4 Strong Latina Moms that Inspire

As much as I enjoy being recognized for my work, it is a far greater pleasure to be able to showcase other strong, creative and determined women. If I’m having an out of sorts day, knowing I made someone else’s, through something I wrote about them, is a better mood enhancer than any happy pill.

In Mamiverse, the place for Latina moms, you can read my pieces on some of the special women I’m fortunate to be able to shine the lights on. They have all overcome odds in one way or another, and turned a challenge into an opportunity to grow and pursue their dreams. Thank you for being such an inspiration, and keep on keeping on!

Eliana Tardio, mami of two children with Down syndrome, raises awareness

While most people complain over petty things, Eliana makes being the mom of two children with Down syndrome seem easy. I’ve never heard her complain about trips to the hospital or having to juggle work and motherhood.

Latina mami  Lisana Falcon left law school to become a successful designer

Lisana’s jewelry is a reflection of who she is and where she’s from. She enrolled in Law school to appease her family but eventually followed her dream. It’s not easy to go against the grain, especially when you have kids to tend to.

Aymee Rodriguez-VanDyke was wiped out by the recession and baked her way back to success

Aymee literally lost it all to the recession: marriage, business, money, investments, her house … And yet she is an upbeat mom who rebuilds her life every single day. She is a doer, and she’s doing it her way, with her Wacky Cookie company. She involves her son in all she does. 

Monica Kennedy, mami of two, used her MBA to launch her handcrafted handbag company

Monica wanted to stay home with her kids, but she also wanted to work. She used her degree in Business Administration to manage her home business. For a few years now, she’s been designing and selling handbags she handcrafts herself, at Tuffcooki. A creative go-getter with two small tots who make her day, every day. 

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Diario del Éxito (Success Diaries) will be published in book form late in 2011 by ediciones Obelisco.To read about my books: www.lorrainecladish.com

Raising two children with Down´s Syndrome

If raising healthy kids is hard at times, raising a child with special needs is a huge challenge. And raising two children with Down´s syndrome would seem like an insurmountable situation.  

However, Eliana Tardío, a mom of two kids with Down´s syndrome not only didn´t buckle under when each of her two darlings were born, but turned it into an opportunity for spiritual growth and to provide information, support and hope to other Latino parents of children with special needs.

Eliana wrote and published two books – one for each child – in which she tells of her experience during her pregnancies and after the birth of her children. She has created a social network for parents of children with Down´s Syndrome , and an online book  in which moms of kids with special needs can participate with their own stories.

It´s been an honor to interview Eliana once again, this time for my section Consejos de mamá, in About.com en español, in which she explains how she deals with daily life as the mom of two small children, both of them with Down´s syndrome. If I ever have a bad day, all I have to do is look at Eliana and her children as a source of inspiration.

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Eliana Tardío, Author and Mom, makes Awareness of Down´s Syndrome her Life-Purpose.

Eliana Tardío is the mother of 2 children with Down´s syndrome, and they are not twins. For some people, this could be an excuse to crumble and to lose hope and faith in life. Tardío, however, turned this twist of fate into fuel for her life-purpose. Born in Bolivia 32 years ago, Tardío always wanted to be a writer. She is now a two-times published author, and her books are named after her babies. Emir of My Life, Leader of my Soul, is the heart-felt story of her pregnancy and the birth of her first child, who is now 5 years old, and Ayelén, the Joy in my Life, is dedicated to her second child, a girl. She wrote these books as a catharsis and also to share her experience and give hope to other parents of children with Down´s syndrome.
“At first it was hard to figure out how to keep on going”, shares Tardío, “but with faith and perseverance, I have built my present and the future of my children.”
More than a mom, she is also a successful professional serving the Health Department of Collier County in Florida and Healthy Start, as a Family Specialist and Educational Outreach. She is now writing her third book, and she is also a leader and advocate for parents of kids with special needs around the world. Tardío created a social network in Spanish: www.redsocialelianatardio.com/, for this purpose.
“It may be hard to believe,” she says, “but a potentially traumatic experience has turned out to be the best gift in my life, and not only has it brought me two beautiful angels, but it also gave me a mission and a reason to be happy.”
Tardío claims that the feeling of love has helped her in her journey, as well as perseverance and patience.
“People who support me and celebrate my success are special, but those who criticize are important to, because they help me realize that even though I am not perfect, there is always a perfect place for me and my loved ones.”
If doubt creeps in, she looks back on all the things she has managed to accomplish, and feels empowered.
“I celebrate every simple thing and enjoy my children´s smiles, hugs and kisses.”

Tardío believes life´s challenges are required to become stronger and that both the good times and the not-so-good moments must both be celebrated.

Eliana Tardío is my antidote to feelings of “having a bad day”. If she can write and publish books, free-lance, network, keep a job or two, devote time and effort to her children with special needs and her husband, and always wear a smile and have a great attitude, anyone can!

Website: www.elianatardio.com/

Eliana Tardío´s social network: www.redsocialelianatardio.com/

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