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A Great Love, A Great Challenge

Gail Ertel struggles to pay for her own medical bills and those of her great granddaughter, McKenzie, who suffers from autism, virtual blindness, and a number of other disorders. Ertel, who is in her 60's, refuses to give up on McKenzie and the girl has made tremendous strides under her great grandmother's care.

Gail Ertel holding her great granddaughter, 7-year-old McKenzie Campbell, who suffers from autism as well as a number of other disorders. Ertel has been McKenzie's sole provider since she was three weeks old.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Though caring for McKenzie can be taxing, Ertel isn't the type to give up. "I will never stop hoping, I will never stop praying, and I will never stop teaching and trying to reach her" Ertel said.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

McKenzie, who is virtually blind, autistic and has numerous other disabilities, sometimes pauses and seems to enter a world of her own at her home in Woodbridge, Va.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Ertel tries to catch toys from falling as McKenzie pulls over a table at their home in Woodbridge.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

McKenzie, who cannot communicate using normal verbal communication word, will sometimes throw a tantrum when she's not understood.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

When McKenzie was two weeks old, Ertel said her granddaughter asked her to watch the girl.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Ertel says schools have trouble coping with a little girl who has so many disabilities, leaving the girl in homeschooling programs since last November.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

The steady back-and-forth motion of the swing soothes McKenzie, who is easily roused into tantrums.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Ertel, who gives her age as "in my 60's, ignores McKenzie's hair pulls. Gail is "a remarkable woman and does a great job with almost nothing," said Kelli Castellino, who manages the office where McKenzie gets occupational therapy.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

McKenzie plays with her toy harp at home. The music the toy plays, soothes her.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Ertel tries to get McKenzie to pick up a chair that the little girl has knocked over at their home in Woodbridge, Va.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

McKenzie cries when she has to get out of the bathtub as her great grandmother dries her off.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

There are other moments when the family members interact in a soothing, loving manner.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Ertel is reflected in the window of her car as McKenzie waits for the two to head home after her baseball game in Woodbridge, Va.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

McKenzie joined a baseball league for children with special needs in early June. She so charmed the coach that he carried her around the bases.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

McKenzie is held by her coach during a baseball game in Woodbridge. McKenzie requires constant supervision.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

McKenzie samples the texture of a baseball during a game in Woodbridge.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

McKenzie walks alongside her couch at the baseball field in Woodbridge.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Gallery Credits:
Photo Editors Steve Cook, Chris Dunn Producer Chris Dunn

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This Story A Devotion That Spans Generations Article \| For Gail Ertel, who has 11 grown children, the golden years are all about McKenzie. She changes her diapers. Picks up her dropped toys and spilled cereal. Reads from her favorite storybooks. Sings as she sways the child in her mesh cocoon of a swing. A National Snapshot A Great Love, A Great Challenge A Great-Grandmother's Love		TOOLBOX E-Mail This Save/Share + Digg Facebook Reddit Twitter myspace del.icio.us NewsTrust Stumble It! COMMENT 0 Comments Your browser's settings may be preventing you from commenting on and viewing comments about this item. See instructions for fixing the problem. Discussion Policy CLOSE Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post. Who's Blogging » Links to this gallery		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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