Bayer US - April 15th, 2021

As we started down that amazing road, we found ourselves drawn to China. Elli, our

first adopted child, joined us in February of 2007, and we never really looked back. The incredible blessings that came to our entire family through this sweet little girl inspired us to continue with more adoptions. Graci, Xander, Lexi, Sophi, Cali and Conner entered our home at a rate of about one child per year. It is pretty much impossible to express how grateful I am for this multi-cultural and multi-abled family of ours. We have wheelchairs and white canes. We’ve been through dozens of surgeries, big and small. We’ve experienced the beauty and heartache of autism. Sophi, our youngest, more than compensates for her lack of arms with her spunk and tenacity, not to mention her ability to do pretty much anything with her talented toes. Seeing all of our children work together to help, lift and support each other on a daily basis has given me an incredible perspective on how powerfully we can bless each other’s lives when we are willing to serve.

Perhaps my favorite example of this teamwork and camaraderie is the way Lexi and Sophi work together. Lexi is 16 and Sophi is 12. They are the only two children who were adopted during the same trip to China (in 2010), and they forged a bond that is unbreakable to this day. Lexi has been completely blind since birth. Sophi was born without arms.

So working together, Sophi is the eyes and Lexi is the hands. For breakfast in the morning they will peruse the pantry and the fridge. Sophi tells Lexi what options are available, Lexi chooses what she wants, Sophi talks Lexi through reaching the right items and they work together to pour cereal or fry eggs or whatever they choose that day. Getting out of the car to go to school, Lexi will put her hand on Sophi’s shoulder, Sophi guides Lexi to the door, and Lexi will open it for the two of them. These are just a couple of examples of the many ways our kids teach me every day.

 I’ve been working for Bayer since 2009 and feel so grateful to have been a part of this great company for the past 12 years. From the moment I was hired, which was shortly before a 2-week adoption trip, I have felt so supported. From adoption reimbursement to parental leave to the love and genuine interest I have felt from co-workers and management, Bayer has truly felt like an extended family to me. This has been more evident than ever through the challenges of the current pandemic. I am proud to contribute to Bayer’s vision of “Health for All, Hunger for None.” Bayer not only cares about me both as an employee and in my roles outside of work but is also striving to make life better for people throughout the world. These are some of the reasons why I love working at Bayer!