Mom cries at what special needs toddler brings home from daycare—‘Not okay’

Being a mom of a child with special needs can feel isolating—like you’re living in a bubble separate from the typical parenting experience. That’s exactly what Patricia Barbosa, a mom from London, shared when she posted a deeply emotional moment on TikTok, where she uses her platform (@impatriciia3) to shed light on the unique challenges of parenting a child with disabilities.

In a viral video, Patricia is seen in tears after discovering that her medically complex, tube-fed toddler brought home something that meant the world: an invitation to a birthday party. For many parents, this might seem like a small, everyday milestone. For Patricia and her daughter, it was monumental.

A lonely journey with small yet profound joys

Patricia’s journey as a mom has been anything but typical. Her daughter was born two and a half years ago, and while her birth was uneventful, her first year was filled with hospital visits, surgeries, and diagnoses of airway disorder and dysphagia.

“Her first year was very hard,” Patricia told Newsweek. “She was very poorly and admitted to the hospital for a lot of it.”

Now thriving in many ways, Patricia’s daughter attends a special needs nursery—a step that came with its own set of anxieties. “She never really had the chance to interact with others,” Patricia shared, explaining how hard it’s been to watch her daughter miss out on the social connections most kids naturally make.

Related: This grandpa has all of TikTok crying over a father/daughter dance—and we are not okay

A birthday party invitation changes everything

When Patricia’s daughter returned from nursery with an invitation to a birthday party, it struck an emotional chord. In her TikTok video, Patricia tearfully explains why this moment was so meaningful: “I didn’t think the day would come where a little friend would be made and she’d be included in something so simple but so big for her.”

The comment section on the video quickly turned into a space of shared joy and solidarity, with other parents chiming in about their own similar experiences.

One commenter, @Loz, said: “Oh my 🥺 you’re doing such a good job! x” Another, @Tara, shared: “😭😭 my youngest has a peg, this made me choke up because my older 3 dote on her so much and always want to help 😭x”

Seeing beyond the diagnosis

Patricia’s TikTok post, captioned “I am not okay,” highlights the powerful impact of inclusion, especially for kids with disabilities. She hopes her story inspires other parents in similar situations.

“Life takes you on a journey,” Patricia reflected. “Sometimes parenthood is not what you imagined or envisioned, and that’s okay. It’s okay to mourn the life you thought you’d get, and it’s okay to take time to settle into a different-looking life.”

For Patricia, this invitation wasn’t just about a party. It was about seeing her daughter included, valued, and celebrated for who she is—something every child deserves.

Related: Twin mom’s viral TikTok highlights why kids’ birthday parties have become so stressful