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exceptional women
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
343SuiteB• N.MainSt.
,
Gresham
In the loft directly across fromWildwood Cafe
418734.EW0413
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503.489.0334.
Price good through 6/15/2013
Free Spirit Massage
Sherrie Mccann LMT #11805
Couples Foot Detox
w/Champagne
& Yummy Treat!
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35
Remember Mother’s Day
& Father’s Day!
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By EVAN JENSEN
Pamplin Media Group
W
ith nine young children at home, Gresham resi-
dent Vivienne Lewis wanted to be a good mother.
But it wasn’t easy. The crippling symptoms of po-
lio she suffered as a child mysteriously returned
when she was an adult.
She struggled to send the kids off to school.
She spent her days in pain on the couch. At night, she
crawled from room to room to tuck the kids into bed. And she
prayed for a miracle.
“At the age of 3, I was paralyzed with polio,” said Lewis, 61.
“I went through numerous surgeries and physical therapy. I
wore an iron brace for a number of years. Fortunately, I re-
gained my ability to walk and carry on a normal lifestyle. I al-
ways wanted to have a large family, but I didn’t know if I would
be able to after having polio.”
Doctors never did determine why Lewis suffered post-polio
syndrome decades after recovering from the virus that killed
more than 600,000 people and crippled thousands more in the
late 1940s and early 1950s.
Fortunately, Lewis recovered again after months of following
a carefully planned nutrition program. She considers surviv-
ing polio and raising nine children with her husband, Crismon
Lewis, some of her greatest successes. But her guiding influ-
ence and motherly love extends far beyond her own family.
Lewis recently was named Oregon Mother of the Year by
the Oregon Mothers Association of American Mothers Inc. She
joins a long line of accomplished mothers recognized by Amer-
ican Mothers Inc. dating back to the organization’s origin in
1935. The honor recognizes Lewis for her contributions to the
future success and happiness of children and society.
“She is an amazing mother,” Oregon Mothers Association
Board Member Michele Watts said. Watts lives in Sandy and
served as Oregon Mother of the Year in 2009. “Vivienne has al-
ways made motherhood a very high priority. I know she will do
a marvelous job as Oregon Mother of the Year. She’s very de-
serving of the honor.”
Lewis attended the American Mothers convention in New
York City April 25-27, and was among the 50 finalists for the
American Mother of the Year award. In May, she will address
the Oregon Legislature, and she will speak at The Grotto in
Northeast Portland on Mother’s Day. She also will participate
in community events and share her wisdom and wit learned
from having kids in the home continuously for the last 36
years.
“This is a great opportunity to reach out, teach and honor
mothers,” Lewis said. “Mothers need encouragement. They
need recognition, and they need to know they’re not alone. A
lot of mothers struggle with discouragement and heartache.
But they’re such a vital role in raising children and making a
difference in the community. They
make meals, clean up, do laundry,
clean the house, and start all over the
next day. And we need to do more to
recognize that those small and simple
things build security, trust and consis-
tency in the lives of children.”
Lewis hasn’t yet decided on a spe-
cific cause to represent during her
time as Oregon Mother of the Year.
But her personal journey with post-
partum depression and surviving her
bout with Post-Polio Syndrome as an
adult provide her with a unique per-
spective for overcoming adversity.
And she says her faith in God and
membership in The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints is what has
helped her most with her personal
challenges and responsibilities as a
mother.
“I think this is an opportunity for
me to really help mothers who are go-
ing through challenges,” Lewis said.
“I know sometimes mothers have to
face things that they didn’t expect.
Health challenges. Loss of a spouse.
Or some kind of tragedy in their lives.
I want to encourage mothers and let
them know they can overcome chal-
lenges and still be good moms.”
Lewis was handpicked by the Ore-
gon Mother’s Association after an
extensive nomination and interview
process with dozens of candidates.
She was one of four finalists inter-
viewed by Oregon Mothers Associa-
tion board members. Her life experi-
ences, volunteer service, accom-
plishments as a small business own-
er, and years of motherhood cap-
tured the hearts of the judges for
the honor.
“She has a wonderful capacity to love,” said Vivienne’s hus-
band, Crismon Lewis. “All our children are endeared to her, be-
cause she gave them her heart. And that continues today even
though all our kids are on their own now. She’s literally given
her all to raising our nine children, and she’s always made our
life happy. I love her so much, and it’s exciting to see her be
honored as Oregon Mother of the Year.”
n
Gresham resident named
Oregon Mother of the Year
Vivienne Lewis: Mother knows best
Gresham
resident
Vivienne Lewis,
left, was
recently named
Oregon Mother
of the Year. She
will attend the
American
Mothers Inc.
national
convention
later this
month for a
chance to be
named
American
Mother of the
Year. Lewis has
been married
to her husband,
Crismon Lewis,
for 38 years.
They have nine
children and 21
grandchildren.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO