Janice had always wanted to adopt, and when their third child—a son they named Azlan—was born with a severe cleft lip and palate and deafness issues, her wish evolved, transforming into a desire to adopt children with special needs. “Azlan completely changed my life,” Janice says. “He changed me.” Their family grew alongside their Melaleuca business. Since enrolling with Melaleuca in 2008, the Walkers have seen their family grow from four children to eleven children, their most recent addition joining their family just this past February. Though Janice insists that she is “really, really ordinary,” one glance will tell you the Walker family is exceptional. Dean and Janice are both stay-at-home parents, they homeschool their eleven children, and devote much of their time to caring for their family, including four children with special needs. On top of all that, they are continually building a thriving Melaleuca business. “I tell people all the time not to put me on a pedestal,” Janice says. “I’m not braver than you. I’m no more able than you. Our story is about being willing.” They say where there’s a will, there’s a way, and Melaleuca has been the way that the Walkers have been able to live such a big life. “Melaleuca has allowed us to live this life and that’s the truth of it,” Janice says. From the 15-passenger van to the supermarket budget to the new 5,000 square-foot home they just built, Melaleuca has helped the Walkers not only provide for their beautiful family but be present for their children around the clock. Every week, the entire family loads up in the van and drives three hours for a 30-minute speech therapy appointment for their son Azlan. During the last adoption process, the agency asked how they planned on transitioning after the adoption when it was time for them to go back to work. Janice proudly explained that she and her husband were home full time and their new daughter would always have access to her parents. “It really hits you when you answer these questions,” Janice says. “We’re present. We’re here. I can’t put a price on that.” Ordinary People, Extraordinary Life
While Janice tells others not to put her on a pedestal, that hasn’t stopped the natural admiration anyone has when looking at their incredible family and the selfless, passionate parents at the head of it. Last year, their family garnered the attention of Congressman Dan Newhouse, who nominated the Walkers for the Angels in Adoption™ award, and in November— National Adoption Month—Dean and Janice were given the award, recognizing their extraordinary contributions to adoption, permanency, and child welfare. Melaleuca Has Given Us Freedom February was quite a landmark month for Janice and Dean. They completed their year-long home construction project, packed up, and moved; Janice came to Idaho Falls to speak at Road to Executive Director; and then they were off to China for several weeks to meet their daughter ZhenAi. Despite taking a month off of their business, they received a commission cheque and a growth bonus. “I think our Melaleuca story is just humbling,” Janice says. “When you look at our life, you probably don’t see freedom, but we do. Who just gets home from China with their eleventh child, does not have to leave her one second of the day, and still makes an incredible income and builds the business around their family? I see freedom. That’s what Melaleuca has given us.” Janice and Dean knew ZhenAi had cerebral palsy and epilepsy. But upon meeting her, they realised her disabilities were more profound than that. At age 12, ZhenAi is nonverbal and likely has delays and challenges yet to be diagnosed. More than that, she’s never received the therapies that could help her reach her
“Melaleuca has allowed us to live this life and that’s the truth of it.”
31 JULY/AUGUST 2016 | MELALEUCA.COM
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