What if there were a weekly news column just for people raising disabled and neurodivergent children? Medical Motherhood is just such a publication from me, a former newspaper reporter and mom of two such children. Never any ads, entirely reader-supported.

Every Sunday at 7 a.m. (Pacific time), you’ll get an international round up of recent news related to disabled children paired with an original essay, cartoon, or a link to my original reporting published with partner news organizations.

Who am I?

My name is Shasta Kearns Moore. I’ve lived in Oregon almost all my life, graduating from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication with top honors and several languages under my belt. I fell in love with newspapers and community journalism, working at newspapers around the Portland metro area for several years before it became apparent that my premature twins’ needs were too high for traditional full-time work.

Their disabilities led me to enter the topsy-turvy Special Needs World, which has now become the focus of my reporting. Every week, I read more stories and talk to more people experiencing the failed promises and crumbling infrastructure of our society’s services for disabled children. I want to highlight these problems and find solutions.

While I still spend most of my days navigating the high seas of caregiving, in May 2021, I started this weekly newsletter/podcast for parents like me. I call it Medical Motherhood as an alternative to the "special needs mom" label. (If you’re unsure why that term is problematic, read this.) Subscriptions to Medical Motherhood are free with optional tiers of support.

What do I get as a paid subscriber?

Thanks to people like you, Medical Motherhood is a successful newsletter and proves that a news source like this is needed.

If you become a paid subscriber, you’ll be helping to expand my coverage, grow a valuable news source and highlight the issues that affect our community.

Paid subscribers also get exclusive perks like the ability to comment on posts, behind-the-scenes quarterly reports and access to events.

This is independent journalism funded by you, for you. Join us!

What people are saying…

“Shasta writes all the thoughts in my head. Just in a way that makes sense to other people.” — Calli

“A great resource of information about raising disabled children." — Lyndsey

“Incredibly informative, eye-opening, real-world and well-written information source on a ‘medical motherhood’ journey. It’s based on her experiences and research (she’s a journalist by trade). Whether you want to feel a sense of community and solidarity, learn from her experiences or increase your own awareness, I highly encourage you to take a peek. I subscribed and am so glad I did.” — Keli

“Shasta is using her journalism background and her way with words to get our plight out there for all to digest one article at a time. I encourage anyone who is living this life as well — or those who want to be allies and have a taste as to what we are dealing with — to sign up for a subscription.” — Jenny

“Wow!! This is so needed!” — Lisa

“You have the eye for the stories that count, and this is one that few will tell.  I’m grateful to you, and this mom, for that.” — Tamara

“These are (no surprise) extremely well-written, powerful essays.” — John Schrag, executive editor, Pamplin Media Group

“I love what Shasta does. She makes people feel less alone. She listens and articulates very well and she is so compassionate. She is a great writer and journalist and we truly need people like her to tell our stories.” — Lorri

“It's real and refreshing. Sometimes makes me cry, but that's not a bad thing. It's great to be understood. You say what only another medical mama in the trenches could say. Thank you!” — Marti