Unsung Heroes: April Houston’s dedication to homesteading and special needs advocacy
In this week's edition of "Unsung Heroes," Neuse News spotlights April Houston, a woman whose journey has spanned from embracing her agricultural roots to stepping forward as an advocate for children with special needs.
Houston recalls her early life on a small homestead, where she engaged in arduous tasks like digging potatoes and cutting corn on the cob. "I swore I was never going to do that," she remarked, referring to her younger self's disdain for such activities.
However, life had other plans. Her second child's medical issues, specifically an inability to consume processed tomato products, forced her to revisit her agricultural roots. "Mama does what Mama has to do," Houston shared, recounting her foray back into gardening.
She began growing tomatoes, which led her to delve deeper into the world of homesteading. "It just grew from there. Literally," Houston quipped.
In addition to discussing her small homestead, Houston spoke about her role as a Guardian ad Litem. This responsibility led her to cross paths with a young girl with profound medical and special needs who was on the brink of becoming a ward of the state.
Overwhelmed by the thought of the child never experiencing genuine affection from someone who wasn't paid to care for her, Houston took a leap of faith. "I couldn't handle it," she said.
She made the monumental decision to welcome the girl into her family, describing the experience as reciprocal in blessings. "People always talk about how much of a blessing we are to her, but she is much more of a blessing to us," Houston reflected.
Beyond her personal life, Houston has been instrumental in serving Lenoir County's special needs community. She is the only certified car seat passenger safety (CPS) practitioner in the county specifically trained to handle children with special needs and special healthcare needs.
Her commitment to the community extends to teaching self-sufficiency through agriculture. For two decades, Houston has led the "Future Homesteaders 4H Club" in Lenoir County. The club underwent a significant transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic as people grappled with shortages and sought greater self-sustainability.
Her advice for individuals wanting to embark on a more self-sufficient journey was simple: "Start a garden. Start small."
In a community filled with unsung heroes, April Houston stands out as a testament to perseverance, love, and the transformative power of giving back.
Dear Neuse News Community,
We believe that every community is built upon the efforts of its unsung heroes – those remarkable individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make our neighborhoods better places to live. That's why we're reaching out to you today. We're looking for your recommendations for individuals right here in our community – who embody the spirit of selflessness and dedication. If you know someone who consistently goes above and beyond to make a positive impact, whether through their acts of kindness, community service, or simply being a beacon of support, we want to hear about them. Help us shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes who inspire us all. Please send in your recommendations so that together, we can acknowledge and celebrate those who make our community truly special.
Warm Regards,
Kristy Kelly
Assistant Publisher, Neuse News
Neuse News is a locally-owned small business startup in downtown Kinston. Our goal is to provide free, hyper-local news to Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties. The kind of news our grandparents read in a format fit for today's times.
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