THE AMBASSADORS
Down Syndrome Supplement
THE AMBASSADORS
Down
Syndrome Supplement
FEATURE
Volume 2, Issue 2
April 1999
Camille Geraldi's Family:
An Unsual Love Story from Miami
Thank you Cupid, you did an excellent job!
Very few love stories have had such a lasting effect on a single community as that of Camille and Mike. You better not be mistaken, because Camille is definitely not a hapless romantic. The heart-warming love story started in Florida in 1973 at the Variety Children Hospital when the overweight pediatric nurse, Camille, charmed the heart of.a "cute" Italian pediatric intern, Dr. Michael. Her soft caress and gentle care-giving for a terminally ill and malformed infant, showed her committment, determination and humanistic concern. Mike was lovestruck! He said to her after proposing, "I don't see your weight, Camille. You just need a big body to hold that big heart of yours."
Now, twenty-five years since that time, the couple are happily married and reside in three nearby houses in a Miami suburb. With enough children to fill three whole houses, compared to most families, Camille and Mike's household is by all means unusual!!
Meet the Geraldis
Along with Camille and Mike, live their two biological daughters, Rene and Jaclyn, more than thirty-one adopted handicapped children, six adults with special needs, nine live-in staff and, and more than three hundred and fifty volunteers. At the Geraldis, there is enough love to go around!
Along with all the commotion, the family expenditure is at the astronomical figure of $264,000 annually. The family expenditures in a single month is more than $22,000 including $1,800 electricity and $1,200 for diapers. The Geraldis consume 18 gallons of milk, and 12 large pizzas weekely. Each frozen food order includes 12 packages of brocolli, 36 beef patties, 20 bags of meatballs, and 35 package of hotdogs!!
Camille's
Children: Thirty One Miracles and Counting
All those looking for love will find Camille and Mike's romance a heart-warming experience. They are invited to read a story of true loving sentiment among a family of adoptive parents, adopted children, and the unusual American family. The story is told by Camille Geraldi herself along with Carol Burris in the book Camille's Children: Thirty One Miracles and Counting, published in 1996 in Kansas City by Andrews and McMeel.
Lesley Stohl, the program producer for the Sunday TV show 60 minutes, said, "If there are times when you are despirited and your soul needs a little jolt or joy, read Camille's children. The book reminds me so much of time I spent with Camille and her family with Down Syndrome children. Camille lifts you up and reminds you there is indeed goodness in this world."
Camille asserts that her 208-page (20 chapter) book is not the story of more than 31 sick adopted children some of whom are seriously ill and handicapped with autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, facial clefting, hypothyroidism, monosomy 9 (Alfi Syndrome), neurological disorders etc. Neither is it about the activities of Geraldis' Up With Down Syndrome Association in Florida. Instead, the book is about parenting babies and children with special needs. The authors tell the story of every member of this unusual American family, and the secret behind their unconditional love. Interestingly, each adopted child needs more than $6,000 as legal costs for adoption.
Camille's "Big Heart"
But dont be mistaken, Camille and Mike's homes are not dormitories for their ailed babies and children, nor are they care-giving institutions for the diseased.
"I always keep a new baby with me every moment for the first six months to make sure we bond. Having a second child does not divide and diminish a mother's love, a way mathematician divides and reduces his numbers. Love is not a pound of meat that can be weighed or a truckload of bricks that can be counted. Love is not finite and measurable or bound by logical rule. Love is illogical and irrational. It is bottomless. There is plenty to go around whether there are two children or thirty-one," said the adoptive mother and big-hearted nurse.
In the introduction, her co-author mentioned, "Camille applies her philosophy of love and discipline to all children. She says there is nothing unusual in what she does. In her eyes, raising these children does not make her special. It simply makes her a human being."
The Epilogue
But the lives of Camille's babies and children haven't been easy rides. Jo-layne and Matthew have both survived a dozen surgeries between them. Camille's youngest, Donovan, a two-month old has survived four major surgeries with all his problems. Nonetheless, its Camille's relentless loving care that has pushed her children over their hurdles, and created brighter days for them all. Kellie-Ann and Adelle are happy and healthy at home after long hospital stays. Many are going on to lead joyful and successful lives, such as Champ who is leaving to read and Karely who continually dazzles everyone with her perfect speeches. Even Donovan, Camille believes he is "another fighter."
"We are confident that he will flourish like the others. He improves our lives without even trying....he promises to be as challenging as the others."
With a family that nearly doubled in size, Camille says she now has 40 miracles that inspire her life.
"While our family has grown larger, our faith has grown stronger and loving share has seen us through many difficulties." The secret to their love story, Camille stresses is to "always think of the children first and never stop reaching for your dreams."
The Ambassadors invites all who share our dream of a prosperous 21st century for those with special needs to read Camille's inspiring and insightful book, a dazzling model of love's creativity.
