My name is Ellie Porter, and I am the busy mother of 12 rambunctious kids, 4 biological, and the other 8 adopted! I am a housewife ("domestic engineer" for those who choose to be politically corect!), and my husband, Mark, is a factory worker. He works at General Motors as a production supervisor.
We live in Eugene, Oregon; lived here all our lives. We had four kids of our own (Ericka--16; Paul--14; Wendy--12; and Allie--Alicen; aged 9), but two years ago we started adding to the family; and in the process we added twins Obediah and Orion (13), Allen (11), Austin (7), Ashley (6), Breanne (5), Dallas (4), and Kirby Michael (3). All of these children are special kids; all are disabled in one way or another; but they have brought us so much in the way of joy and purpose in our lives!
The three youngest (Kirby, Dally, and Bree) all have spina bifida and use forearm crutches to walk, and Ashley and Austin both have epilepsy and asthma. Allen has brain damage from birth (he is mentally handicapped, too; he seems more like a 6-year-old than a preteen), and Orion and Obediah both are blind due to being born very premature. (Both weighed less than 3 pounds when they were born.)
But Ericka, Paul, Wendy, and Allie have taken the "newcomers" joyfully, and they have made them an important part of their lives; and they have been busy introducing them to their friends or showing them off each and every time they go someplace. It is good to know that they have accepted our additions as well as they have, especially since some of them are of another race (black..Obediah, Orion, Kirby, Dally, and Bree.., Native American..Allen.., and Oriental [Vietnamese]..Ashley and Austin). But they certainly do get plenty of stares from other people each time we go out (meaning the adopted ones). But we take it in stride and try to ignore the stares (although it DOES make us uncomfortable at times!).
I just only hope that others will see our kids as "normal" despite their disabilities; and I also hope that they will get to know them and give them a chance. After all, they may be disabled, but they are like any child, more than they may realize! And they will find that our kids are sweet-natured with good hearts and personalities (and I am NOT saying that just because I happen to be their mither!). All I ask is that they get to know my kids and look beyond the surface and look inside; that's where they will find the "real" beauty of these kids!
very nice meeting more of your characters, karen...WOW, i still am trying to get all of the sandusky's straight! :) you capture them in vivid detail...you can almost visualize them as you read about them. great job, karen! (((HUGS))) and love, karla. :)
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
My name is Ellie Porter, and I am the busy mother of 12 rambunctious kids, 4 biological, and the other 8 adopted! I am a housewife ("domestic engineer" for those who choose to be politically corect!), and my husband, Mark, is a factory worker. He works at General Motors as a production supervisor.
