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Christine E. Staple Ebanks is the mother of four children, including Nathan, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at nine months old. Her lived experience raising her son—and becoming a problem-solver when his complex, holistic needs challenged existing systems—became the foundation for her work as an award-winning, best-selling author, parent-professional advocate, global change maker, speaker, and contributing writer for Mélange Magazine. She has also contributed to other publications, including Human Services Today, published by the National Organization for Human Services.
Known to many as the Special Needs Mama Bear, Christine speaks and writes from lived experience—protective, purposeful, and deeply committed to the well-being of children with disabilities and the families who support them.
Christine’s journey as a mother led her to establish the Nathan Ebanks Foundation in Jamaica, Raising Special Needs Inc. in the United States, and the Special Needs Mothers Movement—organizations dedicated to empowering parents and communities to practice inclusion in ways that truly meet children where they are. Collectively, these social impact platforms have engaged more than 5,000 families across three countries through professional, mission-driven services—including training, education, and advisory support—grounded in human services principles and designed to equip both families and institutions to respond more effectively to the needs of children with disabilities.
Christine holds a Master of Science in Human Services, with a focus on creating inclusive systems that allow children with disabilities and their families to thrive. In practice, her work extends beyond direct family support through training, consulting, speaking, and writing—shaping how systems, institutions, and service providers understand the lived experiences of children with disabilities and their families, and guiding them toward more inclusive, responsive, and effective practices.
With more than two decades of lived and professional experience, Christine has learned to skillfully navigate two vastly different systems: Jamaica, where services and supports are limited, and the United States, where systems are complex, fragmented, and often fail to communicate with one another. From this experience, she doesn’t just share stories—she identifies gaps, tracks patterns, and creates practical solutions for her own family and for others walking similar paths.
A renowned speaker, her talks sit at the intersection of motherhood, caregiving, faith, advocacy, leadership, and social impact, offering audiences practical insight grounded in real life and lived experience. Her work centers on women, children, and families while also equipping professionals, systems, and faith-based institutions with a deeper understanding of what meaningful inclusion looks like in practice.
For more than 15 years, Christine has delivered talks, parent training sessions, facilitated workshops, and given keynote presentations across multiple countries, including Jamaica, the United States, Canada, Germany, and Dominica. Her work and voice have been featured on ABC 15 (Phoenix, Arizona), the Franklin Advocate, and in top-tier article features with Women’s Insider, USA News, and PrimeTimePress.
Christine remains actively engaged in her local community and serves on her district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG), continuing her commitment to strengthening collaboration between families and the systems that support them.
Testimonials & Endorsements
Raising Nathan Against All Odds
“An intense and intriguing journey that takes the reader into the real life of a family raising a child with cerebral palsy—its ups, downs, and in-betweens. Christine’s story offers powerful life lessons on navigating health systems, balancing life, and the importance of family support. A must-read for families, caregivers, medical professionals, social workers, educators, policy makers, and faith leaders.”
“Christine has exposed herself to remarkable levels of vulnerability so she could touch the heart of a nation. This book helps you see beyond what exists to what must be put in place—and in it, you will see your role.”
— Dr. Christine Hendricks, Executive Director, Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities
“Christine shares her agonizing, yet victorious journey as a mother whose son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, capturing her growth as she becomes knowledgeable, confident, and a powerful advocate. Her story continues to inspire collaborative action, professional training, and international impact.”
— Rosy Gage, Jamaica
“So powerful is Christine’s personal story that it led to collaborative work supporting families at the grassroots level, influencing government and NGO engagement, professional training, and advocacy. Her story continues to launch other stories—each making the world better for children with disabilities.”
— Dr. Carol S. Kelly (Deceased), Director, International Federation of Educative Communities (FICE)
Jamaica International Inclusive Education Conference Attendee
Reader Reflections
“Your unconditional love and dedication to Nathan’s development are a real inspiration.”
— Julia, USA
“Smile from the soul.”
— Vincent C. Smith, USA
“Love overcomes all—your life with Nathan proves this.”
— Thelma Porter, Jamaica
“This is what love looks like.”
— Yvonne Wade, USA
“Your books are powerful and deeply helpful.”
— Geoff, USA
I’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, your fears, and your hopes. Connect with me on Facebook at The Special Needs Mama Bear, watch my short video on financial planning on YouTube (The Special Needs Mama Bear), or send me a note at
