For (l-r) Trevin, William, Samantha, Heidi, Ella, Kevin, Dawn, and Anita Bohr, the term “family” is one that developed among the eight a little differently from most. With all six adopted children, the tight-knit crew is looking forward to another special Mother’s Day this weekend. (Zakary Kriener photo)
Putting together the pieces of the puzzle
Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com
For most, Mother’s Day is a day that means spending time with the woman who brought a family’s children into the world and helped raise them. For the Bohr family of rural Ossian, that reason for celebration is no different; the way the family eight was established, however, is what makes their story unique
“When I was 10 years old, I was diagnosed with cancer,” stated Heidi Bohr, the proud mother of six. “I underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplants. At one point, I was given only three months to live.”
The determined young girl, who has spent the majority of her life in the Ossian community, was able to beat the odds and make a full recovery from the cancer.
“After my treatment, I asked my doctor if I would ever be able to have kids,” recalled Bohr. “When he told me I likely would not, I said, ‘That’s okay! I will adopt!’ So I knew at the age of 10 that I would adopt.”