Photo by Marni Rothschild Durlach

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Six children (including three adopted with special needs), two grandchildren, Robin’s father with Alzheimer’s, 20-some foster children over the years, a herd of goats, a flock of chickens, a fold of sheep, a whatever of rabbits, an autism service dog. Whew, life’s busy for this Awendaw family, but “we couldn’t be more blessed,” says Robin, a recently appointed member of the federal Medicaid and CHIP Payment Access Commission. She’s using her savvy in advocating for medically fragile kids to help families across the country.

Robin: “I impulsively jump in with both feet, then Doug steps in with the safety net. I hate housework; he’s the better cook, the better parent. He makes it work.”

Doug: “She’s the anchor of my life. We married young, and she reined me in, and I thank her for that every day.”