Who Are the DeBolts? and Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids?

I was still in high school when I saw "Who Are the DeBolts" on TV, and I'll never get the images out of my head. The child that sticks most in my mind was a lovely Black girl of maybe 8 or 10, with stumps for arms and legs. She could walk and play the marimba with her prosthetics, but she really shone when those prosthetics came off. I can still see her jumping on the bed with her siblings, laughing and so vibrant and alive.

There was nothing sappy or sentimental about "Who Are the DeBolts." Just a family that was a little larger and more diverse than what we're used to. And I think if only for the lesson in valuing diversity, it would be wonderful if this film made a huge comeback.

This is a super-inspiring film made about a very unusual family, the DeBolts. Mr. and Mrs. DeBolt had, as of the making of this film, nineteen kids--most of which were handicapped orphans from around the world and were considered pretty much unadoptable. However, the DeBolts seemed to like the challenge of melding all these kids into an enormous family. Most of the film simply shows the family going through their days. What I particularly liked is that although this appeared to be a close family, the parents were certain NOT to do too much for the kids--encouraging them to do things for themselves regardless of their disabilities.

The film is pretty well made and interesting. It is also a bit sticky sweet, but inspiring as well. Apparently the Academy was quite impressed by the documentary, because it was awarded the Oscar for this category in 1978. Well worth seeing.

By the way, it would be very interesting if a follow-up film was made about the family more than three decades later. The 'kids' are all now independent adults with their own children and I am sure their stories would be worth hearing.