places.”
We asked Brenda what advice she would give herself if she could travel back in time and talk to a newly married Brenda. She said that she would tell herself to “have lots and lots of patience and understanding. It is very difficult to foresee the future, but it is the way we handle it that makes all difference in world. No matter what problems or hurdles come our way, as a family and team we can get through it all with communication, patience and understanding, by being the supportive wife my husband needs, and by being the fighter my sons with their disabilities need.”
Brenda and her Marine Michael are tireless champions for their children. Their advice to EFMP families would be to “be proactive, attend EFMP sponsored events, and to ensure you know all the resources your EFMP offers.” The Military Special Needs Network honors and salutes Brenda Mercado. We thank you for being such a wonderful military spouse and an amazing advocate.
Military Special Needs Network 