Amy Tarpein's world changed forever when doctors told her that her eight-month-old son Elijah, diagnosed with an extremely rare brain malformation called Lissencephaly, wouldn't live to see his second birthday. Instead of shrinking from this devastating news, this remarkable single mother of ten made a life-altering decision: if her son's time was limited, she would fill it with as many experiences as possible.
What began as a mother's determination to create beautiful memories transformed into "Elijah's Baby Bucket List," now a thriving platform reaching 2.6 million people monthly. Seven years later—far beyond the doctors' predictions—Elijah continues to explore the world, breaking barriers and changing perceptions about what's possible for children with disabilities.
During our conversation at the Abilities Expo in Chicago, Amy reveals how her journey connected her with other families navigating accessible travel, particularly Corey Lee and his mother Sandy. This serendipitous friendship blossomed into collaboration, with Amy and Sandy now co-hosting retreats specifically for mothers of children with disabilities. "When these ladies came together," Amy shares, "it was like they had known each other their whole lives." Her philosophy, captured in her book "Braver Together," emphasizes the strength found in community and the transformative power of shared experiences.
Perhaps most striking is Amy's perspective on limitation and possibility. "Never judge somebody based on what you can see," she advises, "because you absolutely have no idea what lays underneath. You might be judging somebody who is absolutely limitless." Fueled by what she laughingly calls "copious amounts of coffee," along with patience, faith, and community, Amy demonstrates how challenging circumstances can become catalysts for movements that touch countless lives. Follow their remarkable journey at elijahsbabybucketlist.com and across social platforms—and remember that sometimes the most powerful response to limitation is choosing joy.