Military Special Needs Network
Proudly Supporting all Military Families with a Special Needs Dependent
Military Spouse of the Day: Lee-Ann Cotner
Introducing Lee-Ann Cotner, an Army wife, and our MSNN Military Spouse of the Day. She and her husband have been married four years and have five children, Peyton, Parker, Charlotte, Quinn, and Harvey.
What she loves most about being a military spouse is the pride she has for her husband and his love for our country. She enjoys getting to live in different places, from the beaches of Hawaii to the woods of North Carolina and all that they have left to see and experience.
What it means to have special needs children in their family is to have a whole lot of love, sweat, and tears. Lee-Ann says, “All of our children are rockstars and resilient. Whether it be our children with special needs who have overcome so much or our other children who are their biggest supporters, they have taken everything in stride.”
Although their newly adopted son spent his first 16-months of his life in an orphanage in Eastern Europe, his smile warms everyone he meets. He is rocking his extra chromosome and cystic fibrosis and continues to shine. Her 6-yr old also has special needs including EOE, celiac, FTT, and asthma, but with great medical teams, is doing great.
Having children with special needs also means many, many doctor appointments, surgeries, labs, therapy sessions, and tears. Lee-Ann’s biggest advice to other special needs families is never to give up and always be your child’s voice. She says, “I know the road is tough, and there are many curves and bumps along the way but, take a note from your children and be resilient. Never give up fighting for what you know your child needs, wants and deserves! Some days are hard, I mean REALLY HARD but, just know you can do this and that there is another mama out there going through the same thing. Lift another mama up whenever you can because we are all fighting the good fight. And our kids are the ones who will come out on top and shine!”
The Military Special Needs Network honors and salutes Lee-Ann Cotner, our Military Spouse of the Day. We thank you for being such a wonderful military spouse and an amazing advocate.
2 comments on “Military Spouse of the Day: Lee-Ann Cotner”
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Military Special Needs Network 
What a beautiful and courageous family! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
What a beautiful story honoring such a wonderful family. I am so proud to call you my friend Lee-Ann.