Military Special Needs Network
Proudly Supporting all Military Families with a Special Needs Dependent
Military Spouse of the Day: Rachel Conley
Introducing Rachel Conley, Coast Guard spouse, married to her high school sweetheart James for 10 years and currently living in Maryland. They have three precious children. Rachel tells us, “Our life is nothing short of an incredible adventure. Life, of course, is full of ups and downs, but I strive to live each day with grace, positivity, and perspective. Over the last year, I have certainly drawn on that mind-set as my husband serves in the Middle East on his 21st deployment.”
Rachel shares that there are many aspects that she loves about being a military wife, but without a doubt, it’s the military community itself that she loves most of all. Rachel is a tireless volunteer for the military, devoting over 5,500 yearly hours to advocate for communicate with, and provide resources to members, families, and veterans. This will forever be one of the greatest honors of her life.
Rachel says that she is incredibly blessed to be the mother of her three amazing children, all of whom have various special needs. She says, “To be a special needs mommy means … advocating, educating (myself and others), boxes of medical supplies, worry, strength, exhaustion, fighting for necessary accommodations, meetings, unimaginable joy, perseverance, doctor’s appointments, the ability to place an NG Feeding Tube in seconds (without help). It means that I take nothing for granted, that I truly know what’s important in life – and, more importantly, what’s not.”
She goes on to say some very powerful words. “Our world is filled with incredible people – people who face obstacles. We all do. As a special needs mother, I can tell you – sometimes the biggest obstacle can come in the form of a cookie, a word, a teacher who only sees your disabilities. And, sometimes a miracle comes on your fifth birthday when you take your first taste of cake, when you say your first word to your deployed father, when you prove your ABILITIES and earn that A. What does it mean to be a special needs mommy? It means my cup runneth over. Every. Single. Day.”
The Military Special Needs Network honors and salutes Rachel Conley, our Military Spouse of the Day. We thank you for being such a wonderful military spouse and an amazing advocate.
Military Special Needs Network 