Being a first time parent is not an easy road to travel.
But what is it like for two people, both with disabilities?
A local couple talks about how parenting is for them while living well with a disability.
"I've been married to pam 14 years," said Mike Auer. "We've known each other for 16 years."
A couple of years after saying 'I do', Pam and Mike Auer's family of two, became a family of three.
"Being pregnant was something I wanted for so long!" said Pam Auer. Mike added, "Oh my gosh, what are we gonna do, how's this gonna work, how's this gonna happen."
After the initial reaction every first time father goes through wore off, fear slowly set in.
The unknown that comes along with raising a child when both parents have a disability.
"It was a concern of mine that other people would think 'this guy has a physical disability, he uses a wheelchair, how is he going to care for a child," said Mike.
"With disabilities its all about adjusting how you do things, being proactive and talking to yourself and saying, 'okay, how can i do this?'. What would need to be in place in order for me to do this?"
From the list came adjustments, one of which, a wheelchair accessible crib.
"Rather than a gate going up and down, we had doors on it that opened out," said Mike.
Fast forward 10 years to the Auer family of today.
"We're just a regular family living our life and we have fun together," said Kristin Auer, Pam and Mike's daughter.
Kristin is a bright, about-to-be 5th grader, but the wealth of lessons she has learned didn't come from a text book.
"It's interesting to educate my friends and tell them its not a bad thing to have a disability. It's just a different lifestyle, its just not a bad thing," said Kristin as she smiles at her parents.
"With disabilities and being a parent is you always find a way to make something happen," said Mike. "And what drives you to make that happen is the love for your child."
