When Jacquie Robison’s life shifted course with her daughter Sofia’s cerebral palsy diagnosis, she chose not to let the moment be defined by limitation or fear. Instead, it became the beginning of a mission rooted in visibility, dignity, and joy—one that would eventually grow into WAWOS, an acronymn for We’re All Working on Something.
Sofia was just 18 months old when Jacquie learned her daughter had CP, a neuromuscular disorder that impacts movement and balance. While the diagnosis brought uncertainty, it also brought clarity. Jacquie understood hat cerebral palsy was only one part of who Sofia was—not the sum of her potential. Her role as a mother, she realized, remained unchanged: to nurture her child’s confidence, independence, and sense of self. Advocacy simply became a new language of love.
That advocacy took an unexpected and creative form when Sofia began using a walker at age three. Jacquie noticed the way people stared—curious, uncomfortable, and silent. One day, Sofia gently remarked that people kept looking but never said hello. That small observation sparked a big idea. Jacquie designed a colorful, tutu-inspired cape for Sofia’s walker, reflecting her love of ballet and self-expression. The result was immediate and powerful. Strangers smiled. Conversations started. Sofia was seen beyond her diagnosis and her device.
What began as a single walkercape soon evolved into a movement. Jacquie founded the nonprofit WAWOS and launched their flagship program, WAWOS Wear. To-date, WAWOS has provided over 6,000 free, personalized walkercapes directly to families, to physical therapy practices and to pediatric rehabilitation hospitals everywhere;, transforming assistive devices into symbols of pride rather than pity. Each cape sends a clear message: disability does not diminish individuality—it amplifies it.
But Jacquie’s vision extends far beyond awareness. Through WAWOS Community Events, families are invited to enjoy VIP experiences, and accessibility has been taken into mind.Partnering with Major League Baseball teams, world-class airshows, and other large-scale venues, WAWOS ensures that every detail—from ramps to restrooms—is considered in advance. The result is something many families rarely experience: the freedom to show up without having to plan around barriers.
For Jacquie, true inclusion means more than an invitation. It means belonging.
July, recognized as Disability Pride Month, holds special meaning for the WAWOS community. It marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law on July 26, 1990. While the month serves as an important reminder of progress, Jacquie believes the work must continue year-round. She encourages communities to embrace what she calls the “straight-A approach”: Awareness, Advocacy, and Action. Understanding disability is only the first step; elevating lived experiences, addressing inequality, and creating long-term change in policy, media representation, and public spaces is what truly moves the needle.
Joy is another pillar of Jacquie’s philosophy. Through the WAWOS Wishes program, the organization supports adaptive adventures by funding other nonprofits that help children with physical disabilities dance, ski, paint, explore, and play. To date, more than $240,000 has been distributed to over 80 organizations across the United States. For Jacquie, these experiences aren’t extras—they’re essential. A diagnosis, she believes, should never place joy out of reach.
At the heart of everything Jacquie does is a commitment to empathy—not as a passive emotion, but as an active practice. She believes parents play a vital role in shaping a more inclusive future by teaching children to embrace difference with curiosity and compassion. Conversations about disability shouldn’t be avoided or delayed until it becomes personal. Kindness, she insists, is a learned strength. The WAWOS in Schools program teaches disability inclusion and allyship by educating neurotypical students about differences, using multimedia, discussions, and hands-on activities to build understanding and break down barriers, teaching kids to celebrate ability and diversity. The aim is to create a generation that sees beyond physical differences and actively supports everyone belonging.
Through WAWOS, Jacquie Robison is not only advocating for her daughter—she is reshaping how families, communities, and institutions think about disability. One story, one walkercape, and one inclusive experience at a time, she is helping build a world where every child is seen, celebrated, and welcomed.
WAWOS is a national nonprofit headquartered in San Francisco, with a sister organization, WAWOS Canada based in Toronto.Together, these organizations are changing the conversation around disability, breaking down barriers, and redefining inclusion—not as an exception, but as the standard.
