We Climbed Every Mountain

Don & Bonnie Peterson were both born with cerebral palsy; at a time when little was known about this condition. Don spent the first 14 years of his life in and out of hospitals undergoing surgeries the medical profession thought "e;might"e; correct his deformities. Bonnie progressed through the public school system with her own set of challenges since public education for the disabled was not a common occurrence during the 50s and 60s. Don and Bonnie both went on to college. A mutual friend insisted they meet each other and two years later they were married. Don worked as a tax examiner for I.R.S. for 30 years and Bonnie started a secretarial service to help with the family income. They raised two fine boys and now enjoy the blessings of 9 grandchildren. Even though cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition, Don's physical condition deteriorate over the last 15-20 years of his life till by the time he passed away (December 2011) he was unable to do anything for himself; he was fed through a feeding tube, was on oxygen 24 hours a day and had a tracheotomy for suctioning. Bonnie did most all of Don's care up until about a year before his death when the 24/7 schedule became more than any one person could do. But together they climbed and conquered every mountain.