Black Forest Woman Adopts 15 Special Needs Children

A woman with a calling.

KRDO NewsChannel13 spoke to Jackie Washburn on Monday about her adoption of two children with shaken baby syndrome, but there is much more to her life and love of children.

The former special education teacher has one full Black Forest home.

?They really need, need, need people to love them,? said Washburn of her children.

She has two biological children and has adopted 15 special needs children in her life, and shared family photos of all of them. One large group picture shows some of the boys at church wearing matching outfits.

?We are all given gifts. No gift is better than the other. My gift is caring for children many people cannot care for,? said Washburn.

Washburn has adopted her children through Adoption Exchange based in Colorado, and said she is an advocate of adoption.

?You don’t need a fancy house. I don’t have dishes that match. I eat a lot of frozen foods and burritos. You just have to have the desire to parent a child,? said Washburn.

Washburn is in her early 60s and more full of energy than any 20-year-old, but said it’s time to enjoy the love in her home now, and leave any more adoptions to others in the community.