Starting a Small Business as a Disabled Parent with Chronic Illnesses: My Journey's beginning

Starting my own business has always been a dream of mine, even when it seemed nearly impossible. Living with chronic illnesses and disabilities like fibromyalgia, FND (Functional Neurological Disorder), POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), ADHD, Autism, and more, meant I faced daily challenges. Some days, even getting out of bed feels like running a marathon.

When you add two young toddlers to the mix, it becomes a whole new level of hard! I wanted to create a business that could provide for my family and give me a sense of purpose, something that felt like mine. But the reality of balancing work, motherhood, and my health felt daunting and, at times, overwhelming.

Finding Support in Unexpected Places

From the start, I knew I couldn’t do this alone. My husband, Mike, has been my rock. There are tasks I simply can’t do on my own, thanks to cognitive challenges and physical limitations. I often experience brain fog that makes it hard to stay focused or remember small details—something that’s pretty vital when running a business! And on days when my body refuses to cooperate, Mike steps in to handle the things I physically can’t manage.

Running a business with chronic pain and unpredictable symptoms means having to constantly adapt. But having someone who truly understands my limitations, and who supports me in every way he can, has been invaluable. With Mike’s help, I’ve been able to tackle some of the challenges that might have otherwise felt impossible.

How We Found Our Purpose

We actually started out on TikTok—not to become “TikTok famous,” but to connect with other disabled parents. I wanted to learn from people facing similar struggles, juggling health, family, and life. But instead, I found something far greater—a whole community of people just like me. Not only did I get to learn from their experiences, but I realised I had a lot to offer as well. Over the years, I’d picked up insights, strategies, and solutions that others hadn’t, and I discovered I could support people by sharing what I’d learned.

One thing that always stood out to me was how “medical” and uninspiring disability aids looked. As someone who’s still relatively young, it was disheartening to find only dull, sterile-looking aids on the market. Using a cane or other medical devices can already make you feel aged beyond your years, which doesn’t help when your confidence has taken a hit from chronic illness. So, Mike and I set out to create something different—a collection of fun, cute disability aids and designs that everyone could enjoy and feel good using.

A Family-Run Business with a Purpose

Our small business is truly a family effort, with both Mike and me working together to make it possible. It’s not just about selling products—it’s about providing a sense of community and empowerment for people living with disabilities.

For anyone with a chronic illness, work is a tricky thing to navigate. There are days when I can give my all, but there are also days when my body and brain say, “Not today.” Owning a business has given me the flexibility to adapt my work around my health, but it’s still the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. If you’re navigating life with a disability, I hope our story reminds you that, yes, it’s possible to build a life and a career, even when every day brings new challenges.