Stephanie Waterhouse

Share your military spouse story:
When I met my husband, he was an Army Reservist. At the time, we were both Dallas Police Officers, a job I had dreamed of and thoroughly enjoyed. I supported my then-boyfriend's unit in the best way that I could, but Active Duty Army life and Reserve Army life simply aren't the same. It feels very disconnected because everyone has other jobs. They were deployed from 2011 to 2012 which meant I became very friendly with post office staff. In 2015, my then-fiancee was offered an opportunity to go into Active Guard/Reserve. It was like the Army heard our conversation that I wanted to leave my job. We married and then PCS'd to Fort Knox. Since that time, we've moved all around the East Coast, added two kids to the mix, and bought and sold several houses. Being a military spouse has taught me flexibility and learning how to put down shallow roots anywhere we land. I've been lucky to meet some of the best people and developed friendships that will certainly withstand the test of time.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
From 2023 to 2024, my husband attended the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks. During that time, I was a founding member of the Spouse Ambassador Committee. We were the official source of information from the War College to families as well as advocates and voices for family issues. We were not a social event or support committee. Instead, we operated in an official capacity under the authority of MG David Hill. This required countless volunteer hours with AWC Student Leadership, Faculty, and AWC Leadership. I learned so much from my fellow experienced Spouse Ambassadors and appreciated the opportunity to grow my own leadership skills.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I am involved in the military community in several ways. Online, I support families through the Exceptional Families of the Military, a non-profit that supports EFMP families. This includes moderating Facebook groups and collaborating with other EFMP advocates to work towards meaningful change. Locally, I connect with other military families who have a child with a disability to help them understand their rights and to continue building community.

Describe how you support your community:
I support my community through connecting families with appropriate resources so that they can be empowered to advocate for their child. I have reviewed IEPs and provided guidance regarding how to have a stronger, more appropriate IEP for their child. I have connected with several powerful advocates who operate on a local or national level. I also support families as they PCS and help them find resources for their child during this stressful time.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for changes in school districts that support meaningful inclusion. Our experience with school districts has been extremely variable despite the law guiding inclusion being older than myself. This advocacy is important for military families because we are subject to the school district where we PCS to and often don't have the option to shop around for the ideal place. My advocacy has resulted in a $2 million budget for inclusive preschools at a major school district, greater access to handicap parking during school drop off/pick-up times, and an increase in programs for military students. 

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I have been the most active on Facebook, including sharing public posts and connecting with the disability community through EFM. I have also made several local connections and am considered a "go-to" for disabled military families, especially in the Down Syndrome community. I have spoken at advocacy events in front of local and national leaders to advocate for change. I started an advocacy page, Shout Their Worth, where I posted important IEP information that all parents should know.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I hope to be a voice for the disability community as it is a part of the military community that is so often overlooked. Being a military family is so incredibly difficult especially with moving, deployments, and whatever else the military subjects families to that adding in a disabled family member just further complicates things. I would love to be able to collaborate with other powerful leaders who can make the EFMP easier to navigate and more understandable for families as well as local and national leaders to ensure military children are receiving the inclusive education they are entitled to through IDEA.