Susan & Ericha Doubles, Elizabeth Greene

Miracles come in all shapes and sizes -- some big, some small, some are hard to miss, whereas others go completely unnoticed, even when they are standing right in front of the recipient. Jon Bon Jovi once wrote, "Miracles happen every day, change your perception of what a miracle is and you'll see them all around you." Ericha Doubles has been a miracle to her family since the day she was born.

Since the age of two, Ericha has been considered Developmentally Disabled. Although some families may see having a special needs child as a challenge, to her mother, Susan Doubles, her sister, Elizabeth Greene, and the rest of her siblings, Kurt, Chris and Amie, Ericha has never been anything but a blessing. "Ericha is my most favorite person. She checks in on me at least three times a day and is constantly giving me a reality check with her kind ways, and by just being Ericha," Elizabeth said. As if continuing her sentence, the way mothers and daughters do, Susan said, "Growing up, the kids always helped out and included Ericha in everything; she was never left out. When you have a special needs child you see true innocence, purity and love, and it constantly reminds me that I was given a true miracle."

In July 2010, while visiting Amie in Texas, the family was given a devastating blow when Ericha, age 39, suffered a severe stroke, leaving most of the right side of her body paralyzed. She couldn't walk, had no use of her right arm or hand and her speech was greatly impaired. "The first few weeks after [the stroke] were the most frightening; I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. I was afraid her sweet personality was going to be gone. She couldn't even laugh, and she had always been such a giggler," Susan recalled.

For six weeks, Susan and Ericha stayed in Dallas while Ericha worked hard to restore and rebuild her abilities at the Baylor University Rehabilitation Center. Since Amie was close by, she spent much of her time with her mother and sister. Elizabeth also went to visit several times and the three drove back together at the conclusion of six weeks. "Elizabeth is my angel and Amie is my far away angel," Susan said. "That incredible connection between sisters is truly beautiful for a mother to see."

Since the stroke, Ericha's skills and abilities have improved greatly. She now walks with a brace on her right leg, and has learned to do almost everything with her left hand, including writing, coloring and, her favorite hobby, dressing and caring for her baby dolls. She has a huge collection of dolls, all with names and stories of their own, who she takes great care in dressing every morning into their clothes, and every evening into pajamas. "She is so patient and caring, and it is evident in the loving way she takes care of her dolls," Elizabeth said. "It was a horrible thing that happened to her, but her drive and a fighting spirit won't let her give up."

Another character trait that has become extremely evident to her family in the last few years is Ericha's independent will. After the family lost their loving patriarch, Skip, in 2007, it became clear to Susan that Ericha needed to have a place she could call her own. Since 2008, Susan has been working with a group of determined individuals to open Osprey Village, a facility that will provide residential housing for Developmentally Disabled adults in Beaufort County. The group had their first fundraiser last year and will have their second this month (see page 76 for details). "My dream is to live to see Ericha move into her own place. Of course any of the kids would be thrilled to take care of her once I'm gone, but I know she would much rather be in a place of her own. I can't wait to have the whole family come over to her place for dinners; she will be a great hostess," Susan said. "We have been blessed twice now with true miracles of God's love. Life is about loving, learning and caring, and in this season of miracles, she is a constant reminder that God is love."

Up Close:

Favorite family Christmas traditions growing up: "We had a Christmas party every year the 15 years we lived in Rochester, NY. It started off small with only about 25 people, but by the last year, there were over 125 people there! The kids' favorite part was making lifesaver men and ice cream cone ornaments to give to every family that came," Susan said.
Family all around the country: Kurt is currently living in Rochester, NY; Chris is in St. Petersburg, FL; Amie is in Southlake, TX and Elizabeth and Ericha are on Hilton Head Island.
Ericha's favorite part about Christmas is: "Presents and decorating my room!"