If you had no arms or legs, a 19-step staircase would look like a mountain, but Karen DeBolt, born without arms or legs, made it up that staircase. So did Sunee, paralyzed by polio, Twe, a blind war orphan from Vietnam, J.R., blind and paralyzed from spina bifida and all the other children in the DeBolt’s large family made it up the mountain.

In addition to their six biological children, the remarkable Bob and Dorothy DeBolt adopted or had legal guardianship of thirteen other children, many severely disabled, others damaged by war. The children benefited from a loving, happy home where self-reliance and hard work were valued and self-pity had no place. As Bob said, “We can be tough. We find that it pays off. The child develops into a more competent, confident, capable human being.” 19 Steps Up the Mountain is a joyful, life-affirming book that renews your faith in humanity (yes, it’s that good!). A great companion is the award-winning documentary Who Are the DeBolts? And Why Do They Have Nineteen Kids?