When did this happen

As a parent with a child/children with special needs you learn to develope some thick skin and do things that you never in your wildest dreams thought you would be able to do.  I remember before I had children, I never thought I would be able to handle having a child with special needs.  I have always been such a quiet person, very laid back, tried not to upset people, never really fought for what I deserved, etc.
Now days, with having 3 children with varying special needs I have learned that I am my children's biggest advocate.  If I don't fight for what they need and what they deserve, who will.  I don't stand idly by and let others not give my children what they need.   In the past I would have never fought with a school district over an IEP, or yelled at a principal when they were not following an IEP that was in place,  or placed calls to multiple agencies just looking for someone who was willing to point me in the right direction to get services for my children. 
I have learned early on in my journey with special needs that I have to stand up and voice my opinions, I have to let people know when I don't agree with what they are saying or doing(not in a "just being a bitch" type of way, I do it nicely). 
Most recent example is..... Monkey Man is almost 6 and they had to re-evaluate for special education.  Well everyone was telling me that they didn't think he would qualify to have an IEP anymore, as happy as that made me I was also beyond scared.  He is doing great because of the supports we have in place, and he is doing great this year in Kindergarten but what about next year in 1st grade when there will be more demands put on him.  In the past I would have just agreed and he would be without an IEP, but now.... I called a very high up advocate who is beyond awesome when it comes to getting the school to do what they should since he was the one who wrote or helped write most of the special education laws :)  He completely agreed with everything, and was appauled that they wanted to end the IEP.  I also called the autism support person in my district (she was also one of the people doing the evals) and let her know how I felt about everything and my fears of Monkey Man going down hill if the supports were not there. 
Needless to say, he kept his IEP.  They took some things out (things he no longer required) and added in some new things that he needs to work on. 

When did I become this person who stands up for herself and her children, when did I start voicing my opinion and not caring if I upset anyone, when did I become one of those people who don't care if everyone likes them, when did I become the person who will stand up to others when she knows that the other person is not doing what needs to be done,  I became this person the day I realized that no one else will be this person and fight to get my children the things that they need and deserve.  I became this person the day I became a mother and more so when I became a mother of a child/ren with special needs. I became this person the day I realized if I didn't advocate for myself and my children, who would.  And I like this person I have become!!!!!