Katie Duke : Local Mother

Katie Duke and her husband, Dakotah Duke, became parents for the first time in 2021 with the birth of their daughter, Caroline Jane. Though becoming a parent amid the pandemic was already challenging enough, Katie began to notice that Caroline was not using her right arm and hand the way she used her left. She went to her pediatrician with her concerns, but they were waved aside. “The greatest challenge I’ve had as a mom was ‘trusting my gut’ when I felt things weren’t right with my daughter’s health and development. However, I was grateful enough to have a friend specializing in pediatric occupational therapy who encouraged me to trust my gut and demand the proper referrals to confirm my suspicions,” Katie says. “Because of this experience, I have overcome that challenge by building confidence in my ability to advocate for my family and their needs.” 

Due to Katie’s determination, it was eventually found that Caroline Jane survived a perinatal stroke in utero. She was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. “It has not been easy to become a parent to a developmentally delayed child, but we were able to find a lot of support and love from both our family and therapeutic resources like Temple Memorial Pediatric Center,” Katie says. “Caroline has also proven to have the greatest balance of determination and sassiness to overcome any obstacle set in front of her. She has not let her diagnosis define her, and she has excelled with the help she has received.” 

While seeking support for Caroline’s diagnosis, Katie also gave birth to her second daughter, Anna Kate, in 2022. “Anna Kate brings the fun and laughs wherever she goes. She loves to do silly things to make anyone laugh, moves to the beat of her own drum, and has the biggest personality. She definitely brought a light to our lives that we so desperately needed,” Katie says. “Motherhood has shown me a love that is so innocent, pure, and unconditional, and I have never been more proud of anything in my life as I am to be Caroline and Anna’s mama.” 

Katie says that being a mom has given her a renewed sense of purpose and determination. “Motherhood has made me into my favorite version of myself. Seeing the small and big milestones my daughters meet brings me so much joy,” Katie says. “The unconditional intensity of the love they give is indescribable.”

Though there are already many unforgettable memories of their family, Katie says that several moments are truly unforgettable. “For Caroline, it was the moment she realized she had a right arm and hand. She had only used her left due to her condition, but I will never forget when she realized that her right arm and hand were functional and she could use them to play with her toys. That milestone is burned in my mind and always brings me to tears when I speak about it,” Katie says. “Even in Anna Kate’s 18 months of life, I will always remember her everyday moments of enjoying the simplest things and being the sunshine wherever she goes.” 

When Katie was growing up, her mother modeled and encouraged open dialogue, a practice that Katie incorporated into her parenting style. Though I prefer to have clear rules, I always want to enforce them with warmth and support to my children,” Katie says. I want them to know I will always value their input.” 

Katie’s mother and mother-in-law are both a very active part of her life, and her daughters’ lives, and Katie says that motherhood is so much easier with support from her family and friends. “I am so fortunate with my ‘village.’ My mother is my go-to for all my questions, rants, or breakdowns, and my mother-in-law is also a voice of reason and giver of grace that I need and appreciate,” Katie says, “I am also lucky to have my grandmother in my life. She brings me back to reality when I get overwhelmed with things that don’t really matter. And I am so blessed with a handful of friends who give me encouragement and love amid the chaos of motherhood.”

Katie knows she will always lean on her faith in God to guide her family no matter what the future holds. “I am far from a perfect mom. Thankfully, I rely on the One who is perfect, and He covers me with grace daily,” Katie says. “I am a mom who has a heart for Jesus and loves my babies with my entire heart. I get up every day and try my best to grow the kingdom through my children by instilling in them the value of being disciples and loving the Lord.”

Fun Facts 

1. My dream Mother’s Day would include waking up to a clean home with laundry done (that I didn’t have to do) and spending the day in the sunshine (on an outing I didn’t have to plan) with my little family! 

2. The best advice I’ve ever received as a mom is “Trust your gut – it will not steer you wrong.” 

3. One thing I want to do with my kids is take them to visit the Florida Keys. 

4. The one thing that I wish I had known about parenting is to give myself grace and embrace life’s messy moments of raising babies.

5. The best gift my kids could ever give me would be anything homemade (gift/card) and handpicked flowers in a vase!