Paving the Way
A Mother and Daughter’s Journey to Roberts Wesleyan University
18 years ago, I became a first-time mom
What a joy it was to raise a beautiful daughter. From the moment she entered my life, I loved her deeply and fiercely. What I didn’t know then was the road we would walk together over the next 18 years. A road filled with advocacy, tears, prayers, challenges, victories, exhaustion, perseverance, and moments that would stretch me in ways I could have never imagined, especially when it came to her academic journey.
For years, I sat in meetings trying to explain my child to people who only saw her on paper. IEP after IEP. Psychological evaluations. Behavioral specialists. Assessments. Conferences. Homeschooling, private school, public school. Pushing for services. Asking questions when I barely even knew the right questions to ask.
I advocated when I was tired. I advocated when I felt overwhelmed. I advocated when I felt completely alone. I just knew she needed more. And if you are a parent raising a child with different abilities, then you understand how emotional that journey can be. There were so many nights I cried, not because I didn’t believe in her, but because I didn’t always know how to help her. I constantly wondered if I was doing enough or if I was missing something that could make things easier for her.
Navigating systems that are not always built for children who learn differently can feel exhausting. It stretches you emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and financially.
But even through all of that, we didn’t quit.
Even through the exhaustion, confusion, setbacks, and moments where I felt like I had nothing left to give, we just kept moving forward. Kept trusting God.
Even through the exhaustion, confusion, setbacks, and moments where I felt like I had nothing left to give, we just kept moving forward. Kept trusting God. Kept believing there was still more for her life. Kept showing up, advocating, praying, learning, and doing whatever we could with the strength we had in that season.
As her graduation got closer this year, I started feeling the weight of one question: “What’s next?”
I knew simply sending her into the workforce without support did not feel right, but I also worried that a traditional college path might feel overwhelming for her. So I did what I have learned to do every time I reach the end of myself. I placed it before the Father. One thing life has taught me is that God loves my children even more than I do, and He has never failed us. So I trusted that when the timing was right, He would reveal the next step for her life.
And He did.
While exploring Roberts Wesleyan University for myself as an adult student, I came across information about the ARCH Program. I remember reading through it once, then reading it again, and immediately feeling emotional because it felt like I was reading about something created with my daughter in mind.
A place that considered how she learns. A place that would support her growth. A place that would help build life skills while also helping her move confidently into adulthood.
For the first time in a long time, I felt hope surrounding her future. We applied, prayed, and trusted God with the outcome.
Then came the interview process.
Watching her walk onto that campus and seeing something shift in her as she realized, “I can do this,” is a moment I will never forget. It felt like something inside of me could finally exhale after years of carrying concern about what her future would look like.
What makes this story even more meaningful to me is that we will now both be attending Roberts together. As I stepped out in faith pursuing higher education in my adult years, I had no idea that journey would also help pave the way for my daughter’s future.
Looking back now, it almost feels as though God allowed me to go first so I could help lead the way for her. To every parent advocating for their child, especially those raising children with different abilities, do not give up. Keep asking questions. Keep fighting for resources. Keep believing in your child even on the hard days.
And most importantly, keep placing them before God. He sees them fully. He understands their needs completely. And He is faithful to provide direction, wisdom, and provision in ways we could never orchestrate on our own.
Today, my heart is full of gratitude. Grateful for a university willing to create opportunities for students who simply need support and understanding to thrive.
Learn More About the ARCH Program
About the author
Amanda Williams
Amanda Williams is a wife, mother of three, ministry leader, and adult student at Roberts Wesleyan University pursuing a degree in psychology. Passionate about faith, advocacy, and helping others walk in purpose, Amanda has spent years navigating educational advocacy for her daughter while also stepping into her own academic journey. Through storytelling and transparency, she hopes to encourage families raising children with different abilities to keep trusting God, keep advocating, and never lose hope.