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Home - Local News Sports Obituaries Editorial Social Archives |
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Social - May 2002 |
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Patience, planning payoff for active mother Mom times 4 By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer May 10, 2002 - Lori Ann Fortkort says patience is her key to success as a mother of four. But her day planner is definitely an important tool in her job. “Every day has got something on it,” she says. Forkort, who once worked for the government, says she chose a new career after her fourth child was born. On tax forms and various applications she now lists “mom” on the line for employment. “I always put mother, and they always scratch it off and put homemaker. It’s a full-time job, making sure you have everyone’s schedules going.” As a family planner, she balances schedules for her husband, Dr. Peter Fortkort; daughter, Lauren, 13; and three sons, Jake, 11, Albert, 9 and Joey, 4. Lori Ann’s day begins at 6 a.m. when she wakes to make breakfast for the family, cats and dog, and lunches to take to school. After everyone is dressed, it’s time to make the rounds to Lincolnton Middle School, Battleground Elementary and First Presbyterian Preschool. “It’s all in the timing,” the slender, freckle-faced 40-year-old says. But sometimes not even good timing can make things go off without a hitch. Lori Ann laughingly remembers recently when one of her sons made it to school without his shoes. To avoid a tardy mark for her son, she sent him to class in sock-feet while she went home to get the sneakers. In addition to savvy scheduling, Lori Ann faces another challenge each day: her sons, Albert and Jake, are both autistic — a disorder that affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills. Therapy, tutoring and life skills lessons are added to the calendar. But Lori Ann says there are some blessings to be counted with her two challenged sons. “It teaches you to treasure the little things that you normally wouldn’t think about.” The experienced mother also praises the community for helping her to be a good mother. “Sometimes when you least expect, people will lend a hand.” The family has lived in Denver, Williamsburg, Va. and Washington, D.C. But Lori Ann thinks they’ve found home in Lincolnton. “This is what the family needs, a small town where people know each other.” With all of her community involvement, knowing people is not a problem for Lori Ann. She is on the PTA at both the elementary and the middle schools, an assistant Girl Scout leader in Denver, secretary on the board of directors for Special Olympics, a swim coach for Special Olympics, co-coordinator for Structured Athletics for Challenged Children and assistant swim coach at Verdict Ridge during the summer. Lori Ann says her busy schedule keeps car moving and her home a little less than the epitome of order. “Toys are everywhere. Dishes are half done. Laundry is half done.” She says everything is added to the list of priorities, and sometimes playing dinosaurs with Joey on the kitchen floor is more important than cleaning it. The house will be clean when the children grow up, she jokes. Once the children are tucked in, the dishes do get done. Then Lori Ann can take a moment to look at her calendar and see what’s coming for tomorrow. But she admits it’s the unscheduled events that make life as a mom interesting. “Every day’s an adventure.”
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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