Press Releases
Media
September 25, 2009
ENSIGN: CARSON CITY COUPLE TRULY ANGELS IN ADOPTION
Washington, D.C. – Senator John Ensign is proud to announce that his nominees for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s Angels in Adoption Program have been selected to represent the state of Nevada for the extraordinary contributions they have made on behalf of children in need of homes. Roberta and Merrill Simon, of Carson City, have adopted 18 children over the past 30 years—most of whom have been special needs children.
“When you come across people like Roberta and Merrill Simon, you see what good there really is in the world,” said Ensign. “Having been adopted by my dad when I was a child, I know what an amazing gift adoption is. For the Simons to open their homes and their hearts to 18 children is beyond extraordinary. There is no better word to describe them than angels.”
The Simon’s children range in age from 15 months old to 30 years old. They have adopted children with short life expectancies and extreme disabilities.
Roberta Simon explained that the couple is humbled by the recognition but feel that there are many others that deserve it more. “We were brought together by tragedy, but we try not to define ourselves by those events in the children’s lives,” she stated.
The Angels in Adoption Program works to draw attention to the difference that adoption makes in a child’s life. The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute educates federal policymakers on the barriers that prevent children from being adopted. Deanna Workman & Denise Gernant were also selected to represent Nevada in this program.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
FROM THE NEVADA APPEAL...written by Teri Vance
Photo taken by Cathleen Allison. Nevada AppealTwo years ago, 16-year-old Micah Simon weighed 129 pounds and didn't have the stamina to make it through a shopping trip.So his mother, Roberta, made changes to his diet and worked with Dayton Intermediate School to increase his exercise. Now, he weighs 106 pounds and keeps up with the family on regular outings.
“He's like a new kid,” Roberta said. As Micah, who suffers from Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and low-level cerebral palsy, made the transition to Dayton High School, his mother wanted to ensure he remained active.
Vice principal Tim Logan approached River Vista Fitness owner Phil Cowee about allowing Micah to use equipment there. As the conversation evolved, Cowee agreed to donate a recumbent exercise bike to the classroom and allow the students access to the gym.
“It started as something for Micah and blossomed into something wonderful that benefits the whole class,” Roberta said. “I was tickled to find out they were going to do it.”
Cowee said he was happy to provide the service. “We're a small community so we try to help out where we can,” he said.
Curtis Bent, who teaches comprehensive life skills to students with multiple handicaps, said the bike will help students maintain fitness and increase their longevity and quality of life. “It needs to part of their life's rhythms as it should be part of ours,” he said.
Although Micah cannot verbalize his feelings, Roberta said his smile and other gestures let her know he enjoys his time on the bike.
Aubrie Robards nodded vehemently when asked if she liked the exercise bike. And her mother is grateful.“Fifteen minutes on a stationary bike may not seem like much to most of us,” Wendy Robards said. “But for Aubrie, it means a chance at standing up longer on her legs to walk. More strength to hold her arms up to complete tasks, and the muscles in her heart will keep pumping blood.”
As the adoptive mother to 18 children with special needs, Roberta said she works to keep all of them as physically active as they can be. “It's easier for everyone to be sedentary,” she said. “They need exercise just like anyone else. They just go about it differently than you or I.”
Bent said in more than 30 years as a teacher he's always helped his students become fit. It complements other programs he's implemented where students, who range in age from 14 to 22, volunteer or work in the community to help them gain necessary skills.
He said by increasing their fitness, the students are setting a good example for him to follow.“I should be doing what I'm expecting of them,” he said.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Our Baby Girl is Growing Up....too fast!!!
Our beautiful little girl, our angel, Miss LisaMarie, born October 8, 1999. Time has flown by as we have had the joy of watching her grow.
She has always thought she was born a princess into this home and had had a very hard time accepting she was a mere commoner :o)
She loves sports and really loved taking swimming. My guess it was the crush on the teacher that brought her the furthest. She could have been in the Olympics if he had kept it up. It was wonderful.
She is our pride and our joy...our Rose amongst the thrones as he daddy says. Yes, today she turns ten and life is passing us by fast. All to soon she will be a lady. We will have to cherish the days and years ahead.
We love you LisaMarie. You are one of God's greatest gifts to our family.
She has always thought she was born a princess into this home and had had a very hard time accepting she was a mere commoner :o)
She loves sports and really loved taking swimming. My guess it was the crush on the teacher that brought her the furthest. She could have been in the Olympics if he had kept it up. It was wonderful.She is our pride and our joy...our Rose amongst the thrones as he daddy says. Yes, today she turns ten and life is passing us by fast. All to soon she will be a lady. We will have to cherish the days and years ahead.We love you LisaMarie. You are one of God's greatest gifts to our family.All our love, Mom and Dad.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Pity Party, Maybe...just not really sure
Today has been a busy day. This family is always busy on many levels. I have been at the schools so many times in the last four weeks that it nearly makes my head spin. IEP's out the yingyang. We have made the choice to have Micah moved out of the school he really needed to be in and have him start High School. Yes, he is 16, but he will be in school till he is 22, so we did what we felt was best for him. It became obvious to all that it was not and he had to make the move. He starts next Tuesday.
Also last week Merrill and I got word that we have been nominated to receive the Angels In Adoption Award. While we really do consider it a very high honor, why do they only give you three weeks notice? In that three weeks we are to secure travel to Washington DC, get care providers for 11 special children, get the time off from work, make arrangements for a place to stay while in DC and on and on the list goes.
As Merrill and I faced the task at hand, it has become clear that it will not happen for us. The children need to have someone we trust stay with them and this go around that is not going to happen on such short notice. I guess one of the harsh realities of this journey we travel is that respite care is hard to come by. For some strange reason no one calls up and offers to watch the children for the day, much less for five days....LOL.
Still, life it was it is and for the most part it is a pretty great life. I am not sure that I would have handed picked this journey for myself, but I am tickled to be on it. Thanks for sharing a small part of the ride with us. Hugs to all.
Also last week Merrill and I got word that we have been nominated to receive the Angels In Adoption Award. While we really do consider it a very high honor, why do they only give you three weeks notice? In that three weeks we are to secure travel to Washington DC, get care providers for 11 special children, get the time off from work, make arrangements for a place to stay while in DC and on and on the list goes.
As Merrill and I faced the task at hand, it has become clear that it will not happen for us. The children need to have someone we trust stay with them and this go around that is not going to happen on such short notice. I guess one of the harsh realities of this journey we travel is that respite care is hard to come by. For some strange reason no one calls up and offers to watch the children for the day, much less for five days....LOL.
Still, life it was it is and for the most part it is a pretty great life. I am not sure that I would have handed picked this journey for myself, but I am tickled to be on it. Thanks for sharing a small part of the ride with us. Hugs to all.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Another Amazing Gift...a Blessing for sure.
Merrill and I have always said that God has always provided for all of our needs and many of our wants. We sometimes never know where the blessing come from, but we give Him the glory. We have wanted and dreamed of a larger play set for the children. Lookie what arrived at our home!!!! This play set is huge and the children have been so happy with it. Mordachi can use his arms to pull his body up so he can slide down. It takes work, but he has such a sense of accomplishment and the joy on his face is priceless. Adults can even go up and slide down and they can swing on the swing.
We have ordered a ground cover so that Joseph can go out and enjoy it also. Right now there is too much dirt to kick up so it is not safe with his trach. Micah had so much fun in the dirt, but hey, he had a blast. Jericho enjoys the swings. Maverick is eyeballing it already. It is fun to watch his 15 month old mind going to work already. He will be ready to go soon enough. Enjoy the pictures. I promise to post more soon. This is a work in progress and we fix it all up.
Again, To God Be The Glory. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
Oh man, the dirt...LOL
Up Goes McClain
McClain and His Friend Nolan
Up Goes Joey.
We have ordered a ground cover so that Joseph can go out and enjoy it also. Right now there is too much dirt to kick up so it is not safe with his trach. Micah had so much fun in the dirt, but hey, he had a blast. Jericho enjoys the swings. Maverick is eyeballing it already. It is fun to watch his 15 month old mind going to work already. He will be ready to go soon enough. Enjoy the pictures. I promise to post more soon. This is a work in progress and we fix it all up.
Again, To God Be The Glory. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
Taken from our deck
Oh man, the dirt...LOL Up Goes McClain
McClain and His Friend Nolan
Up Goes Joey.LisaMarie on the climbing rope/swing
Monday, August 17, 2009
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Story by Master Sgt. Michael J. Lacuesta
Sgt. Merrill Simon is a force to be reckoned with. Standing an impressive 6 feet 11 inches, he is looked up to more than people look up at birds in the sky. This resident of Moundhouse, Nevada, a small community east of Carson City, is looked up to with respect and dignity.
Simon was born on October 18, 1955 in Long Beach California. Simon met his wife, Roberta at Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, Oklahoma in 1977. Roberta and Merrill were married on June 30, 1978 and are the proud parents of 16 children with one more on the way. Early in their marriage, Roberta and Merrill Simon learned they would not be able to have their own children, along with events early in Roberta's life, they decided to look at Special needs adoptions. Each one of these children has severe emotional and/or physical special needs, ranging from fetal alcohol syndrome to more severe medical needs such as blindness, deafness, tracheotomy, Cerebral palsy, wheelchair dependent and many require 24 hour care. These special parents do everything they can to provide a loving and nurturing home for these children and are committed to the lifetime care many of these children will require in the future. Due to their medical conditions, two of these children have passed away, each having left this world long after the doctors had predicted they would pass. While the family dearly misses these two little ones, they feel their mission has always been to provide the best possible home, with as much love and care as can be provided.
Simon has a total of 33 years, to include 25 years of commissioned service in the United States Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. His present assignment is working with the S6 at Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC). 5th Brigade, 75th Division. His civilian occupation in an I.T. Technician with the Nevada Department of Transportation, Carson City, Nevada.
Simon is a man who has dedicated his life to help others. The 5th Brigade is proud to call him one of their own. He is living up to the motto "Army Strong."
********************************************************
This article was published in the Bulge Buster. Winter 2008/2009. Needless to say, we really got two children for the price of one...LOL. So that gives us the 18 wonderful children.
Here in the Simon household we are just lucky and blessed to call him husband and dad.
We Love You Merrill and We are Proud of You and All You Stand For!!!!
Sgt. Merrill Simon is a force to be reckoned with. Standing an impressive 6 feet 11 inches, he is looked up to more than people look up at birds in the sky. This resident of Moundhouse, Nevada, a small community east of Carson City, is looked up to with respect and dignity.
Simon was born on October 18, 1955 in Long Beach California. Simon met his wife, Roberta at Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, Oklahoma in 1977. Roberta and Merrill were married on June 30, 1978 and are the proud parents of 16 children with one more on the way. Early in their marriage, Roberta and Merrill Simon learned they would not be able to have their own children, along with events early in Roberta's life, they decided to look at Special needs adoptions. Each one of these children has severe emotional and/or physical special needs, ranging from fetal alcohol syndrome to more severe medical needs such as blindness, deafness, tracheotomy, Cerebral palsy, wheelchair dependent and many require 24 hour care. These special parents do everything they can to provide a loving and nurturing home for these children and are committed to the lifetime care many of these children will require in the future. Due to their medical conditions, two of these children have passed away, each having left this world long after the doctors had predicted they would pass. While the family dearly misses these two little ones, they feel their mission has always been to provide the best possible home, with as much love and care as can be provided.
Simon has a total of 33 years, to include 25 years of commissioned service in the United States Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. His present assignment is working with the S6 at Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC). 5th Brigade, 75th Division. His civilian occupation in an I.T. Technician with the Nevada Department of Transportation, Carson City, Nevada.
Simon is a man who has dedicated his life to help others. The 5th Brigade is proud to call him one of their own. He is living up to the motto "Army Strong."
********************************************************
This article was published in the Bulge Buster. Winter 2008/2009. Needless to say, we really got two children for the price of one...LOL. So that gives us the 18 wonderful children.
Here in the Simon household we are just lucky and blessed to call him husband and dad.
We Love You Merrill and We are Proud of You and All You Stand For!!!!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Gone From Our Lives, NEVER From Our Hearts.
Malachi Isaiah-Jacob Simon 10-22-90 to 07-29-97
How does a family ever really have to say goodbye to a child? How do they watch the suffering from something as painful as liver cancer? How do they move on from that place in their lives, the place that hurts so deep in places you never knew you could hurt? I am not really sure, but I know that God plays a huge part in that painful recovery. We loved Malachi more than life itself. He was a part of what made Me Roberta. When he died a part of me died also.
Today we celebrate his life. We celebrate that in his passing, we have indeed become a stronger family. We enjoy his memory and all that he brought to this family. We find joy that his siblings that never really knew him, now know him. We take great pride that he chose us to be his family and allowed us to help him though his toughest days. He taught us to be strong and to cling to the fact that one day we will see him again. Yes, he was ripped from us at such a young age, but his life had meaning. He touched so many people. He will live on through all of us.
Merrill, Marshal and Malachi
The Family and Cloudy
Roberta and Malachi at Disney World
Hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail. Michael with Malachi.
Malachi's Last Christmas...at the Hospital
In PICU
The Kids...Mallory Maxwell, Jason, Marshal, Michael, and Malachi.
Malachi
Acting Silly :o)Friday, July 10, 2009
JULY 10...We can run, but we can not hide!
This is a very busy day for us as a family. It is always a day of happiness and a day that requires reflection. If you have been following our blog for any length of time, you already know about today. This is Jesse's birthday. This year he is now a 20 year old. He is out making new friends at Wild Island. I know that he is having the time of his life. We love to go to Wild Island, but is is a rather costly outing so we do not get to do it all that often. Jesse will have his birthday party once Jericho gets out of the hospital.
July 10 is also Sandy's birthday. She was my daddy's wife for nearly 20 years before he died almost two years ago. I need to remember to go and send her an e-card.
But the biggest thing for me is that July 10, 23 years ago, my mama died. It is hard to believe that mama has been gone so very long. I think about her often. I miss her really badly sometimes. She was the strongest person that I have ever met in my entire life. She had a strong belief and moral value system. She held herself to very high standards. She would tell you in a second if you had not given her the right amount of change, but at the same time she made sure that you did not get her back too much change and if you did, she returned it to you promptly. She really spent time in her prayer closet and many countless hours on her knees talking to God. She showed us how to believe in God and she set the example.
She showed us that all people were important, no matter their skin color and no matter their so called place in society. She believed in equal rights for everyone. She was way ahead of her time. I sure do miss her.
So today I will say, Happy Birthday Jesse, Happy Birthday Sandy and I miss you mom and I am still thinking of you today and always.
Love to you,
Berta
July 10 is also Sandy's birthday. She was my daddy's wife for nearly 20 years before he died almost two years ago. I need to remember to go and send her an e-card.
But the biggest thing for me is that July 10, 23 years ago, my mama died. It is hard to believe that mama has been gone so very long. I think about her often. I miss her really badly sometimes. She was the strongest person that I have ever met in my entire life. She had a strong belief and moral value system. She held herself to very high standards. She would tell you in a second if you had not given her the right amount of change, but at the same time she made sure that you did not get her back too much change and if you did, she returned it to you promptly. She really spent time in her prayer closet and many countless hours on her knees talking to God. She showed us how to believe in God and she set the example.
She showed us that all people were important, no matter their skin color and no matter their so called place in society. She believed in equal rights for everyone. She was way ahead of her time. I sure do miss her.
So today I will say, Happy Birthday Jesse, Happy Birthday Sandy and I miss you mom and I am still thinking of you today and always.
Love to you,
Berta
Thursday, July 09, 2009
WE ARE BLESSED
We have been through a lot this past week. Merrill and I took the children to family camp. It is a beautiful place way out in the middle of nowhere, NV. It is called Cowboys Rest. You can google it :o)
Anyway, Jericho got really sick. I mean the poor little guy was so sick we took him to ER in Elko. As luck would have it, he was still very sick. So when we got home, we had him directly admitted to Carson Tahoe. I was thinking we were finally on the right trail here. Nope. They had him transferred to Reno's Renown. Here were are, Thursday, and he has had a ton of procedures and then today he finally had a double surgery. He had a fundoplication and a g-button put in. All in all he is doing well.
Now, why are we blessed. To be honest, no matter what I write, I will forget someone or something, so I ask in advance for forgiveness.
We are blessed because so many people stand by our family and believe in our family. While we were gone, Shelley took on the task of putting tile in our downstairs hallway and the boys bathroom. It looks wonderful. Amanda starting painting the boys bathroom and redoing the cabinets. It is a work in progress, but it looks so much better. With their love and support, we are getting a few things that are much needed done to the home. It is a wonderful feeling!!
Merna, Amanda and Marie have been watching the children this week as I have been at the hospital for very long hours every day. Even at the hospitals, we have made friends over the years that look for us, go the extra mile to take care of each of our needs, and make our stay almost enjoyable.
School teachers have called us just to touch base. The church has called to see if Jericho is okay and is there anything that we need.
This path that Merrill and I have traveled with our lives has not been without pain, but the support we have is unreal. Lets be honest, we have been criticized by some that choose not to see our family for what we are....a family. Those poor people just do not get that it is okay to do something a bit different with your life.
Still they pale in comparison to the support and the love we feel from so many. Teri, if you are reading this, you will be so greatly missed as you head back East. You have helped us and been there for us for so many years.
You know, God promised to take care of all of our needs. I believe with all my heart that He has taken great care of us as we try to do our best with the mission He has given Merrill and I. I love the phrase, "To God be the Glory, Great Things He hath done."
Anyway, Jericho got really sick. I mean the poor little guy was so sick we took him to ER in Elko. As luck would have it, he was still very sick. So when we got home, we had him directly admitted to Carson Tahoe. I was thinking we were finally on the right trail here. Nope. They had him transferred to Reno's Renown. Here were are, Thursday, and he has had a ton of procedures and then today he finally had a double surgery. He had a fundoplication and a g-button put in. All in all he is doing well.
Now, why are we blessed. To be honest, no matter what I write, I will forget someone or something, so I ask in advance for forgiveness.
We are blessed because so many people stand by our family and believe in our family. While we were gone, Shelley took on the task of putting tile in our downstairs hallway and the boys bathroom. It looks wonderful. Amanda starting painting the boys bathroom and redoing the cabinets. It is a work in progress, but it looks so much better. With their love and support, we are getting a few things that are much needed done to the home. It is a wonderful feeling!!
Merna, Amanda and Marie have been watching the children this week as I have been at the hospital for very long hours every day. Even at the hospitals, we have made friends over the years that look for us, go the extra mile to take care of each of our needs, and make our stay almost enjoyable.
School teachers have called us just to touch base. The church has called to see if Jericho is okay and is there anything that we need.
This path that Merrill and I have traveled with our lives has not been without pain, but the support we have is unreal. Lets be honest, we have been criticized by some that choose not to see our family for what we are....a family. Those poor people just do not get that it is okay to do something a bit different with your life.
Still they pale in comparison to the support and the love we feel from so many. Teri, if you are reading this, you will be so greatly missed as you head back East. You have helped us and been there for us for so many years.
You know, God promised to take care of all of our needs. I believe with all my heart that He has taken great care of us as we try to do our best with the mission He has given Merrill and I. I love the phrase, "To God be the Glory, Great Things He hath done."
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