After escaping abuse, family attempts to rebuild amid medical problems
The Christmas tree shines through the front window of the tidy house near Calallen, and inside four siblings giggle with each other and share inside jokes.
The two youngest, 7-year-old Piper and 9-year-old James, give quiet, simple answers to questions about school and hobbies. Both cite math as their favorite subject, but warm up a little when discussing interests. Piper loves to watch "Frozen" and "Frozen II" and shows off the tie-dyed stuffed cat she won answering Christmas trivia at school. James prefers video games, with "Fortnite" the particular favorite.
The two older girls, 12-year-old Daisy and 13-year-old Ava, are more forthcoming. Daisy is a straight-A student who likes math and art class, plus crafts and jewelry making. Ava enjoys English language arts and athletics, and spends time experimenting with hairstyles.
All typical kid stuff, but their mother, Robin, doesn’t shy away from the family’s hardships.
Two and half years ago, Robin and her children were living in a shelter after escaping from an abusive relationship. They spent about seven months in the shelter and were grateful for the help and the chance to get back on their feet, but life in a shelter is hard. Everyone in the family had shelter-wide chores to complete, such as laundry and cleaning, and often had belongings stolen.
“It was not a good past. We’ve gone through a lot,” Robin said. “To go from having everything to having nothing, having to rebuild ourselves back up.”
The children represent thousands who will be helped by the Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal. The names of the families profiled have been changed to protect their privacy.
Since 1973, the Caller-Times has reported the struggle of needy children and their families during the holiday season. All the money donated to the Christmas Appeal campaign benefits the children; all overhead costs are borne by the Caller-Times, United Way of the Coastal Bend and participating agencies.
Participating agencies include Boys & Girls Club of Alice, Duval County Christmas Committee, the Kleberg County Welfare Department, Nueces County Department of Social Services, the Odyssey After School Enrichment Program in Rockport, Sinton for Youth Inc. and the Purple Door.
Robin and the kids are committed to overcoming the past, and are helped along by Robin’s boyfriend, Julio, who became a part of the family after they left the shelter.
“That was the end of a chapter for us, and there was a light at the end of the tunnel,” Robin said.
But in the interim, Robin has run into health problems. A disorder she’s had since she was 19 years old has caused a return of frequent seizures, and her medical team has said working is no longer an option. Julio was injured at his job and can’t work for the time being.
“Instead of me being a hero to my kids, they all come to help me,” Robin said. “When I get sick, they are cooking meals, helping me move to the couch, making sure I’m taken care of."
“She’s a strong woman, but they are all strong,” Julio said. “All have their chores and responsibility and pull their weight. They wash clothes; they help with dinner. It’s amazing.”
He added that he tries to be a father figure to the kids. “I want them to be the best they can be. I want them to be in a situation where they have what they need. They might not have what they want, but they have what they need.”
There are some gaps in what they need. While items like games and toys are always nice, the kids would also love furniture for their shared bedrooms. In one bedroom the drawer fronts are falling off the dresser, while the other bedroom makes do with plastic storage bins.
Regardless of what they are able to get the kids this year, Robin and Julio know what they can give them is far more important than material things.
“We try to give them that sturdy foundation,” Robin said. “No matter what’s given to you, you can always overcome it, whether good or bad. You can still change your ways and continue a process of growth.”
HOW TO DONATE
Here are three ways to help:
*Fill out the donation form on Page 2A. Make your check or money order payable to Children’s Christmas Appeal and mail to: United Way of Coastal Bend, 4659 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, TX, 78411 (designate funds to Children's Christmas Appeal)
*Go online to www.uwcb.org and click on the DONATE button.
*Text ChristmasAppeal (no spaces) to 41444 to make a donation.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: After escaping abuse, family attempts to rebuild amid medical problems
