When life took an unexpected turn for Jacquie Robison, she turned it into a powerful movement of visibility, dignity, and joy. Her daughter Sofia’s cerebral palsy diagnosis sparked not only a new path for their family but also the birth of WAWOS—short for “We’re All Working on Something”—a nonprofit that’s shifting how we see disability, one colorful cape and one inclusive adventure at a time.
A Mother’s Insight: From Diagnosis to Purpose
Jacquie never expected her parenting journey to include navigating a neuromuscular disability. But after Sofia’s diagnosis at just 18 months old, she quickly learned that CP didn’t define her child—it simply described one part of her. Jacquie embraced her role as a guide and cheerleader, choosing love and advocacy over fear. “I realized my job hadn’t changed,” she reflects. “My responsibility was still to support Sofia in becoming her fullest self.”
A Cape That Changed the Conversation
When Sofia began using a walker at the age of three, Jacquie noticed the uncomfortable stares it invited. One day, Sofia softly pointed out that people were looking—but not engaging. “They could just say hi,” she said. That quiet observation sparked an idea that would blossom into a worldwide movement.
Jacquie stitched together the first walkercape—a tutu-themed accessory that reflected Sofia’s love of ballet. The next walk around the block was completely different: strangers smiled, asked questions, and saw Sofia beyond the device. That single cape became the first of many. Today, WAWOS Wear distributes cheerful, personalized walkercapes for free to children across the globe, reminding them—and the world—that assistive devices can be tools of pride, not pity.
Creating Belonging Through Action
To Jacquie, inclusion isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a call to action. Through WAWOS Community Events, the nonprofit collaborates with Major League Baseball teams, World Class Airshows and other venues to curate VIP experiences that consider every logistical and emotional detail, from ramps to restroom access. These events let families show up as they are—without the burden of planning for obstacles.
“Inclusion is about more than inviting someone—it’s about making sure they truly feel welcome,” she says.
Beyond Awareness: July and the Straight-A Standard
July is Disability Pride month, which holds deep significance for WAWOS. It commemorates the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law on July 26, 1990, and is about fostering a sense of pride and inclusion across the disability community. For Jacquie, it’s more than one month, it’s a movement. She encourages people to adopt what she calls the “straight-A approach”: Awareness, Advocacy, and Action.
“We need to do more than know what CP is,” she says. “We need to elevate the voices of those with lived experience in disability , recognize areas of inequality, and create lasting change—whether that’s in policy, representation in media, or through playground design.”
Supporting Adventures Through WAWOS Wishes
Joy, Jacquie believes, is a right—not a reward. WAWOS Wishes, a directed gift program that supports other nonprofits offering adaptive experiences, makes sure kids with physical disabilities can still dance, ski, paint, and play.
To date, WAWOS has distributed over $240,000 to more than 80 nonprofits across the U.S. “Every child benefits from adventure,” Jacquie says. “We created this program to do our part in making sure a diagnosis doesn’t put joy out of reach.”
Raising Empathetic Kids—and a More Aware World
At the heart of Jacquie’s mission is a deep belief in empathy—not as a passive feeling, but as an active practice. “As parents, one of our most important roles is to teach our kids about compassion, empathy, and inclusivity. It shouldn’t have to happen to you for it to matter to you,” she says.
She urges parents to talk openly about disability, celebrate diversity, and challenge kids to see strength in difference. “Kindness is powerful,” she adds. “Let’s raise children who navigate the world with confidence, thoughtfulness, and a genuine curiosity that leads to authentic understanding.”
Through WAWOS, Jacquie Robison isn’t just advocating for her daughter—she’s changing the landscape for countless families, one story, one walkercape, one experience, and one meaningful connection at a time.
WAWOS is a national nonprofit, headquartered in San Francisco and has a sister organization, WAWOS Canada, based in Toronto. Visit www.wawos.org and follow on Instagram @wawosorg
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