Nicole Moehring

11/16/2025

As a mother with lived experience and a trained professional dedicated to protecting vulnerable individuals, I share guidance and resources in my column “Safety Goals with Nicole” so families facing trauma never have to walk this painful road alone. ~
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A parent whose children experienced abuse shares guidance and support resources for others who might find themselves in a similar traumatic situation.
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11/09/2025

There comes a point in your life when the fog lifts and the truth hits you harder than the pain ever did.

A point where you stop explaining, stop chasing, and stop wondering why people couldn’t be there the way you were for them.

You begin to see things as they are, not as you hoped they’d be.

You realize who truly matters, who never did, and who always will.
You see who shows up when the world falls apart and the silence feels unbearable and who disappears the moment things get uncomfortable.

It’s in those dark moments, when your heart is heavy and your spirit is breaking, that people reveal themselves. Not through their words, but through their absence. Not through promises, but through presence.

That’s when you learn that loyalty isn’t loud. It’s quiet. It’s the person who checks on you without being asked. The one who sits beside you in the storm and never asks when the sun will come out.

It’s the one who makes time, not excuses. Because friendship, isn't about convenience; it's about making time and being there.

There comes a point when you stop fighting for a place in people’s lives who never make room for you in theirs.

You stop carrying those who never once reached back for your hand. And you start protecting your peace the same way you protected everyone else.

That’s when you find your people, the rare souls who see your pain and stay anyway. The ones who show up when you have nothing left to give. The ones who remind you that you are never truly alone, even when it feels that way.

Because in the end, it’s not about who said they’d be there.
It’s about those who actually were.

~ Nicole Moehring

10/28/2025

As a survivor, this month holds deep meaning for me. It’s a reminder of the strength it takes to speak out, to heal, and to keep going, not just for ourselves, but for others who are still finding their voice.

I want to say thank you to my incredible friends, supporters, and community for standing beside me, for your love, encouragement, for purchasing my books, and for showing up at my speaking engagements. Your support means more than words can express.

Every book shared, every event attended, and every message of encouragement helps continue this mission to educate, empower, and engage others to end abuse and create change.

Together, we are giving survivors hope and a voice. 💜

Thank you to those who stand beside me without judgment.
No one will ever truly understand what it feels like to stand before hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people and expose the deepest wounds of my life. To relive the pain I have fought so hard to survive, not for sympathy, but so others might find strength, hope, and healing in my words. That kind of courage is born from heartbreak and pain. Then, sustained by love, faith, and undeniable purpose.

~ Nicole Moehring

10/09/2025

People Judge Without Knowing Them

It’s heartbreaking how often people judge others based on what they’ve heard instead of what they’ve seen or experienced for themselves.

They listen to rumors, believe assumptions, and repeat stories that were never theirs to tell, without ever taking the time to truly know the person behind the rumors.

Many times, it’s about jealousy. Jealousy can make people twist facts, spread lies, and try to destroy someone’s reputation for no reason other than their own insecurity or envy.

It’s sad how many people are followers, how they choose to listen to shallow opinions rather than give someone a chance.
People would rather disrespect, judge, or hurt others than search their hearts, ask questions, and learn the whole story.

But what people don’t see is that everyone is fighting battles they know nothing about. Everyone carries pain that isn’t visible to the world.

Before you judge someone, take a moment to ask yourself:

Have I truly listened to their story?Do I know what they’re carrying every day?
Do I really understand their heart?

Judging is easy. Following the crowd is easy.
But showing empathy, thinking for yourself, and choosing kindness that takes strength and character.

You never know what someone is facing behind closed doors.
So, before you choose judgment, choose compassion.

Before you repeat rumors, you’ve heard, seek truth. And before you follow the crowd, follow your heart. The world needs more kindness and less bullies and people who are out to hurt others.

09/30/2025

As a mother, I share our family’s story with the hope that it reaches those who need to hear it most, parents, guardians, caregivers, educators, law enforcement, medical and mental health professionals, and every member of the community.

Evan’s journey is not just about my son, it is about every child who has a disability and faces a system that was never built to protect them the way it should.

But what breaks me the most is knowing Evan’s story is not rare. I get calls from families whose children have suffered abuse, children who should have been safe. Again and again, I hear how the justice system failed them, just as it failed us. These are not just stories. These are innocent lives forever changed. Families left broken. Children left unprotected.

I cannot stay silent, and neither can we as a community. Our children deserve better.

Nicole Moehring

https://a.co/d/9q8A6oN
https://a.co/d/aLNOIZm

Evan’s Voice is a raw and vulnerable true story. Both of Nicole's children, a daughter and a son, who has Fragile X Syndrome and autism, have been victims of sexual abuse. Evan was sexually abused and exploited, many systems repeatedly failed him, and law enforcement discriminated against him. It....

09/05/2025

As parents, we often let go of the things we once dreamed for ourselves, trips we never took, opportunities we declined, comforts we set aside. But none of it is wasted.

Because our children won’t remember what we gave up. They’ll remember that we chose them, every single time.

And that kind of love lasts far longer than anything money could ever buy.

08/18/2025

Back-to-School Safety Reminder for All Children, especially Children with Disabilities

As the school year begins, many parents are excited to share first-day photos. But posting pictures at bus stops, in front of your child’s school, or with signs showing their name, grade, teacher, or school name can put your child at serious risk.

Perpetrators actively look for this information online. A single post can reveal your child’s daily routine, location, vulnerabilities, and identifying details, making it easier for someone with harmful intent to approach or target them.

For children with disabilities, who may be more trusting, have difficulty communicating, or rely on predictable routines, the danger is even greater. What feels like a harmless post can provide predators with everything they need to exploit your child’s innocence.

Protect your child and your family by keeping school details private. Celebrate milestones safely, share photos without location clues, school names, or personal information. After all, your child’s safety is worth more than a social media “like.”

08/10/2025

How to Support and Be a Friend to Parents of Individuals with Cognitive, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities

Parenting a child is never easy, but parenting a child with cognitive, developmental, or intellectual disabilities comes with a unique set of challenges that most people can’t fully understand unless they’re living it. These parents face a world that can feel isolating, overwhelming, and relentless. Yet, what often hurts the most is not the paperwork, therapy sessions, or sleepless nights; it’s the silence from friends and family who don’t know what to say, or who simply stop showing up. It’s the negative comments and remarks, from a lack of education and ignorance.

The truth is that these parents need friends. They need support. They need compassion. They need people who care enough to stand beside them, even if they don’t understand every detail of what they’re going through.
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You Don’t Have to Understand to Be There

You may not be able to imagine the exhaustion of advocating for your child’s education, the emotional toll of watching them be excluded, or the pain of hearing the word “no” from a system meant to help. And that’s okay. Your role as a friend isn’t to have all the answers; it’s to show up.

• Call to check in, even if you’re not sure what to say.
• Send a message that says, “I’m thinking of you.”
• Drop off coffee, dinner, or a small act of kindness.

Your presence matters more than perfect words ever could.
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If You’ve Lost Touch, Reach Out. No one is ever that busy.

If you’ve lost touch with a friend of a parent, of a child with disabilities, don’t blame them.

Appointments, advocacy, and constant caregiving often consume life in their world. Reach out to them. Extend support. Offer kindness without expectation. You may be the only one who does, and that might be exactly what they need at that moment.
You have no idea what they are genuinely going through or how heavy life really is for them. Sometimes, a simple “I’m here,” “I am thinking about you,” or “What can I do?” can be the lifeline that reminds them they are not invisible.
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Listen Without Fixing

Parents of children with disabilities are often given unsolicited advice, everything from miracle cures to “have you tried…?” suggestions. While most advice is well-intentioned, it can unintentionally feel dismissive. What they need most is someone who listens without judgment or quick solutions.

Instead of responding with advice, try:

• “That sounds incredibly hard. I’m here for you.”
• “I don’t know what you are going through, but I am always here for you.”
• “What do you need right now?”
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Celebrating Their Wins. Both Big and Small

For these parents, milestones may look different. First steps may come later, communication may be nontraditional, and progress might be measured in moments others overlook.

Be the friend who celebrates every step forward.
- A text that says, “I’m so proud of your child!”
- An invitation to celebrate an achievement, no matter how small, can mean the world to them, knowing they are not facing everything alone.
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Respect Their Reality

Life for parents of children with disabilities can be unpredictable. They may cancel plans at the last minute, leave events early, or seem unavailable for weeks. This isn’t about you; it’s about the constant demands of their life. Show grace. Keep inviting them, even if they can’t always come. Your consistency tells them they’re not forgotten. Your understanding lets them know you care.
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Advocate Alongside Them

You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference. Learn about disability inclusion, speak up when you see discrimination, and use your voice to help shift attitudes in your community.

When you stand with them publicly, you send a powerful message: You’re not in this alone.
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Remember: Friendship is a Lifeline

When the world feels like it’s closing in, a true friend can be the thing that helps a parent keep going. Loneliness is heavy, and even the strongest parents carry burdens they don’t share with the world. Your support, your simple act of caring, can be what helps them breathe a little easier.

You don’t have to fully understand what they are going through to be a good friend. You have to care enough to try.

So, call. Visit. Listen. Celebrate. Show up. Invite. Never exclude. Never let too much time pass. Actions speak louder than words to family and friends. Life is too short. Never let your friends and family with a special needs child feel they are facing this all alone. There is nothing that makes it more difficult than thinking you are alone in this world.

Your friendship could be the light they cling to in their darkest moments.

08/03/2025

The Fight You Don’t See: Why Our Children Need Services, and Why We Can’t Stop Fighting

We are the parents you don’t notice.
The ones who carry an invisible weight on their shoulders every single day.

Not because we want pity. Not because we’re looking for praise.

But because we love our children, we must fight for everything they need in the world.

We are the parents of children with disabilities.
And we are tired, but we are still fighting.
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This Is Why We Beg for Services

We fight for speech therapy not so our child can win a debate, but so they can tell us when they're in pain or say "I love you" for the very first time.

We fight for occupational therapy, not because it’s cute to see them finger paint, but because brushing their teeth, holding a spoon, tolerating a tag on a shirt… those are milestones, not moments.

We fight for physical therapy—not for medals or marathons—but so our child can walk down the hall without falling. So, they can play on the playground, climb stairs, or sit upright long enough to learn.

These therapies aren’t extras. They aren’t luxuries.
They are the tools our children need to live.

To connect.

To belong.

And yet, we are constantly made to feel like we are asking for too much.
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You Don’t See the Rest of Our Day

You don’t see the hours we spend making picture schedules, calming meltdowns, prepping sensory-friendly meals, attending appointments, begging insurance companies to reconsider a denial, emailing IEP teams, or researching specialists late at night while the rest of the world sleeps.

You don’t see the way we watch other families live in a world that fits their child, while we try to bend ours to accommodate ours.
You don’t see the grief we carry when milestones don’t come, when friends fade away, when playgrounds become places of isolation instead of joy.

And still, we show up. We love. We fight. We keep going.
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We Are Overlooked, Undermined, and Dismissed

We are told we’re “Too emotional.” That we’re “Overreacting.”
That our children will “Grow out of it.” That we should “Stop being so negative” and “Just be grateful.”

But the truth is:

We are grateful.
And we’re tired of having to prove our child’s worth repeatedly to people who don’t live this life.

We’re tired of being left off the invitation list.

Tired of being judged at the grocery store.

Tired of the whispers, the stares, the silence from friends who used to call.

Most of all, we’re tired of a system that denies our children what they need to thrive… and then blames us when they struggle.
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Why Our Children Need These Services:

Because communication is survival.

Because regulation is freedom.

Because movement is independence.

Because inclusion should not be conditional.

Speech, OT, PT, and behavioral therapy aren’t just supports.
They help our children navigate every part of their lives:
• At school, they help them learn and participate.
• At home, they reduce chaos and bring peace.
• In their bodies, they provide comfort and control.
• In their minds, they foster confidence, expression, and hope.

When services are cut, progress halts. When support is denied, children suffer. And when parents are silent, injustice wins.
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We Shouldn’t Beg to Be Seen

Being a parent is my first job, not a side task.

I don’t fight for services because I’m looking for favors.

I fight because my child’s future depends on it.

Because without them, we lose ground. We lose hope.

And I will not let my child disappear into a system that was never built for them in the first place.

To every parent and guardian out there:

I see you.

I know the tears you cry in your car after a meeting that didn’t go your way.

I know the relief of a “yes” after months of “no.”

I know what it feels like to be your child’s everything because no one else is showing up.
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This Is the Real Story

This is the part people don’t talk about at dinner parties.

This is the story behind the brave smiles, trying to hide the tears.

This is what it means to raise a child with disabilities in a world where many people still do not see them.

So, if you’ve ever been told your child doesn’t need services anymore, FIGHT.

If you’ve ever been denied services, FIGHT.

Because your child is WORTH every single moment of this battle. Your time is WORTH every single moment of the FIGHT.

Individuals with disabilities were NOT born to be silenced, sidelined, or second-class.

And neither were you!