Bella's Gift (31 page)
Bella is loved by so many friends!
First row, left to right: Father Julio Rivero and Bella; Tommy Johnson with Bella; Annie Ryland with Bella; Frank Hanna with Bella
Second row, left to right: Mary Katherine and Ellie Twetten and Bella; Father Jerome Fasano and Bella; our builder and family friend Anders Hurd (holding Bella) and assistant Jared Willard (Anders built Bella’s disability bedroom, bathroom, therapy room, and ramps); Anna Fronzaglia with Bella
Third row, left to right: Jennifer Morano (holding Bella) and Father Julio Rivero; Mark, Peter, and Muriel Forrest holding Bella; Ercy and Senora Maria Rodriguez and Bella
Fourth row, left to right: Foster and Lynn Friess (holding Bella); Mark and Katy Ryland with Bella
Bottom row, left to right: Frank, Maura, and Brendan Kelly (holding Bella), Karen and Rick; Donna Blackard and Bella; Father John Mosimann holding Bella
Some of Bella’s Exceptional Caregivers
Top row, left to right: Bella’s nutritionist Robin Cook; Bella’s physical therapist Francie Mitchell; Bella’s pediatrician Dr. James Baugh
Middle row, left to right: Bella’s surgeon Dr. Thane Blinman; Bella’s physical therapist Francie Mitchell
Bottom row: upper and lower left is Bella’s occupational therapist Lynne Ganz; one of Bella’s pulmonologists Dr. Sunil Kapoor; Bella’s registered nurse Erin MacEgan
Top row, left to right: Grandma and Granddad Garver with Bella; standing, left to right: Peter, Daniel, Bella, Elizabeth, Nana Santorum, Sarah Maria, John, Patrick, and PopPop Santorum is sitting
Bottom picture: our family on vacation with Grandma Garver (standing, left to right: Daniel, John, Grandma Garver, Peter, and Patrick; sitting, left to right: Sarah Maria, Rick, Bella, Karen, and Elizabeth)
Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
That’s What Little Bella Is Made Of
Photo courtesy of “Timeless Portraits by Liz,” Sewickley, PA
K
aren Santorum, one of twelve children and a former neonatal intensive care nurse and attorney, received a bachelor of science in nursing from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and worked for several years in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Her juris doctorate degree is from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law where she was a Law Review member. Karen is the author of two books,
Letters to Gabriel
and
Everyday Graces: A Child’s Book of Good Manners
. Karen and her husband of almost twenty-five years, Rick, are the parents of eight children: Elizabeth, John, Daniel,
Gabriel, Sarah Maria, Peter, Patrick, and Isabella. Her greatest role and love in life is being a full-time mother at home. According to Karen, “There is no greater joy in life than to be a mother. It is the most important job I will ever have.”
Rick Santorum, a native of Pennsylvania, was a candidate for the Republican nomination for president of the United States in 2012. He served in the House of Representatives from 1991 to 1995 and in the Senate from 1995 to 2007 and is the author of several books, including the 2005
New York Times
bestseller
It Takes a Family
. Rick’s most important role and love in life is being a husband and father.
Elizabeth Santorum graduated
magna cum laude
from the University of Dallas. During the 2012 Republican presidential primary, she spent a year campaigning across the nation on behalf of her father, Senator Rick Santorum. Appearing on CNN, Fox News, NBC, and many other news outlets at twenty years old, she became one of the campaign’s most requested speakers. Elizabeth has spent time doing mission work in Uganda, is currently a John Jay Fellow, and has always been a great big sister.
