When Sheree Pursley's son Izaac was diagnosed with dwarfism at birth, it rocked the young family's daily routine and plans for the future.

In many ways, Izaac is an ordinary 6-year-old boy who goes to school, plays kickball and is occasionally sent to time-out. But he also must be hooked up to a tangle of wires and alarms to breathe while he sleeps, he ends up in the hospital for several weeks each year, and he has a motorized wheelchair to help him keep pace with others.

"He knows he's different, but he doesn't want to be perceived as different," says Sheree.

So she does everything possible to advocate on his behalf, and also to mentor other families in similar situations.

Through Missouri Family to Family, Sheree connects with other families coping with a disability or other special need, whether it be autism, Down syndrome, dwarfism or something entirely different. The diagnoses may be different, Sheree explains, but all families and individuals coping with special needs have similar concerns. Like how to live a full and happy life, to advocate for their loved ones at school or work, to balance the needs of other children in the family, to simply cope with the stress and exhaustion that come with caring for another person 24/7.

Among Sheree's best words of wisdom for other families? Don't sweat the small stuff, and always have a sense of humor.

"Everyone's situation is completely different, but we're still the same because of what makes us different day to day," she says.

To learn more about Missouri Family to Family, visit www.moddrc.org.

Sheree also supports the Little People of America (www.lpaonline.org), Make-A-Wish Foundation (www.wish.org) and Give Kids the World (www.gktw.org).