Doris has
this one wish for the people who read her story. " I want
people to
think of the difference they could make if each family
took one
child into their family. The foster care system is struggling
in every
state and each of us could change a child's life
from one
of sadness to one of belonging and joy."
Doris Stone
made the rescue of children her life's work.
Born in
Germany at the start of the Second World War, Doris and her mother struggled
to survive, even leaving Germany for France in order to find work.
Roger Stone,
a young American in the Air Force married Doris and brought her to the United
States. Roger then was posted to Korea and took Doris and their three
children along. Shortly after their arrival Doris met Europeans who had come
to Seoul to adopt Korean orphans.
When Doris
saw the condition of these babies in the orphanages she went into action. The
children had little food, no medical supplies and very little chance of
surviving. Doris and Roger fostered 27 adopted babies by taking them into
their home until the paperwork could be completed for the flights to their
new homes. Doris and Roger adopted one of these babies, Kenneth, who now
lives in Houston, near Doris.
In 1976
Doris and her family, now numbering 4 children, moved to Houston to care for
Roger's mother. At this point, Doris entered into her life's work; rescuing
and loving abandoned and abused children. During this time, Doris fostered
276 children. " I decided to adopt the children, because I had to be able to
tell my kids that they were safe with me, that no one would move them again,"
Doris said.
Doris has
adopted 14 children, Kenneth being the first and all the rest in the Houston
area. All are of mixed race and all have health problems.
Four
siblings, Corrina, Julie, Refi and Angie have fetal alcohol syndrome. Their
mother gave birth to nine children before her husband beat her to death.
The twins,
Christina and Christopher are the victims of cocaine abuse by their mother.
Robbie
weighed just under a pound at birth and when he was sent home from the
hospital his mother failed to care for him. He and 2 others were being
transferred to nursing homes, " to die" according to Doris, when she heard
about their needs.
Troy, now 14
is micro-cephalic and has Cerebral Palsy. He is on breathing support. (Update
on July 18, 2003: Troy passed away June 27. He was the oldest of Doris'
adopted children and was not expected to live more than a year after he came
to live with Doris. Troy died a few days before his fifteenth birthday. The
superior loving care that Troy received extended his time with the Stone
family by 8 years.)
Glenda was
sexually abused while with her mother and also has Cerebral Palsy. She was so
frightened of women with dark hair that Doris colored her own hair blond to
help Glenda become used to her.
Tonishia was
revived after being underwater 30 minutes and is also on breathing support.
Shaquita is
autistic.
Shawna is a
Down's syndrome child.
Anya has a
life threatening illness.
Vivian's
mother sold her for drugs to a man who called Protective Services.
Of the 14
children, two are on respirators and 5 have feeding tubes.
Roger Stone
died in 1997. Doris now in her 60's has the help of a childhood friend from
Germany who moved to Texas to help her when Roger became ill.
In the past
year Troy has been hospitalized near death, Angie has had surgery to repair
her feeding tube and the bedridden children need 24 hour care. Doris has some
nursing help but the work of caring for 14 children with mental, physical and
psychological problems is never ending.
Last year
one of the girls was sexually abused at school. Even though she identified
her abuser, the school refused to help Doris and she has withdrawn the
children from the local school system.
Doris plans
to move to Florida to provide a healthier environment for the family. Life
near refineries and petro-chemical plants is not good for any of the
children, especially those with breathing problems. Plus, Doris feels that
her children have experienced discrimination because of their ethnic
backgrounds and their disabilities.
Doris has
incredible energy, a tremendous heart and the deep belief that this is the
work she is meant to do.
May everyone be happy
May everyone be free from misery
May no one ever be separated from their happiness
May everyone have equanimity with freedom from hatred and attachment.
