by Tara Shafer posted in Parenting

As mothers, when we launch our children into the world we may sometimes feel quite vulnerable. It can be hard to discover the ways to best engage a struggle. Finding the power within is a challenge, but a necessary one.
Recently, Judy O?Connor received a surprise honorary Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree alongside her son Marty who also received his MBA proper. In recognizing Ms. O?Connor, California-based Chapman University was acknowledging the advocacy she had undertaken on behalf of her son following a devastating workplace accident that left him quadriplegic.
To see him through, Ms. O?Connor moved to California to shadow Marty in school. She attended every class, took notes, and managed assistive technology as Marty studied for his advanced degree. As parents of young children we may sometimes forget that the road of parenting is long. Babies and toddlers cause a certain myopia. Our attention is drawn almost exclusively to them -- keeping them safe, tracking milestones, and all the rest. As they get older their needs change and we must change with them.
 

The surprise announcement honoring Ms. O?Connor was fully supported by the faculty, the trustees, and the administration of the school, who agreed it was appropriate. The degree was bestowed at the suggestion Marty himself. Ms. O?Connor received a standing ovation from all those present.
You can watch the surprise announcement and the ovation that followed here....