Parenting Through Chronic Illness: My Journey with Cisco by My Side

[ad_1] Discovering Energy within the Surprising They are saying you possibly can’t pour from an empty cup, however what in case your “cup” is stuffed by chasing soccer balls, artwork provides, and hope, all whereas working for an organization that has your again? My journey as a mother to a youngster with persistent kidney illness is something however typical, and the help I’ve discovered at Cisco is simply as extraordinary.

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-481201 alignright" src="https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/03-KC-Give-Back-2.jpeg" alt="Picture of woman's lap top and Cisco water bottle laying on her lap." width="453" height="453" srcset="https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/03-KC-Give-Back-2-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/03-KC-Give-Back-2-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/03-KC-Give-Back-2-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/03-KC-Give-Back-2-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/03-KC-Give-Back-2.jpeg 1440w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 453px) 100vw, 453px"/>When Life Adjustments In a single day I In 2019, all the pieces modified for my household. What we thought was only a cussed case of the flu rapidly led to an ER go to for pneumonia and the surprising analysis of Stage 3 Power Kidney Illness for my daughter. Instantly we had been navigating surgical procedures, infinite appointments, and the stark actuality that her kidneys would by no means absolutely get better.

As we speak, her kidneys operate at lower than 15%, and regardless of corrective surgical procedure slowing the harm, she is now actively looking for a kidney donor for transplant. This vital step affords her the possibility to remain on the sector as a aggressive goalkeeper, skate, proceed college, and maintain chasing her desires of changing into a lawyer with out the shadow of kidney failure or dialysis slowing her down.

Meet Avery: Extra Than a Prognosis Avery is the heartbeat of our household — a child who faces each problem with grit and a smile. Once I say she’s “cooler than I may ever hope to be,” I imply it. She’s decided to not let her sickness outline her, regardless of the fixed physician’s appointments, missed college days, and various detours from the same old teenage life. Her resilience evokes me each single day.

A Crew That Actually Reveals Up Once I realized Avery was accredited for her Make-a-Want journey to Hawaii, I reached out to my Cisco group to share the information and request time without work with barely any discover. Not solely did they rally to cowl my work, however in addition they made it clear: “Be with Avery. We’ve obtained you.” For ten days, I used to be capable of be absolutely current with no emails, no conferences, simply making reminiscences with my daughter.

That form of help isn’t a one-off at Cisco, however once you expertise it firsthand, it’s unforgettable. It additionally strengthened simply what number of assets I’ve leaned on all through my time right here:

Versatile work means I’m capable of deal with physician’s appointments or college calls when Avery isn’t feeling effectively, with out sacrificing my profession or my worth to the group. The RethinkCare program has given me knowledgeable steering on parenting by way of medical challenges. I’ve discovered neighborhood and instruments for self-care by way of Cisco’s well-being assets, together with digital remedy, mindfulness and resilience programs, and well being teaching. Colleagues have gone above and past, even donating to the Nationwide Kidney Basis in Avery’s honor.

Constructing Neighborhood, Even With out an Workplace Residing in Kansas Metropolis, the place there isn’t a bodily Cisco workplace, hasn’t stopped me from discovering connection. In truth, I’ve discovered an area tribe of KC Cisconians.

Throughout Cisco’s International Week of Giving, a number of of us gathered for a day supporting Youngsters’s Mercy (Avery’s care group), assembling “Glad Kits” for sufferers like Avery. Realizing my colleagues care a few trigger so valuable to me means all the pieces. That feeling of neighborhood and objective is actual.

The Energy of Flexibility and Empathy Being a mum or dad to a toddler with a persistent sickness is a lesson in resilience, vulnerability, and gratitude. The flexibleness and understanding I’ve acquired at Cisco have allowed me to be the mother Avery wants whereas nonetheless rising my profession. I by no means really feel like I’m selecting between my household and my work; the 2 are in concord due to Cisco’s tradition and advantages.

I’ve gained confidence, realizing that my firm genuinely cares about my well-being, not simply my productiveness. On the times when the college calls or Avery’s well being dips, I don’t panic. I do know I may be there for her, and that sense of safety is priceless.

Why I really like the place I work <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-481200 alignright" src="https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/San-Diego-1-scaled.jpeg" alt="Mom and daughter smiling next to eachother." width="450" height="337" srcset="https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/San-Diego-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/San-Diego-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/San-Diego-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/San-Diego-1-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/San-Diego-1-2048x1535.jpeg 2048w, https://blogs.cisco.com/gcs/ciscoblogs/1/2025/11/San-Diego-1-scaled.jpeg 2560w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px"/> As a strategic advertising and marketing supervisor in Cisco’s Digital Influence Workplace, I get to inform tales about how know-how modifications lives. However the story closest to my coronary heart is my very own. My day by day work is richer as a result of I perceive firsthand what it means to want help, flexibility, and empathy.

Cisco isn’t only a tech firm; it’s a household. It’s a help system that values folks, not simply productiveness. Right here, I get to be a marketer, a mother, and a caregiver, and I by no means have to decide on between them.

Working for Cisco means I've the liberty to deal with my daughter and myself with out worry or guilt. Each time I open my laptop computer, I do know my leaders and teammates really care — not simply concerning the work, however concerning the folks behind it.

If you happen to’re questioning what makes Cisco completely different, it’s this: You’re empowered to convey your entire self to work and to convey your greatest self house. For anybody going through the unknown or supporting a beloved one by way of persistent sickness, know that you just don’t should do it alone. At Cisco, you’re surrounded by colleagues who care, leaders who hear, and assets that make an actual distinction.

If you happen to’re in search of an organization that helps you thru life’s hardest moments — and celebrates the perfect ones — you’ll discover it at Cisco. Discover careers now.