Author: madvocator

Charisse Montgomery is the author of the Super Safe Kids series of books and safety tools. These tools engage children, parents, and their families in improving safety and advocacy in the hospital, the community and the home. A former educator, Charisse Montgomery has earned bachelor's and master's degrees in English, along with a master's degree in Educational Psychology, with research focused on informing and empowering parents of medically fragile children. She completed a graduate certificate in Patient Advocacy and serves on the Board at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.

Finding my Superpower: On Becoming a Trach Mom

This article was published in Complex Child e-magazine‘s annual respiratory issue. The moment the doctor told me Richie would need a tracheostomy, I felt the floor drop from beneath me. Just one week earlier, we had brought our 11-week-old baby to the emergency room because he was wheezing. Born with fiber-type disproportion myopathy, he had severe … Continue reading Finding my Superpower: On Becoming a Trach Mom

Defying Disability through Education

Across many societies around the world, including our own, disability has historically been treated as a curse or a punishment. Thinking about disability differently allows us to see disability as simply another aspect of diversity. The focus now is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities and ensure their access to the same life … Continue reading Defying Disability through Education

Why Can’t Parenting Come With An Ever-Lasting Battery?

The following was published as part of my “Teachable Moments” blog series for ProMedica HealthConnect. As the parent of a medically complex child, taking care of myself has included the need to power up in regular intervals. Richie’s first year of life was marked with hospitalizations, tests, and the slow achievement of milestones. For me, … Continue reading Why Can’t Parenting Come With An Ever-Lasting Battery?

i Testify: My testimony for the Ohio House of Reps’ Finance Commitee

I was fortunate to be able to voice my opposition to Ohio’s H.B. 64 proposal to eliminate independent providers. My testimony follows. Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Driehaus and Members of the House Finance Committee, my name is Charisse Montgomery. I am a mother, an author, an advocate, and a member of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Thank you for allowing me to testify … Continue reading i Testify: My testimony for the Ohio House of Reps’ Finance Commitee

Dear congenital fiber-type disproportion myopathy

I was challenged by the editors at TheMighty.com to write a letter to my son’s condition. This is what I wrote: Dear congenital fiber-type disproportion myopathy, You might have others convinced that you are a genetic condition that causes weak muscles and disability, but I know the truth about you. You are a thief. Before … Continue reading Dear congenital fiber-type disproportion myopathy

Madvocator Educational and Healthcare Advocacy Training

Changing the way people think and participate in education and healthcare