011 Karen's Awesome Rebound – Black, No Legs, Over 50

Karen DeBolt is one of my sisters. Listen to Karen's story of love, reality, and growing up as a black person, with extreme disabilities, in a white family. Learn where she is today, over 50 and making her big sister so proud. The DeBolt Family is well known for the adopted children and blended biological families making a total of 20 children with almost as many physical challenges. Karen DeBolt's interview, 45 years later is a testimony to the strength of love and bonding under the most convoluted dynamics imaginable! We are a family of 20 siblings, many of them adopted. Thus, when Karen is black and I am white; when Karen is 16 years younger than I; when Karen and I grew up in a family that was far from "normal" she faced obstacles that, as her white, older sister, eluded me until I understood, much later in life, that "love does not conquer all". Love does make a HUGE difference! Karen's story reflects on her life from being adopted at age 5 to her life now, having passed the half century mark. It has had its ups and downs, like all of us. Her story, however has added dimension due to the extreme difficulties that she has had to deal with. Born without legs and only partial arms most of us cannot imagine how we might function. Yet Karen deals with this on a daily basis and is also reminded, almost daily, that she is black and this can make a big difference. Her boisterous laugh has defended many situations where she was just plain challenged! Karen has given birth to 2 boys and has learned to be a competent and loving mother. Needless to say, she faced obstacles that many of us have never even considered. Karen's story is one of hope, inspiration, and laughter Her laugh is contagious. When you listen you will laugh along with the two of us as we move from childhood to adulthood, from innocence to independence, from naïveté to wisdom. I was honored to interview my grown-up sister and share with the world what a truly beautiful and accomplished woman she is. Love you Sis! Resources: For speaking and interview opportunities contact Karen at (903) 904-4168. Facebook = Karen Debolt

You can listen to 011 Karen's Awesome Rebound – Black, No Legs, Over 50 online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

011 Karen's Awesome Rebound – Black, No Legs, Over 50 is an episode from Active After 35 Thrive to 105 by Stephanie Kay Atwood.

This episode is 31:46 long.

This episode was published on May 16, 2017.

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