Party of 9 – a Column by Betty Vertin

The seasons are changing in central Nebraska. The leaves have turned yellow and orange, a beautiful contrast littered across the green lawns and familiar streets surrounding my home. The mornings are brisk, and I’ve finally pulled out my warmer sweaters and fuzzy socks. I’ve been drinking pumpkin spice coffee for weeks!…

I’m a mom to seven children: Lexi, 23; Max, 18; Chance, 17; Rowen, 15; Charlie, 13; Mary, 10; and Callie, 2. As part of that job, I’m also a caregiver to Max, Rowen, and Charlie, who all have Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Additionally, I’m a chronic DIYer (do-it-yourselfer). Yes,…

I sat in the front row of the football stadium, watching my second-oldest son, Chance, 17, play football. It’s his senior year, and I’ve been front and center at each game. That front row has the accessible seating, which helps because Chance has three brothers living with…

What’s a typical week as a caregiver of three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) like? As a primary caregiver to Max, 18, Rowen, 15, and Charlie, 13, my honest answer is that I wish I knew! There is no typical week. I also have four children who…

Our house is getting a new piece of medical equipment this week. That’s happened before, as we have three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Max, 18, Rowen, 15, and Charlie, 13. Over the past decade, in fact, our house has been a landing zone for lots of equipment…

I’m going gray. Wait, I should clarify that I’ve been coloring my hair since I was 25. It started coming in gray long before I became a mom to three sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Max, 18, Rowen, 15, and Charlie, 13. But after hiding my natural color…

In my recent columns, I’ve shared several challenges we’ve faced in the past months of my family’s journey with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). My accessible van will be in the shop for the foreseeable future. I’ve returned to work after over a decade at home as a…

I walked home from school today. I’m almost 45 years old, yet today, with my backpack on, my empty lunch container stuffed inside, and a sweater tied around my waist, I walked home from school. As I pondered whether I was overthinking that image, my daughter Mary, 9, who goes…

My life has recently been a whirlwind of activity. Now that the dust is finally settling, I’ve taken advantage of the relative quiet to take inventory of my family. An inventory of my family? What does that even mean? I have a large family. Inventory is how I describe keeping…

My past two columns highlighted significant life events: my daughter’s wedding and my return to the workforce. I’m keeping that theme going today as well, noting my oldest son’s move into his college dorm! Having children leave to experience lives of their own, outside the home you’ve…