'It's not easy': Mrs. New York is Army officer and Spina Bifida mom (Enable: The Disability Podcast)

Mrs. New York 2025 winner Colonel Christina Fanitzi talks with "Enable: The Disability Podcast" about her experience in the U.S. Army, her Top 6 finish in the Mrs. America Pageant, and her platform of Spina Bifida awareness, research and resources. She was inspired by her son, Christian, who was born with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele and Hydrocephalus – conditions that affect mobility, continence, and development. She was also named New York State's Mother of the Year in 2025, but doesn't take any of it lightly. "I think people would look at me and be like, 'Oh she's an Army officer, New York State Mother of the Year,' all this stuff. But I struggle. It's not easy. It's not effortless," she said. "It takes a lot of work." "Nothing worth it is easy," she added. "I got to give myself a lot of grace, and you got to give yourself grace... You're doing the best you could possibly do and your kid knows it." “Enable: The Disability Podcast,” which highlights amazing people with disabilities and different abilities, releases new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Follow facebook.com/enablepodcast or @enablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more. Note: Views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Advance Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices