11 Celebs Told How Their Children With Disabilities Helped Them See the World in a New Way

There is no doubt that raising children is very difficult, as it involves responsibility, care and continuous teaching. If the child has a disability, the task becomes even more demanding. However, it also opens the door to a paradise of enhanced learning and affection. This is just another way of proving that nothing can stop you when you love someone.

In Now I’ve Seen Everything we want to share with you the experience that celebrities had with their exceptional little ones. You’ll see that they’re all heartwarming stories of love and care.

1. Caterina Scorsone

The Canadian-born Grey’s Anatomy star has a daughter named Paloma who is ever-present on the 40-year-old actress’ social media. Paloma was born with Down syndrome and, since her birth in 2016, Caterina has become a leading voice for raising awareness about this genetic disorder.

In her interviews, Caterina makes powerful statements about her daughter. She says: “Pippa is different, so are you and me. Pippa has needs that are specific to the way her body was formed. I have needs that are specific to the way my body was formed, we all have them.” She said that at first she was afraid, as she knew nothing about this disorder, but then she felt that “Pippa’s difference lit a flame” in her life and in her family’s life.

2. Amanda Booth

Model and actress Amanda Booth has been working to make a much-needed change in the media and fashion industries thanks to the inspiration of her son Micah, who has Down syndrome and autism. Amanda says she began to feel this need when she returned to work after giving birth to Micah. “I started noticing that, when I went out to work, I saw a lot of babies at auditions all the time. And I was like, ’Why isn’t anyone asking about my baby at these castings?” she recalls.

Booth says one of her favorite things about Micah is “his ability to sense kindness in others.” She explains that “he’s like a barometer that highlights everyone’s kindness when he walks into a room.” Amanda works very hard to help the world see more diverse beauty, and she’s not afraid to answer other people’s questions about her son’s condition. She says she is ready to explain why her son gets upset or doesn’t behave like others, and does so willingly and for anyone who is interested.

3. Toni Braxton

Toni gave birth to her second son, Diezel, in 2003. At the age of 3, he was diagnosed with autism. Toni did not collapse tragically with this news and began to fight for her son. She learned from some programs how to develop and educate the child and, in 2016, made a surprising announcement to the public.

Braxton said her 19-year-old son stopped having autism spectrum traits and fully recovered from his condition. She described her son as a “social butterfly” and said the recovery from the disorder was made possible because of her timely intervention, consistent work and special programs for children with autism that she took at the Autism Speaks foundation.

Today, Diezel Braxton is a sought-after model who signed a contract with one of the world’s top modeling agencies and is quickly gaining popularity as an Instagram star.

4. Sylvester Stallone

When people hear the name Sylvester Stallone, they immediately think of Rocky: a tough man with an even tougher heart. Stallone’s son, Seargeoh, was diagnosed with autism at a very young age, and here’s what his father had to say about it, “We have to accept Seargeoh for who he is and understand that his path is more quiet and reserved.” Seargeoh appeared in Rocky 2 as Rocky’s newborn son.

5. Katie Price

Katie Price is a very successful model, and she is also a mom. Her son Harvey was born in 2002 and was diagnosed with autism, blindness and Prader-Willi syndrome. One of the biggest concerns with this condition is that the child lacks the ability to know when they are full, so they continue to eat. This can lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes, each with their own medical side effects.

But Katie has overcome all the problems and adversity together with her son, and now proudly says on her Instagram, “I’ve watched you grow into a handsome man my Harvey bear I love you, and wouldn’t change you for the world.”

6. John McGinley

Famous actor John McGinley has a son named Max who has Down syndrome. John actively works to advocate for people with Down syndrome. In 2011, he received the Quincy Jones Foundation’s Outstanding Advocacy Award for his work with people having Down syndrome and developmental disabilities in general.

In an interview, he explained what it’s like to have a child with a disability: “The first few months, it felt like we were hit over the head with some kind of cosmic hammer...but sooner or later you have to do something. You have to choose an aggressive action about what you’re going to do for this life. For me, Max is, ’You’ve got to do it for me, forget about your stuff, Dad, I’m here.’”

7. Colin Farrell

Colin Farrell’s son, James, suffers from a genetic condition called Angelman syndrome. This disorder can cause jerky movements. Colin has worked extensively with the Angelman Syndrome Foundation and says, “When you’re the parent of a child with a disability, it’s important to feel like you’re not alone.” That’s why he started working with the foundation.

8. Christopher Gorham

Ugly Betty star Christopher Gorham has a son named Lucas who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome when he was about 9 years old. “It’s upsetting to know something is wrong with your child,” he said of the diagnosis. “At the same time, it’s a relief to know what’s wrong with your little one, because if you know what’s wrong, you can start taking steps to help him.”

Christopher noticed that his son was falling behind his second-grade peers, and that’s when they had to face the diagnosis. Since then, he and his wife have been busy with his therapy. Gorham says he empathizes with all parents who have children with disabilities, as he has gone through many changes and endured a lot of stress. But he sees the positive side of this ordeal, as his wife, in his words, turned out to be a “real superhero” in coping with the situation.

9. Gary Cole

Actor Gary Cole first suspected his daughter Mary was a person with a disability when she was 2 years old. He says, “She didn’t process information like you or me, and she didn’t pick up on social cues.” She was diagnosed with autism, but has led a normal life. She received therapy and guidance from a personal assistant who helped her attend a regular elementary and high school in California. Gary’s advice to parents who have children with disabilities is, “Look for answers, and the sooner the better.”

10. Jenny McCarthy

When Evan, her son, was diagnosed with autism, Jenny McCarthy says he stopped talking and began to ignore the world around him. Because, she says, “that’s what most children with autism do: they shut themselves off.” However, she was determined to help him recover. So she began looking for treatments.

One of the things she did was modify the family’s eating habits, she also tried video modeling and play therapy to teach him to play with toys, and it turns out that her “warrior spirit” did help Evan. According to Jenny, the boy has made great strides. “He’s doing great,” she says. “He’s considered recovered.”

11. Leticia Calderón

Mexican actress Leticia Calderón has a son, Luciano, with Down syndrome. The telenovela star said in an interview that since her son was diagnosed, she always wanted to learn more about the subject: “Since Luciano was born, I have been diligent as a mother. They told me ’you have a child with Down syndrome’, ’What is that, how do you do it?’ Since he was three months old my son has had therapies and I have worked with him day and night to this day.”

What other celebrity do you know who has a special story with their children?