THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 11, 1995 TAG: 9501110448
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBRA GORDON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Carrie Christensen has eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren of her own. But she still has time to rock a baby or throw in a load of wash for the child's mother - especially when that mother has quadruplets.
Christensen was one of more than two dozen callers to The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star on Tuesday offering help for Sandy and Tony Taylor, parents of 4-month-old quadruplets.
The Taylors' story was told in an article in Tuesday's Daily Break section. It described their struggle with infertility, the in-vitro fertilization that enabled Sandy to become pregnant with quads, her difficult pregnancy and the months of waiting until all four babies came home from the hospital.
It also told of the Taylors' struggle to care for the babies on Tony's income as a forklift operator and with no immediate family in the area.
That's the image that tugged at Christensen's heart and prompted her to call. ``My New Year's resolution this year was: `Lord, let me help where I can,' '' Christensen said. ``And I thought maybe (Sandy) could use me in some way, one afternoon a week.''
She wasn't alone.
Virginia Beach resident Jimmy Hutchinson, who has no children of his own, said he's sending a $50 check. ``If a woman has four kids, to me she should get all the help she deserves,'' he said.
Sabrina Brown, a postal worker from Virginia Beach who also has no kids, was impressed with the Taylors' decision to refuse a selective ``reduction'' of one or two of the fetuses, which might have ensured a safer pregnancy and delivery.
``It was like a miracle story to me,'' said Brown, who planned to deliver diapers to the Taylors.
The main thing the family needs is time, decided Ann Barrett of Portsmouth. A professional nanny, Barrett offered to baby-sit free of charge one evening or Saturday afternoon so the Taylors could have some time together.
``I know that woman is about to climb the walls,'' Barrett said.
Christine Jones of Virginia Beach said she understood exactly what the Taylors were going through - she was pregnant with triplets two years ago but lost one baby. She has two sets of twins, ages 16 and 2, in addition to a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old.
``If that woman needs any help, I'm more than willing to help her,'' said Jones, who planned to donate a crib, two youth beds and four bags of clothing.
The outpouring of support overwhelmed Sandy Taylor. ``I was really surprised that people were kind enough to call and offer help,'' she said Tuesday. MEMO: Anyone interested in helping the Taylors can call them at 483-3119. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
PAUL AIKEN/Staff
Sandy and Tony Taylor have received a flood of support from
Virginian-Pilot readers to help them care for their 4-month-old
quadruplets. An article in Tuesday's newspaper detailed challenges
facing the couple since the babies were born.
by CNB