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By Theodore Leanord, Parent-Advocate
When people ask me what my greatest accomplishment is, my answer is simple: nothing compares to being a dad to my sons, Ty’jhon, Odin and Ezekiel.
My journey began long before I became a father. Growing up with an intellectual disability, I faced times when people underestimated me or assumed I could not reach certain goals. My parents taught me to keep learning, keep growing, and never give up on myself, and that same determination has shaped the way I parent.
As my family has grown, so has my passion for advocacy, education, work, and service. I serve as a Board Trustee for Inland Regional Center, Chair of the Client Council at Desert Arc, and a member of the California Disability Services Association Advocacy Committee. As a community advocate, I have worked for the school district, attended college, earned my driver’s license, purchased a vehicle, and built a home for my family. These accomplishments have served as a testimony to my children that having an intellectual disability does not define a person’s potential or limit what they can achieve. I want to teach them to believe in themselves, use their voices, help others, and keep moving forward when life brings obstacles.
The same way my father instilled these values in me, I want to pass them on to my children. Growing up, I faced many challenges and stigmas associated with having an intellectual disability, but those values of kindness, respect, compassion, and dignity helped me persevere and thrive. As their father, I want my children to understand that a person’s abilities do not determine their worth or potential. These values are what truly shape who we are and how we impact others. No matter what challenges they may face, I hope they remember that treating others with respect, showing compassion, and leading with kindness are the qualities that help people succeed and leave a positive mark on the world.
While teaching our children values happens over a lifetime, as a father, some of my favorite moments are the simplest ones. My boys check in on me, give me hugs, tell me they love me, and remind me that I am the best dad ever. Those moments mean more to me than they will ever know, and they remind me that being a father is not about being perfect. It is about showing up during big and small moments.
Showing up means being there when your child has a bad day, when they need comfort, when they succeed, and when they need encouragement. Sometimes it is as simple as sharing ice cream, recycling cans and bottles together, sitting down to talk about life, reminding my children that I will be present every day, that I believe in them, support them, and love them unconditionally.
Today, I am proud to be a father, a husband, an advocate, and community leader. Fatherhood has taught me that an intellectual disability does not define me or disable my ability to continue learning, growing, and serving others. My hope is that my story inspires my children to believe in themselves, follow their dreams, and know that no obstacle should define their future.
This Father’s Day, If I could leave one message for fathers everywhere, it would be this: show up. Take time with your children. Embrace them. Be present. Let them know they are loved and supported. The moments you spend together may seem small today, but they leave a lasting impact that can shape a lifetime. As fathers, regardless of our abilities, we have the power to inspire, teach, and make a difference in our children’s lives. That is a legacy worth showing up for.
I hope you had a very Happy Father’s Day!