At just 19, Dawn Wolfe’s life took an unexpected turn—she became pregnant with twins. Then a college student, she realized she needed to shift focus and build a life that could support her children. She made the difficult decision to leave school and take a job at a local factory.
At 25 weeks pregnant, Dawn sensed something was wrong. Her doctor wasn’t alarmed, but Dawn trusted her instincts.
“I was healthy, happy, and had never done drugs or drank alcohol. I exercised regularly and was very in tune with my body,” she said. “I decided to go to the emergency room to get checked out—just to be safe.”
It was a good thing she did. Dawn was told she was going to give birth that day—15 weeks early. Her twin boys, Brock and Brandon Ewing, were immediately life-flighted to Columbus.
“Both boys weighed less than two pounds,” Dawn recalled. “They spent five months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It was an extremely stressful time.”
After months of fear and uncertainty, Dawn brought her sons home. But the challenges didn’t end there. The boys faced many health complications and countless doctor’s visits. At one point, doctors even advised Dawn to consider removing the ventilators that were keeping them alive, warning that they could be severely mentally and physically disabled if they survived.
“That was never an option for me,” said Dawn. “I believed their fate was in God’s hands. I prayed for their survival and was ready to raise them, no matter what their future held.”
She added, “I was scared, but I already loved them so much. I was committed to their care.”
Dawn credits her strength to her faith and the support of her community. “My tribe prayed, and that meant everything,” she said. “I’m still so grateful for every nurse, doctor, and person who stood by us.”
Over time, the boys grew stronger. Today, Brandon is healthy with minimal complications. Brock, however, is legally blind. Despite undergoing more than ten eye surgeries, he never regained his sight.
But Dawn wasn’t deterred. “So what did I do?” she smiled. “I taught Brock to adapt.”
She raised both of her boys to explore life fully and without limits. “I always encouraged them to follow their interests. I didn’t want their disabilities to define them,” she said. “They’ve learned to swim, roller skate, bike, hike—you name it. Even though they couldn’t play organized sports, they’ve lived full, fun lives. They’ve been brave and strong.”
Brock learned braille in preschool and mastered using a cane. He reads and writes braille, and as expected, his hearing and sense of smell are exceptionally sharp. Despite his blindness, he leads a rich, active life. He’s attended summer camps, made friends, and held several jobs—at COSI, an insurance company, and the unemployment office. Though these roles were temporary, he’s determined to find something permanent.
Brock navigates the world with confidence. He uses a desktop computer, an iPhone, an Apple Watch, an Alexa speaker, and a braille note device. He even has a unique system for handling money—folding his bills in specific ways to distinguish them and identifying coins by their size.
Dawn emphasizes that she hasn’t done it alone. She credits their dad, family, friends, and many doctors and nurses for support through the years. As well as a dedicated aide who supported Brock through school and became like a second mother to him. She’s also deeply thankful to the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities, which has provided the tools and support Brock needed to thrive independently.
This month, Brock and Brandon turn 25.
“Brock is a miracle baby who was never supposed to survive,” Dawn reflected. “I hope he finds a job he loves, meets new people, gets married, and gives me at least one grandbaby,” she laughed. “I hope he always stays healthy and happy. And who knows—maybe technology will one day restore his sight.”
As Mother’s Day approaches, Dawn has a message for other moms raising children with developmental disabilities:
“Your children grow up quickly. Be patient. Be present. Balance discipline, love, and encouragement. They trust your guidance. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Work with the school district and your local Board of DD. Take lots of pictures and enjoy every minute. It’s hard, and it takes a toll on your mental health—so take care of yourself too.
Try and fail, or try and succeed—at least you tried.”
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