Mark and Pam Carter may have been doubted at first. Close to four years ago, the couple decided to fulfill a mutual lifelong dream of starting a family; a dream that was often discouraged due to the couple's physical disabilities.
Jennifier Meyers / The Citizen
Mark Carter tosses son Angelo, 3, into the air during the Shrimps swimming lessons at the Auburn YMCA. The Carters have found a lot of encouragement through those they have met at the YMCA. “A lot of people come up and say ‘Boy Mark, you and Pam are doing a great job,#'” said Mark, who has been attending swimming lessons with his son since the boy was 6 months old.
Mark Carter tosses son Angelo, 3, into the air during the Shrimps swimming lessons at the Auburn YMCA. The Carters have found a lot of encouragement through those they have met at the YMCA. “A lot of people come up and say ‘Boy Mark, you and Pam are doing a great job,#'” said Mark, who has been attending swimming lessons with his son since the boy was 6 months old.
As a teenager, Mark spent upwards of 10 years recovering from a traumatic brain injury after almost dying in a head-on collision that claimed the lives of his mother and younger brother in 1980. The accident left Mark, originally from New Hampshire, with a slightly off-balanced right side as well as minor reflex and speech problems. His wife, Pam, who was born with cerebral palsy, has difficulty with mobility in one hand, a small limp that requires use of a wheelchair for long distances and speech difficulties.
Despite these setbacks and concerns from those around them, the couple began planning their future together shortly after meeting online in 2001. After attempting to live out of state with Mark in New Hampshire, the pair returned closer to Pam's hometown, Weedsport, to live in Auburn where public transportation, which they rely on, is more readily available.
Then three years after meeting, their son, Angelo Edward Carter, entered the world.
The Carters continue to find happiness in the day-to-day challenges of raising a child. Early on, Mark and Pam felt they needed to be more careful than other parents when in public with their son. Although they feel people will always question their ability to raise a child, the opinions of others no longer bother them. The family receives support from Social Security Disability Insurance and were able to buy a home thanks to an inheritance from Mark's father.
“We have the same issues as every other parent. I really don't care anymore. Look at him, he's perfect,” says Mark of his son.
Angelo thrives as a healthy 3-year-old while Mark and Pam are enjoying the ride and looking forward to the future.
For a three-page photo essay on the Carters, pick up a print edition of The Citizen.
Despite these setbacks and concerns from those around them, the couple began planning their future together shortly after meeting online in 2001. After attempting to live out of state with Mark in New Hampshire, the pair returned closer to Pam's hometown, Weedsport, to live in Auburn where public transportation, which they rely on, is more readily available.
Then three years after meeting, their son, Angelo Edward Carter, entered the world.
The Carters continue to find happiness in the day-to-day challenges of raising a child. Early on, Mark and Pam felt they needed to be more careful than other parents when in public with their son. Although they feel people will always question their ability to raise a child, the opinions of others no longer bother them. The family receives support from Social Security Disability Insurance and were able to buy a home thanks to an inheritance from Mark's father.
“We have the same issues as every other parent. I really don't care anymore. Look at him, he's perfect,” says Mark of his son.
Angelo thrives as a healthy 3-year-old while Mark and Pam are enjoying the ride and looking forward to the future.
For a three-page photo essay on the Carters, pick up a print edition of The Citizen.
