Christine E Staple Ebanks’ memoir, Raising Nathan Against All Odds, offers a powerful story of resilience, hope, and purpose in the face of adversity.
A Life-Changing Moment
In a quiet hospital room, with the gentle hum of machines in the background, Christine E Staple Ebanks faced a moment that forever changed her understanding of motherhood, resilience, and purpose. Her newborn son, Nathan, arrived with unexpected medical challenges that required immediate surgery and thrust her into a world she had never imagined navigating. In that instant, the dreams she held for her child shifted, but so did something else: a steady determination to fight for him, a resolve she did not yet know would one day inspire a movement.
Today, Christine is widely recognized as the Special Needs Mama Bear CEO and founder of the movement. This community-driven global platform empowers parents to advocate with strength, clarity, and confidence.
Transformation: Becoming the Special Needs Mama Bear
Nathan had surgery at three days old and a 50/50 chance of surviving infancy. After spending a month in the hospital, Christine felt relieved when he came home, but her instincts told her something was still wrong. Over the next few months, she noticed developmental delays that doctors dismissed. By nine months, Nathan was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, but the diagnosis came with no guidance or resources on what to do next.
For Christine, a mother of four, the news changed everything she knew about parenting. She left her successful marketing career to care for Nathan full-time, quickly learning that long-term caregiving required more than love, it required reinvention. What began as an act of necessity became the beginning of a profound personal transformation, driven by her determination to help her son thrive.
As Christine searched for disability care in Jamaica, she found limited services and support for children with disabilities. Many families had no help or information. During this time, Christine became known as the “Special Needs Mama Bear,” a mother who spoke up, led with compassion, and fought for families like hers.
Determined to create change, she founded the Nathan Ebanks Foundation while living in Jamaica to advocate for inclusion, early support, and better care for children with disabilities. Her work offered families the hope and direction she once longed for.
When Nathan became a teenager, Christine and her family moved to the United States. Although more resources were available, the systems were complex and overwhelming. Like many parents, Christine found herself feeling lost, isolated, and unsure of how to navigate it all. Having more choices did not make things easier; instead, it revealed how difficult it can be for families to find their way.
Experiencing both scarcity in Jamaica and complexity in the United States taught Christine one thing: all parents of children with disabilities need guidance, support, training, and community. She saw how families benefit from someone who has walked the journey before them, and how much professionals can learn from informed, experienced parents.
This purpose inspired her to establish Raising Special Needs Inc. and The Special Needs Mama Bear Movement (USA), both dedicated to empowering families and building inclusive systems. Writing and public speaking followed naturally, as Christine realized that her story could encourage, educate, and open doors for others.
Her award-winning eighth book, Raising Nathan Against All Odds: Discovering the Blessings, Joy, and Purpose in Raising a Child with Disabilities, captures this journey with honesty and compassion. It offers readers an intimate look at the realities of raising a child with a disability while sharing a universal message of strength, hope, and resilience, one that resonates far beyond the special needs community.
A Defining Moment of Strength
Christine’s transformation did not happen overnight. It grew over the years as she faced uncertainty, stood up for her son, and slowly found her own voice. At first, she was simply a mother trying to understand her child’s needs. Over time, this turned into a mission built on compassion, resilience, and the belief that every family should be seen, supported, and empowered. The challenges she faced became the starting point for a movement focused on inclusion and parent-centered empowerment.
Her story unfolds in her award-winning memoir, Raising Nathan Against All Odds: Discovering the Blessings, Joy, and Purpose in Raising a Child with Disabilities. “Writing this book was a healing turning point for me,” Christine says. “It allowed me to process my experiences honestly, learn from them, and find clarity at a time when everything felt uncertain.”
Christine now shares these lessons with others through her work- advocacy, speaking, books, and on social media platforms. She reminds families that you don’t need to publish a book to heal. Just writing your story in your own way can bring comfort, understanding, and new strength.
She also encourages families to see the power in their own stories. When we share our experiences, we can inspire, uplift, and guide others on their journey. It also reminds us that we are not alone.
The Universal Power of Christine’s Story
Christine’s journey is unique because she brings a practical, insightful, and deeply empathetic perspective to her work. Instead of giving abstract advice or setting impossible standards, she shares wisdom gained from real experiences, including moments of uncertainty, breakthroughs, and the often-unseen challenges of daily caregiving. Her story is rooted in faith, family, love, courage, and community, showing a resilience that reaches far beyond the disability community.
Christine stands out as a speaker and storyteller because she connects her personal journey to themes that everyone can relate to. She reaches anyone who has faced tough times and found unexpected strength. Her message is both steadying and encouraging: adversity can lead to purpose, and every story, no matter its starting point, can inspire change.
She is clear that her story is not unique to her family. While every journey is different, it reflects a broader reality for vulnerable families around the world, families navigating loss, uncertainty, and the challenge of finding a way forward. Her message resonates with anyone who has faced disappointment or felt stretched beyond their limits, yet continues searching for the strength to rise again.
As Christine writes, “Raising Nathan isn’t just my family’s story; it’s a reminder that adversity can be a catalyst for purpose.” She believes that every challenge, no matter how overwhelming it may feel, carries within it the seed of strength.
Reviewers echo her message. One independent review says, “Writing with a transparency and honesty rarely seen in this genre, Christine E Staple-Ebanks immerses readers not only into her own world, but into the wider responsibility of advocating for individuals with disabilities. Without shying away from the challenges, she also captures the pure joy of her journey with Nathan and the spiritual strength that shaped their family.”
Inspiring Through Action and Community
Christine’s impact extends beyond her written work. Through her talks, workshops, and online community, she continues to inspire people around the world. Her voice is a beacon of hope for anyone grappling with uncertainty, fear, or hardship. Whether it’s a parent struggling to find their way or a professional dealing with workplace stress, Christine’s words have a transformative effect.
She encourages individuals, especially mothers and women leaders, to embrace their inner strength and resilience. “I wrote this book to give people hope, whether they’re parenting a child with disabilities or facing a challenge of their own,” she says. Her message is clear: no one has to face their challenges alone.
Through her community and support systems, Christine helps individuals not only survive their toughest moments but thrive in them, transforming pain into purpose along the way. Her work offers a sense of belonging, a reminder that no one is ever truly alone in their journey.
A Memoir with a Purpose
Christine’s message is rooted in the belief that every story matters. She invites readers, parents, caregivers, professionals, and anyone facing hardship, to view their challenges as opportunities to learn, grow, and connect. Her message is both compassionate and empowering: you are not alone, you are stronger than you think, and your journey has the power to inspire hope in others.
Raising Nathan Against All Odds: Discovering the Blessings, Joy, and Purpose Raising a Child with Disabilities is a valuable resource for families, educators, and communities. It makes a thoughtful gift for anyone who needs encouragement, a new perspective, or support during a challenging time. The book is available in libraries throughout the United States, Jamaica, and other countries. To connect with Christine and explore her empowering work, visit her platforms:
- Instagram: @christine.stapleebanks
- YouTube: Special Needs Mama Bear
- Facebook: The Special Needs Mama Bear
- Shop: Special Needs Mama Bear Shop
Christine’s journey is proof that even in life’s hardest moments, there’s always the possibility of finding purpose, strength, and hope. Her story will continue to inspire generations to come.
