HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?
by carrie lauterbach

Greg and Angela Tipton have a beautiful garden, full of perennial wildflowers of all colors, shapes and sizes. As all good gardeners do, they make sure the soil is rich with nutrients and full of all the life sustaining vitamins and minerals that plants need to grow. Long before the seeds were planted, Greg and Angela worked hard to make sure the soil was flexible enough to make room for the seeds to sprout. This garden is in just the right spot, so that it can receive rain and sunshine, particularly important once the little shoots sprout and begin to leave the ground. After the planting work is done, the Tiptons stand back and let God work the miracle of life. Their job is then to shape the flowers, train them by providing strong stakes upon which they can grow, and weeding out as much of the harmful influences as possible.

Elizabeth Hope, Suzanne Elaine, Evan Gregory, Janet Marie and Katie Ann are the beautiful flowers in this Tipton garden, and Greg and Angela the gardeners. These parents are still amazed, and humbled, by the way their family has grown. Elizabeth, now almost 16, was from Angela’s first marriage, and so Greg started this marriage as a stepfather. But Elizabeth doesn’t necessarily see it that way. She knows Greg as her dad, the one she can look to for help, advice, support; the one who is always there for her. Suzanne: bright, determined, and ready to take on the world, is a 10 year old with accolades already for having started ‘Suzie’s Closet’, a durable equipment lending library, and most recently, a grant winner from the American Idol star Clay Aiken (she received $1,000 to build ramps for families in need.) Even from her wheelchair, Suzanne is walking the path to make this world better.

Evan and Janet, both 7 years old, are different as day from night, yet they have an uncanny connection to each other. A miracle, given that Janet cannot speak nor walk, due to being severely hurt as a baby. But she and Evan play, and even have typical sibling squabbles, all without words; although as anyone who knows him would agree, Evan has enough words to keep a three way conversation going all by himself! And last, but certainly not least, is Katie, age 5, and the sunshine of this family. Any visitor to this home has to be careful; because Katie can ensnare you with her smile and win your heart with her little voice that says “please” do whatever I ask. You can’t help but say yes every time.

Greg and Angela have five beautiful children, four of them adopted, with the last adoption through Appalachian Family Innovation’s Adoption Plus program. Wheelchairs, special diets, medications, and life-sustaining machinery abound in this family. But all you really see and hear is the love, the laughter, and the endless praise for all the blessings from God. Yes, Greg and Angela have a beautiful garden, and the flowers can take your breath away.

Janet Marie Tipton, age 7, died peacefully on June 14, 2004 surrounded by her family. In the nine months that Janet lived with her ‘forever family’, she brought much joy and happiness to the Tiptons and they feel forever blessed to have had her in their lives.

Interested in More Information?
Professional Parenting/Adoption Plus has been doing foster care for the past 20 years and adoption for the last 10 years. Our parent agency is called Appalachian Family Innovations, and we are a part of Appalachian State University.
The Professional Parenting/Adoption Plus motto is: “Do Whatever It Takes.” That means that we will go above and beyond to provide the very best for our kids and our foster and adoptive families.

All of our children are in the custody of the Department of Social Services and can come from any county in the state.

These children have all been abused or neglected, or have serious medical needs. They need a safe, structured and nurturing family to care for them. Most of the children with Professional Parenting/Adoption Plus are school age (5 – 18).
Professional Parenting/Adoption Plus offers top notch training and excellent support services to all families. This means that all families have one staff person who works very closely with them, and a staff person is always available to families 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Here is how you can help:

Be a foster or adoptive parent, or provide weekend relief.
Pass the word! Tell your friends or family; talk to your church or civic group; help find a family for a specific child.

Loving and caring families are needed all the time! You have to be at least 21 years old, financially stable and have an extra bedroom in your home. We will help you get licensed, which includes a background police record check.
Please call for more information!! You can reach a Professional Parenting or Adoption Plus Program Manager at the office anytime from 9 – 5.
828 236 2877; familyinnovations.org

Suzie’s Closet
Utilizing new and used equipment for long term loans to families
*This is a program supported by the Family Support Network

About Suzie: Hey, I’m Suzanna Tipton (Suzie). I am nine years old. I was born with Cerebral Palsy. I use a power wheelchair and other various pieces of adaptive equipment.

My family and I have struggled to get this equipment and at times have fought to get it. We have experienced long waiting periods to get approval from insurance to cover equipment. Sometimes the equipment did not fit once we received it. I wanted to do this project to help other families get equipment as soon as possible and use it as long as they need it. I also want parents and individuals to have a place to donate unused equiment to be reused often. I knowthat if we work together we can improve things for others.

Love from Suzie

Our Mission Statement: Suzie’s Closet is a non-profit volunteer program whose main focus is to serve our community. We provide families with a place to donate used/new equipment. This equipment will be utilized for long-term loans to families and short-term loans to therapists. Our goal is to provide families and professionals with support and resources through quality equipment loans while inspiring an attitude of sharing.
Inventory: We have lots of items such as wheelchairs, walkers, standers, toileting and bath systems, medical supplies and much more.

We need items: These are some examples of items you can donate:
• Wheelchairs, walkers, crutches
• Seating and Positioning equipment (walkers, standers, special car seats, corner chairs, etc.)
• Toileting and bath systems
• Adaptive eating utensils
• Therapy balls, bolsters, mats
• Used software and computer equipment, switches, touchscreens.

We also accept medical supplies such as Pediasure, diapers, feeding supplies, nebulizers, etc. Please contact us if you have items you would like to have picked up.
Outreach Program: If you know of a family that needs equipment, but for some reason is unable to come to us, we will go to them.

Contact us by phone or letter and we will be happy to take our book to them and show them what is available and deliver or pick up equipment.

Phone: 828-890-5023 Fax: 828-698-6378 P.O. Box 886, Horseshoe, NC 828-775-5023