National nonprofit co-founded by North Texas natives offers hope
By Frisco Enterprise – see the original article here
Labeled and Loved—a national nonprofit co-founded by Plano native Julie Hornok and Flower Mound resident Dr. Regina Crone—was born from personal journeys of hardship, transformation, and purpose as special needs caregivers. Created to combat the deep isolation many mothers of children with disabilities face, the organization offers mental health events, online support, and community-driven resources.
From Oct. 10–12, they will host their National Weekend of Hope Retreat at The Star in Frisco—a three-day, restorative experience designed to uplift and connect special needs moms. Through connection, compassion, and shared understanding, Labeled and Loved reminds every mother on this path: you are not alone.
What inspired you to start Labeled and Loved, and how did your personal experiences shape the organization’s mission?
Labeled and Loved was born out of our personal journeys marked by hardship, transformation, and ultimately, purpose.
Crone: Growing up a special needs sibling, I watched our family change overnight after my brother’s diagnosis. Life quickly filled with therapy sessions while he learned to talk through sign language. As a little girl, I often thought, “This isn’t fair.” But now, with gratitude and perspective, I see it clearly: good things can grow in hard places.
Hornok: As a special needs mom, my life changed overnight. I went from casual park playdates to coordinating 30–40 hours of therapy each week after my daughter’s life-changing diagnosis. The intensity of caregiving took a real toll on our family. But over time, as I began to release the expectations I had about what motherhood should look like, I started to find joy in this new, unexpected, and deeply meaningful version of motherhood.
We both witnessed the deep isolation many special needs families face, and felt called to create supportive, community-centered mental health events in response.
Why is it so important to have a retreat specifically for moms of children with special needs? What gap does it fill?
The 20 million moms of children with special needs in our country often carry an invisible emotional and mental load that few fully understand. Their days are filled with therapy appointments, advocacy, medical decisions, and caregiving that rarely pauses. This retreat creates sacred space where these moms can step away from survival mode and be seen, heard, and held by others who truly get it. It fills a critical gap by offering deep connection, rest, and emotional renewal—something many of these women have gone far too long without. When the mom is supported, the whole family thrives.
What are some of the most powerful moments or testimonials you’ve witnessed as a result of Labeled and Loved?
One mom, whose child struggles with severe attachment issues, was desperate to attend our Moms Mingle community-outreach, one-night event. Her husband drove her there and stayed in the car with their child the entire evening. She would step out to check in, then return inside—determined not to miss the chance to be in community with other moms who understood.
Another mom had just moved to the area and didn’t know a single person. She bravely came to an event, connected with one other mom, and exchanged numbers. That night, her husband suffered a heart attack. With no family or support nearby, she reached out to that one contact—and within hours, she had meals delivered, childcare arranged, and emotional support surrounding her.
These moments show that Labeled and Loved isn’t about hosting events for the sake of socializing—it’s about creating lifelines. Real, lasting connection. For many, it becomes the difference between barely surviving and finally thriving.
What can attendees expect at this year’s retreat in Frisco? How is it designed to restore and renew these moms?
Created by special needs moms for special needs moms, the Labeled and Loved Weekend of Hope Retreat is a transformational 3-day experience designed to restore, uplift, and connect mothers of children with disabilities. As primary caregivers, we carry a tremendous emotional and physical load—and this weekend is an intentional pause to rest, recharge, and be truly understood.
Moms will find themselves embraced by an inclusive sisterhood while participating in immersive, inspirational sessions and unique breakout experiences like yoga, grief and faith talks, scavenger hunts, and even a dance party. Every moment is curated to help them to nourish their bodies, minds, and spirits.
They’ll return home not only renewed, but equipped with tools to better care for their children—and themselves. And most importantly, they’ll leave with lifelong connections to women who truly get it and become their lifelines in this unexpected journey of motherhood.
How does caregiver burnout affect families long-term, and what can communities do to help prevent it?
Nineteen research studies have identified parents of children with disabilities to have an increased risk for depression (95%) and anxiety (90%). The divorce rate is over 85% for parents of children with a disability.
Caregiver burnout doesn’t just impact the mom—it ripples across the entire family. It can lead to chronic health issues, mental health struggles, and strained marriages. Communities can help by offering respite care, emotional support, and inclusive environments. But most importantly, they can see these moms, ask how they’re doing, and show up for them consistently.
We have Encouragement Encounter cards (available on our website) to hand to special needs moms when you see them out in the community. This will make her feel seen and lead her to support through Labeled and Loved.
You serve thousands of families across 144 diagnoses—how do you make sure each mom feels seen and supported, no matter her situation?
At Labeled and Loved, we intentionally avoid comparative grief. Whether a mom’s child is nonverbal or highly verbal, newly diagnosed or further along in the journey, the core emotional experiences—fear, isolation, guilt, love—are shared. Our programs are built around those universal feelings, not the specifics of a diagnosis. That’s how we create space where every mom feels she belongs, just as she is.
Can you speak to the emotional and mental health challenges faced by special needs moms that often go unseen or unspoken?
Many special needs moms silently struggle with anxiety, depression, decision fatigue, and grief that cycles rather than resolves. There’s often guilt around feeling overwhelmed or even resentment—emotions they’re afraid to admit. They’re constantly advocating while suppressing their own needs. Without outlets for this emotional load, many suffer in silence. That’s why spaces like ours are so essential: they bring what’s hidden into the light. There’s a profound relief in sharing a room where understanding flows silently, without a single word spoken.
What do you hope people will take away from learning about Labeled and Loved—whether or not they have a connection to disability?
We hope they walk away with a deeper understanding of the unseen burdens carried by special needs families—and the power of empathy in action. Even if you don’t have a direct connection to disability, you can help lighten someone else’s load through compassion, inclusion, and support. We want people to know: every act of care matters. No one should feel invisible.
You’re looking for more moms to attend and more partners to support—how can people get involved before the registration deadline?
If you’re a special needs mom, we invite you to learn more and register for the Weekend of Hope Retreat at labeledandloved.org
For those who want to support this mission, donations are vital—they help us keep costs low and provide scholarships to moms who otherwise couldn’t attend. Donate at www.labeledandloved.org
We also welcome corporate sponsors interested in partnering with us to expand our impact. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities at www.labeledandloved.org
Every bit of support helps us create a transformative experience for these incredible moms.
What impact does media coverage or community support have on reaching the moms who need this retreat the most?
We recently met an 85-year-old woman still caring for her 65 year old son who had never experienced support specifically for the special needs mom. Many of the moms we now serve didn’t even know something like this existed for them. They’re isolated, overwhelmed, and not actively seeking help. But when they hear a story, see a post, or watch a segment about Labeled and Loved, it plants a seed of hope. Community visibility allows us to break through that isolation and let them know: you’re not alone, and there is a place for you here.