A Family Story

Anastasia’s journey unfolds as she meets Bill during a flight from Germany to the USA. Initially friends,
their relationship blossoms into love, resulting in a marriage that has lasted 20 years, with Anastasia choosing the USA as her home. Bill, 23 years older than Anastasia, faces challenges with brittle bone disease,
confining him to a wheelchair and a 50% chance of heredity.

Their family includes Lillian, 19, who inherited brittle bones, and Anna Lena, 17, without the condition. The family expands through adoption: Elliot and Luca, 11 and 13, join from families with drug-addicted parents.
In 2020, Levi entered the family, first as a foster child at two days old, later adopted.

Residing in Roseville, California, with three dogs and two cats, including Lillian’s assistance dog, October, the family supports Lillian through 14 surgeries due to fragile bones. Bill’s early retirement involves school transportation, while Anastasia, graduating from nursing school in 2018, manages household tasks.

Despite considering themselves a “special family,” they navigate life normally, embracing love, laughter, and open discussions about adoption and disabilities. Living with societal stares and comments, they desire visibility without being objects of fascination. Their summers at “Camp Attitude” in Portland provide a supportive community, encapsulating the extraordinary and ordinary aspects of their lives.