I share seven children with my husband, Jason, including three sons who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Max, 20, Rowen, 17, and Charlie, 15. Most of my columns talk about caregiving and my sons with DMD. However, in our large family, many other dynamics are at play, including the…
Party of 9 – a Column by Betty Vertin
Last week, I traveled with my sons Max, Rowen, and Charlie to Colorado for their multidisciplinary neuromuscular clinic visit at a children’s hospital. My husband and I typically don’t both travel with the boys, so one of us can stay home with our younger daughters. This time, it was…
My life is always in motion, and we are in a busy season as my family prepares to move into a new house, one that is being modified for accessibility. I share my life with my husband, Jason, and our seven children: Lexi, 25; Max, 20; Chance, 19; Rowen,…
With seven children — Lexi, 25; Max, 20; Chance, 19; Rowen, 17; Charlie, 15; Mary, 11; and Callie, 4; three of whom have Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) — I have entered the zone of a veteran parent and caregiver. Max, Rowen, and Charlie were diagnosed with DMD in…
The house is quiet this morning. A dog sleeps next to me on the couch as I contemplate the words I will use to write this column. The news is on, so there is some background noise, and I can faintly hear a video game playing in my son’s…
The week before school started was pure chaos. We had only been home from vacation long enough to unpack and start the laundry before we had to go to open houses on Monday at two of the kids’ schools, and then close on our new house. If that…
My family recently spent a week in Indiana with friends at a cabin on a lake, and it was so good for us. Our two families met more than a decade ago when our sons were all little boys, and we have remained friends throughout our separate journeys with…
The first thing I tell others about myself is that my husband and I share seven children: Lexi, 25; Max, 20; Chance, 19; Rowen, 17; Charlie, 15; Mary, 11; and Callie, 4. Being a mom is literally my favorite thing about myself. Caring for my family is my main purpose…
In the last year, I have written about our family’s need for more space. Well, I have some exciting news to share. We are moving to a new house! It has been a process. We looked at houses for months. That might sound like we looked at a lot…
As the summer flies by, my thoughts turn to going back to school — reluctantly. As a mother of many, the end of summer is nothing new. I have seven children with my husband, Jason: Lexi, 25; Max, 20; Chance, 19; Rowen, 17; Charlie, 15; Mary, 11; and Callie, 4. Max,…
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