Thursday, June 1, 2006, 11:27 a.m., D.S.T., Atlanta, Georgia~

Dear Ma'am~

My name is Carmen Victoria Rigoletti, and I and my husband, Mario, have twelve wonderful children who range in age from nearly two years to 21 years.

Most are disabled (as I know yours are), so we have something in common.

I was perusing the 'Net, and I happened to drop by your adoption community. I also saw a copy of one of your books. That was when I decided to write to you.

Our children, as I just mentioned, come with disabilities. Their disabilities range from autism to Down's syndrome, from limb deficiency to blindness, from deafness to spina bifida, and mutism to arthritis (JRA). They come from places like China, Vietnam, Colombia, India, Nepal, Guatemala, Mexico, Belarus, and the United States of America.

Our children are named, from the oldest to the youngest, Heather Lynn (21, Down's syndrome and mutism), Scott Michael (19, severe autism), Brogan Daniel (17, blind since birth), Bailey Shane (15, missing left arm and hand; born this way), Amber Michelle (13, hearing impaired; uses ASL to communicate), Christian Paul (12, JRA; uses crutches for mobility), Taylor Morgan (11; spina bifida, uses crutches for mobility or a wheelchair for longer distances), Nathaniel Stephen (10, Down's syndrome; not as severely affected as his older sister Heather), Dorian Cade (9, asthma and severe allergies), Pedro Mateo (7, hearing-impaired; can read lips and talk fairly well for his disability), Katie-l.ynn (3, cerebral palsy, walks with a walker and braces on legs), and finally (but certainly NOT least!), our baby, Matthew Regan, who is one-and-a-half. (He has lost an eye to cancer, and he is currently undergoing chemo and radiation treatments to try to curb the spread of his cancer.)

It has been a rough road to hoe at times (particularly with Matt's situation, and also with Heather's heart concerns, Scott's emotional tirades, Christian's "flares", Taylor's headaches or bladder infections that have put him into the hospital, and Dorian's breathing crises), but God has seen us through the worst of times, and He's made us a stronger family. We are closer now than we have ever been, and we cherish each moment with our special kids as though it were our last.

Mario works as a contractor whilest I stay at home with the children. I also homeschool our brood; that way, if they need me, I am always available for them. I don't like what is happening in our nation's education system, so I teach the children myself. They seem to be doing very well in their academic studies, and I am proud of every little accomplishment they have acheived.

Well, Louisiana, the baby (Mattie) is crying, so I will attend to him. I do hope to hear from you soon. At times, I feel overwhelmed, and I guess at times I need a shoulder to cry on.

Take care, Louisiana, and may the Lord bless you!

Sincerely,

A mama in Atlanta, Georgia, Carmen Victoria Rigoletti (mama to 12 children, all with special needs). :)