Robin Eschman:  

Life is A Blessing: My partner and I have been together 11 1/2 yrs. We are raising Grandchildren, Godchildren and our biological children for a total of 10 kids. Their ages are from 4 - 19. Several of these children have Learning Disabilities and Emotional or Behavioral problems due to drug addiction at birth. I did a lot of partying during High School, but I finally grew up. My partner and I have been Clean and Sober for 9 1/2 yrs. now. I try to help others (children & adults) see that the "Fast Life" is just a Death Wish. I've been active in the Legislation as an Advocate for Elderly and Childrens Rights. From 1980-1988 I went through a series of surgeries due to a Hip problem and in 1988 I lost my right hip to staff infection. Since then I have to walk with Canadian Crutches. Between the years of Drugs and Alcohol and the surgeries, I aged quickly, but my kids and my partner love me, so who cares what everybody else thinks. I finally found me and learned to love myself. I'm a wonderful mother and grandmother, I'm a great cook and a pretty good artist. My Ex-husband and I have stayed the best of friends. All of the children we're raising have no fathers in their lives, so he has chosen to fill that place in their lives. We play Tee-Ball, Softball and Baseball for a rec. park from February to July and my 19 yr. old is working hard at a Baseball career. We try to make sure our kids stay active in school and we try our best to keep them out of the streets; sometimes we're successful and sometimes they have to learn the hard way. Our 2 oldest girls learned the hard way and that's why we're raising grandchildren. The four godchildren's mother, who was my ex-partner, got caught up in the fast life and walked out on kids. People tell me that some day we will be blessed for raising all these children, and I...Expand for more