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LAYTON — A Layton couple with experiences in foster care of their own have adopted 15 children out of the Utah foster care system, all of whom have special needs.
Suzanne Larson was a foster child herself, and made the call to dramatically increase the size of her family at 23 years old. She and her husband, Richard Larson, have four biological children along with the 15 children they have adopted.
"I realized we had things and these children didn't have families," Suzanne Larson said. "When you look at a child, how can you place an item you have over the value of the child? So we gave up items to have children."
Her husband has a good job that pays the bills. The 6,500-square-foot house is rarely quiet, and the backyard swing set and playground get quite the workout. But the Larsons said they don't see it as difficult, even with the challenges that come with having more than a dozen children with disabilities.
Because parents dismiss the idea that they want a child with special needs, they never stop to think what it actually means … that it's more normal than not normal.
–Suzanne Larson
While any family this size can be challenging for parents, the Larsons look for small victories, and they find them with patience.
"You don't expect a 2-year-old to remember day to day," Richard Larson said. "You don't expect a 3-year-old to sit at the kitchen table and do his homework."
Dinner outings and camping trips are an adventure, but the Larsons keep on going. Their children have a chance all because two people fell in love with them when no one else would.
"It's moments like that that remind you that these children aren't here to be tested; these children are here to help us be tested," Richard Larson said.
