The Unbreakable Wyse Family

The family who motivated and inspired me to write a blog about them at the end of last year has now received coverage in this week's issue of People magazine!

Keith and Cheryl Wyse, founders of Agape Family Life House, adopted four girls from China who were born with brittle bones (i.e. osteogenesis imperfecta). The People article shows how these four bright and happy children possess unbreakable spirits, and have also lifted the spirits of everyone around them.

I met them all in July 2012, and I have maintained some contact with Keith since then. 
The family's story moved me so much I go so far as to declare Keith and Cheryl living saints. They rescued these children and have provided them with unconditional love and a higher quality of life.

Here is a sample of their People profile. I bought the magazine today (it has Katie Couric on the cover). The expanded version has more details about the family and extra photos of the kids. It's a very inspiring read. I recommend picking up a copy before they're all gone.

My favourite moment of 2012

Me with Rebeka, Lydia and Rachelle Wyse
(Esther not pictured)

Before 2012 draws to a close, I want to share my favourite moment of the year with you. It happened in Washington last July, during the American conference for people with my physical disability, osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones).

While I was enjoying a Saturday night party at the hotel, I came upon these young pretty girls with OI enjoying cake with a middle-aged couple. When I asked the couple how they all knew each other, they said they were with four of their children adopted from China.

Originally from Illinois, Keith and Cheryl Wyse have lived more than 10 years of their lives in China. They became passionate about establishing a home for orphaned children with OI after adopting twins Rebekah and Rachelle in 2002. I met the twins, and also two of their other adopted daughters, Lydia and Esther. The Wyses have eight children, and of the six adoptees, four of them have OI.

When I met with them again during breakfast the next morning, they talked about a centre they co-founded in China called the Agape Family Life House. The Agape Family Life House is also a Christian ministry that reflects the deep faith shared by the Wyse family. The Wyses want to shine a light to the world by showing that people with OI can be brought up to live long and healthy lives.

The OI Foundation honoured Keith that evening with an award recognizing his efforts to help improve the quality of life for children and youth with OI. After the conference ended, I read more about Agape and the work it has done and continues to do. Though I live in Canada, I want to help the ministry grow any way possible.

The Wyses’ story moved me so much that I seized every opportunity I could to spend time with them and get to know them. Meeting Keith and Cheryl and their four children, and learning about the Agape Family Life House, ranks as my favourite moment of 2012.