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Meet the Tolins
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Love By Teri Brown
Like any proud Mama, Sue has been known to go on about her children's accomplishments. Though proud of all their children, the Tolins are especially amazed by Kim, a lovely dark-eyed little girl born without a lower jaw, who is also a triple amputee. This is a child who doesn't let her disabilities hold her back; she has learned to write with her shortened arms (she has no hands) and even to ride her tricycle.
Their son Brent is another amazing child. Brent was born with a myriad of disorders including septo-optic dysplasia (which left him completely blind), pituitary dwarfism, severe mental retardation, hypothyroidism and diabetes. In spite of his many challenges, Brent loves music and has taken vocal lessons through the Variety FAR Conservatory of Therapeutic and Performing Arts in Birmingham, Mich., and has publicly performed many times at telethons, benefits and sporting events. Two years ago, Brent was given the honor of singing the National Anthem at Commercial Park for a Detroit Tigers game.
But it doesn't take big accomplishments to impress the Tolins. All of the Tolin children are prized and every accomplishment is considered a gift. How do the Tolins do it? If you ask them they will point to their faith. "We follow God's plan for our lives," says Sue. "We were led to adopt His special children through our faith in Him and His plan for our lives."
"I feel all children are special, and if our lives hadn't been touched through adoption we would not be what we are today," says Sue. "Life is short and all children deserve and have a right to a forever family and love. All I can say is, 'Why not?'"