Celebrate Life Magazine - Spring 2017

This
family
goes to
Mass
By Evelyn French
Walking up the long ramp to the attractive white house, my
mind was filled with memories of the many years I have
known this remarkable family.
George and Ann have had a mission they could never
have envisioned. With a solid conviction that every child, no
matter what, has a right to life, tender care, and whatever it
takes to help him reach his full potential, they have adopted,
over time, nine children with special needs. After providing
foster care for a little girl for two years, they decided to adopt.
Their children range in age from four-year-old Holly to
fifteen-year-old Martin. Their infirmities include but are not
limited to Down syndrome, autism, dysphasia, fetal alcohol
syndrome, vision, hearing and speech impediments, and the
wide range of problems associated with maternal use of heroin
and other street drugs.
Some of the children require wheelchairs, some specially
designed strollers, and some other mobility devises.
“We all go to Mass”
In this multi-racial family, only one thing is simple. “We all go
to Mass.” Sitting by the fireplace with Ann, I drew a deep
breath. “It must be a daunting task to get your family ready for
the Sunday 10:00 o’clock Mass. What is it like when you are
getting your family ready for church?” Ann smiled in agreement.
“We have a well-established routine. At 6:30, our nurse
begins waking and bathing the little ones.” Then she supervises
baths for the older ones. “George and I are flexible, take
turns, and allow our roles to overlap. One of us prepares
breakfast, including special dietary needs, as well as feeds
those who cannot feed themselves. Two have special formulas
and are tube fed.”
Meanwhile, the other one lays out “Sunday-best” clothes
and helps dress the children, makes beds, as well as checks
wheelchairs, strollers, and portable oxygen equipment. Diaper
bags must be packed for any minor catastrophe. Hearing aids
and glasses must be properly utilized. Finally, outdoor clothing
must be donned for the chilly morning air.
My face must have betrayed my awe and bewilderment,
for Ann laughed.
“By 9:15, we are ready to board the minibus. Walkers go in
first. The automatic lift is utilized for strollers and wheelchairs.
Car-seat riders are strapped securely in place. The nurse and I
take our seats. George drives us to the little country church.
At the handicapped parking space, the procedure is
reversed. Martin mans a stroller. George and I and the nurse
bring wheelchairs and another stroller.
Some of the children remain in their conveyances, for
church pews are not kind to their fragile bodies.”
SPRING 2017 | Celebrate Life Magazine 13