Rebecca Knight

Share your military spouse story:
I became a military spouse in September 2019, stepping into a life shaped by service, sacrifice, and constant change—without yet realizing how deeply it would shape me. In the summer of 2022, my family moved from San Antonio to Fort Hood. Like many military moves, it brought uncertainty and the challenge of starting over. That weight felt heavier as I navigated the transition while raising a child with special needs. Those early months were isolating. I searched for spaces where my son could feel safe and for community where we belonged without explanation. Instead, I found gaps—well-meaning spaces that weren’t built for families like ours. Rather than letting that define us, I chose to help fill those gaps. Military life taught me that strength is often quiet—found in rebuilding, advocating, and creating belonging wherever we land.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I currently oversee a special needs ministry within my local church to support families facing barriers to participation due to sensory overload and lack of resources. This ministry fostered sensory-friendly worship environments and trained volunteers to understand diverse needs, allowing parents much-needed opportunities to rest and connect. Prayer support as well. Additionally, I organize sensory-friendly community events open to all, helping families participate without fear of exclusion. I advocate for disability awareness and actively work on developing respite care solutions for families. By collaborating with local organizations, I strive to build stronger support networks. My commitment is to ensure that inclusion is essential, providing access to community and care. Looking ahead, I remain dedicated to expanding inclusive programming and advocating for individuals with special needs.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I am currently working on initiatives focused on creating inclusive spaces and strengthening community support for families with special needs, including military families. There are also plans to collaborate with Killeen Parks and Recreation to provide input on sensory-friendly design and inclusive programming, helping ensure public spaces and events are accessible to individuals of all abilities. Through Side by Side Collective, I partner with churches to develop and support special needs ministries by providing training, resources, and strategic guidance for sustainable inclusion. Additionally, I collaborate with the Bell County Pediatric Network to connect families with community agencies, healthcare providers, and support services, strengthening coordination across systems of care. These efforts reflect my commitment to collaboration, accessibility, and building inclusive communities where families feel supported and valued.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
A defining experience in my work has been collaboration. By partnering with local organizations and volunteers, I helped create welcoming environments for military families who often face frequent relocations. One parent shared that, for the first time since moving, they felt “known.” That sense of belonging became a powerful measure of our inclusive impact. The most consistent reflection of my work comes from the trust families place in the spaces I help create—parents confidently leaving their children, volunteers growing in confidence, and families returning week after week. These moments affirm that inclusion is built through consistency, compassion, and intentional leadership. Together, they reflect my commitment to building an inclusive community that recognizes the unique challenges of military and special needs families, ensuring inclusion is not an exception, but the standard.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My advocacy began when I realized the world was not built with my son in mind. Kaiden is six and has autism, and being his mother has changed how I see everyday spaces -playgrounds, classrooms, churches, and libraries that often exclude without intention. I have stood in doorways wondering if we would have to leave early, watching Kaiden cover his ears or retreat when noise and unpredictability became overwhelming. Those moments of isolation were not about who he is, but environments unwilling to meet him where he is. That realization became my turning point. I now advocate for inclusive, sensory-aware spaces through partnerships with parks and recreation, libraries, churches, and pediatric networks. Kaiden has taught me that inclusion isn’t about fixing children—it’s about listening, creating safety, and making room for who they already are.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
One of our most impactful outreach events has been Jingle of Joy, a sensory-friendly holiday celebration designed so families of individuals with special needs could experience the season without stress or exclusion. With sensory stations, adaptive games, quiet spaces, and trained volunteers, families were free to participate at their own pace. For many, it was the first holiday event they could attend together without anxiety. Building on that success, we are preparing for an Inclusive Field Day, extending the same principles into outdoor recreation. The event will include adaptive activities, sensory-friendly zones, rest areas, and visual supports to create a joyful, low-pressure environment for children of all abilities. Together, these events reflect our commitment to intentional inclusion—creating spaces where every child is welcome and every family belongs.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If selected as AFI Military Spouse of the Year, I will amplify the voices of military families navigating special needs, frequent transitions, and limited access to inclusive support. My goal is to move the conversation from survival to sustainable, proactive care. Military spouses are resilient, but resilience should not require exhaustion or isolation. I will advocate for inclusive community spaces, accessible programs, and coordinated services that follow families through each PCS by strengthening partnerships among installations, schools, churches, healthcare providers, and local communities. On a personal level, I aim to bring visibility to families like mine, reminding them they are not alone. Ultimately, I hope to create lasting change so every military family feels seen, supported, and valued, and every child can grow in a welcoming community.