We Love Her as She is with Leah Crum

In this week’s episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, Leah shares her experiences as a young mom to Camilla, a child born with unexpected medical challenges. From the intense early days in the NICU to navigating medical appointments and therapies, Leah offers insights for parents facing similar challenges and for anyone seeking to create a more inclusive world.

Join us as we explore what it means to want motherhood more than a career, learn your capabilities as an advocate for your child, and choose to assume all children are competent, regardless of their differences. Leah reminds us that every child deserves to be seen, included, understood, and loved.

Embracing Motherhood

Becoming a mother is always life-changing, but for Leah Crum, it took an unexpected turn the day her daughter Camilla was born. As a 21-year-old college student with ambitions, Leah suddenly found herself prioritizing raising her daughter over her potential career.

The first days of Camilla's life were a whirlwind of emotions and changes. Leah and her husband were faced with the possibility that their daughter might not survive. The doctors' initial prognosis was not optimistic, and they were told Camilla might not live longer than five days. In those early moments, Leah felt almost robbed of the fulfilling responsibility of being a mother.

However, as the days passed, Camilla continued to improve, and Leah and her husband are happy to have her as long as they can.

Learning to Advocate

As Camilla began to progress, Leah quickly realized that being a mom to a child with special abilities meant becoming an advocate for her. Leah's scientific background and her experience working in pediatric dentistry proved to be blessings for her and her husband. One thing they have found as they have navigated life’s challenges together is that God prepares people for what is coming in their lives. 

Leah has persistently advocated for Camilla's right to have a voice, making countless phone calls and refusing to take no for an answer. Her determination paid off, resulting in an earlier evaluation of a communication device and opening up new possibilities for Camilla's development. 

Assuming Competence

One of the most powerful lessons Leah learned on her journey with Camilla was the importance of assuming competence. Despite predictions about Camilla's future abilities, Leah chose to believe in her daughter's potential and to treat her with respect and understanding.

Many people are quick to underestimate Camilla based on her diagnosis. They often times speak about her as if she couldn't understand or make assumptions about her cognitive abilities based solely on her physical challenges. It is Leah’s mission to educate others about the toxicity of these assumptions and to always understand that children who are different visually or mentally are capable of understanding and engaging with their environments.

Choosing to live this way has helped Leah see the beauty in different forms of communication and understanding. By choosing to assume competence, Leah has helped others see beyond the surface and connect meaningfully with her daughter and many other children.

Creating an Inclusive World

Through her experiences with Camilla, Leah gained a new perspective on the importance of creating an inclusive world for all children, regardless of their abilities. The greatest challenges come from others' attitudes and misconceptions.

Leah found that children, in particular, are often more open and accepting than adults. Children have a natural empathy and inclusivity that, when given the chance, can understand and connect with others who may be different from them.

In public spaces, Leah speaks up about it. When faced with insensitive comments or stares, she chooses to educate rather than react with anger. She encourages people to speak directly to Camilla, not just about her. Through these interactions, Leah works to create a more inclusive environment not just for Camilla but for all children with special abilities.

Choose to Interact with Kindness

Leah and Camilla’s story helps us understand what we are capable of. Their story challenges us all to reconsider our preconceptions about ability and to create an environment where everyone can feel loved and included.

As we reflect on Leah's experiences, let's commit to assuming competence in everyone, regardless of their apparent abilities or challenges. By assuming competence and fostering understanding, we can create a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. You can be the change we wish to see, one interaction at a time. Let's build a more inclusive, compassionate, and understanding world for all children together.

Thank you for supporting Conquering Your Clownfish. If you are interested in learning more about us and what we do, please visit our website at ConqueringYourClownfish.com.

If you would like to learn more about Leah and her experiences with Camilla, you can find her here:

@leahcrum_