Our mission
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We Are Brave Together is a nonprofit organization that provides respite, community, and mentoring for mothers caring for children of any age with disabilities, special needs, or other medical or mental health challenges.
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What is We Are Brave Together?
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Our Leadership |
OfficersJessica Patay, President
Micah Rigler, Treasurer Lara Durna, Secretary |
Board of DirectorsLora Ackermann, Vice President
Lara Durna Stephanie Fleck Jessica Patay Micah Rigler Anthony Rivelio |
Meet the Board
meet our founder
Jessica Patay is crazy-passionate about authentic Girl-Time. She has always fostered deep, life-giving friendships and has been intentional about her ever-widening community of girlfriends. Her rock of a husband of 23 years, Chris, says she is best friends with everyone. She is a huge promoter of Ya-Ya-Sisterhood-like get-togethers, full of laughter and silliness and history. Yet what she treasures most of all, is the in-depth sharing of hearts and stories and struggles and triumphs. She has been planning girls’ trips for 22 years, and since 2012 has planned inspiring “Girlfriends’ Retreats.” As a Special Needs Mom, this passion carries on as she gathers women to encourage them, mentor, them, inspire them, and validate their intense and precious journeys.
Her own story as a Special Needs Mom began in 2003 when her second son, Ryan, was born and diagnosed with a rare, genetic disorder, called Prader-Willi syndrome. Within two days of receiving this diagnosis, she received a phone call from a mentor mom from the Prader-Willi California Foundation. Immediately she felt relief and comfort knowing she was NOT ALONE. Thankfully, Ryan is sandwiched in the middle of siblings Luke and Kate, both fierce and loving cheerleaders and helpers to Ryan.
If Jessica could show up on every mother’s doorstep, with flowers, wine, chocolate, and a gorgeous banner that says, “You are not alone,” she would. And you never know, she just may do this. The We Are Brave Together organization and movement was born out of this desire and heart.
Her own story as a Special Needs Mom began in 2003 when her second son, Ryan, was born and diagnosed with a rare, genetic disorder, called Prader-Willi syndrome. Within two days of receiving this diagnosis, she received a phone call from a mentor mom from the Prader-Willi California Foundation. Immediately she felt relief and comfort knowing she was NOT ALONE. Thankfully, Ryan is sandwiched in the middle of siblings Luke and Kate, both fierce and loving cheerleaders and helpers to Ryan.
If Jessica could show up on every mother’s doorstep, with flowers, wine, chocolate, and a gorgeous banner that says, “You are not alone,” she would. And you never know, she just may do this. The We Are Brave Together organization and movement was born out of this desire and heart.
Featured Podcasts
Jessica has been featured on these great podcasts!
The Rare Life with Madeline Cheney
Episode 31: The story of Ryan
Aired 1/14/21
just Two Dads YouTube Channel
Episode 21: We Are Brave Together
Aired 1/13/21
Brave Talks by Emily Nolan
Episode: Fighting “Mom Guilt” with Jess Patay
Aired 10/9/20
Families That Stick Togather
Episode 18: THIS is what moms of children with special needs wish you KNEW
Aired 9/28/20
Bridging The Distance: A podcast for pandemic related emotional support By Project Refind
Episode: Special Advice: Listening and learning from families with special needs children through quarantine
Aired 5/16/2020
The Kindness Podcast
Episode: "We Are Brave Together" w/ Jessica Patay
Aired 4/29/2020
Who Lives Like This by Jason Lehmbeck and Elizabeth Aquino
Episode: Being Brave Together with Jessica Patay
Walking With Freya by Anne Fricke
Episode: Jessica, PWS and We Are Brave Together
Mamas in Spirit by Lindy Wynne
Episode: Lonely? Find Your Community
Mama Bear Podcast by Mary Susan McConnell
Episode: Compassion Fatigue, Cyclical Grief, and Prader-Willi syndrome w/ Jessica Patay
The Rare Life with Madeline Cheney
Episode 31: The story of Ryan
Aired 1/14/21
just Two Dads YouTube Channel
Episode 21: We Are Brave Together
Aired 1/13/21
Brave Talks by Emily Nolan
Episode: Fighting “Mom Guilt” with Jess Patay
Aired 10/9/20
Families That Stick Togather
Episode 18: THIS is what moms of children with special needs wish you KNEW
Aired 9/28/20
Bridging The Distance: A podcast for pandemic related emotional support By Project Refind
Episode: Special Advice: Listening and learning from families with special needs children through quarantine
Aired 5/16/2020
The Kindness Podcast
Episode: "We Are Brave Together" w/ Jessica Patay
Aired 4/29/2020
Who Lives Like This by Jason Lehmbeck and Elizabeth Aquino
Episode: Being Brave Together with Jessica Patay
Walking With Freya by Anne Fricke
Episode: Jessica, PWS and We Are Brave Together
Mamas in Spirit by Lindy Wynne
Episode: Lonely? Find Your Community
Mama Bear Podcast by Mary Susan McConnell
Episode: Compassion Fatigue, Cyclical Grief, and Prader-Willi syndrome w/ Jessica Patay
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @wearebravetogether