Spring 2010


Salinna with her new nephew, Lucas James Pio, born March 19th 2010

Who's Who around Epiphany House:
Kathie and Dexter Lanctot, co-founders of Epiphany House Inc are adoptive parents to Daniel Lanctot Grishkin, age17; Soonthtvong aka Sonty Lanctot, age 16; Sokha aka Suky Lanctot, age 14; Ebony Lanctot, age 11; Salinna Lanctot, age 10; Rosalina Therese, 10 months. In addition, birth family members, Dennis and Kathy McCunney and their children Nora Catherine McCunney, age 6 and Anna Claire McCunney, 3; Liam Robert McCunney, 1.5 years; Courtney and Lauren McCunney, Kelly and Jim Pio and their first child Lucas James newborn; Patrick, Danny and Kevin McCunney. Patrick’s girlfriend, Madeline; Kevin's girlfriend, Theresa. We also include, Fredrica Gwyan with us from 2007 till Summer 2009, Nicky O’Keeffe 18, for whom we are legal guardian; Salinna's home nurse, Joanne Peele. Our pets include dogs, Pit Bull, Nellie; and Chihuahua, Tinker Bell; cat, Oliver; Two Turtles, a Cockatiel, Sydney. We do frequent respite care for Kelly and Jim's pooch, Gunther.

Fredrica Gwyan, 19
Fredrica first joined Epiphany House as an intern with the Building with Books organization in summer of 2007. In October 2007, she joined our family as a houseguest at the age of 16. Fredrica remained active with BWB and went on a volunteer trip to Central America in the summer of 2008. Fredrica is an active member of The Church of Latter Day Saints. Fredrica completed her high school studies in January and graduated from Upper Darby High School in June, 2009. She is in her second semester at college at Southern Utah University.

Daniel, 17
Daniel is in his junior year at Upper Darby HS. Daniel has consistently achieved distinguished honors in high school. This summer Daniel advanced to his red belt in Tae Kwon Do and begun jiu-jitsus classes. During the summer he taught martial arts to children on staff as a counselor at Camp Cheng, in Upper Darby, PA. and has won several Grand Championships as a member of Team Cheng. He is worked part time in landscaping. In July, Daniel traveled to Rutland, Vermont on a youth mission trip with Lima Methodist youth group. He is currently active with Lima Methodist youth group. He is on distinguished honor roll at Upper Darby HS.

Sonty, 16
In January 2009, Sonty rejoined the Philadelphia Boy’s Choir and Chorale as a chorale member. This past summer he traveled on the PBCC goodwill tour to Argentina and Uruguay. In summer of 2010 Sonty plans to travel to China with PBBC. Sonty is a sophomore at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia. During the past summer he worked part time as a pool attendant, and practiced with the football team.

Suky, 14
Suky continues to progress in equestrian riding lessons with Rae Guthrie, in West Chester, PA. She takes piano lessons with Mrs. Steele in Lansdowne, PA. Suky plays soccer for St. Philomena CYO and is in 8th grade at St. Philomena School in Lansdowne. This summer participated in Merion Mercy summer program and performed with Rising Stars in the locally acclaimed Summer Stage program at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. She is currently enrolled in Merion Mercy Saturday Academy.

Ebony, 11
Ebony, aka “Miss Boo‘, continues to excel in her classes at Hillcrest School in Drexel Hill, PA. Ebony also rides horses at Rae’s. Ebony works diligently as the Epiphany House in resident artist creating beautiful, colorful and uplifting card designs. She specializes lately in heart, floral and star designs. This past summer Ebony attended Camp Friendship at Upper Darby High School. She loves carnivals, amusement rides and dreams one day of going to Disney World.

Salinna, 10
Salinna attends the George Crother’s Memorial School in Swarthmore, PA. Salinna is excited that she is approved by the Make a Wish foundation for a Snoezelen equipped room. This summer she is spearheaded Salinna’s adventure to raise money needed to renovate the space for the Snoezelen equipment. Salinna sent laminated photos of herself nationally and internationally to seek sponsorships for the room renovation. She looks forward to sharing her room with other special needs individuals who may benefit. (For further info see Salinna’s Summer Adventure). This summer she won the smile award at her summer program. In the fall the summer adventure will evolve as the adventure continues.

Rosalina Therese, 10 months
Aka “Rosey” or “Rose“. Rosey has multiple medical needs. Rosey spent her first weeks of life diligently training her family as to what she expects of them. She loves her babas, kangaroo pouch, vibrating chairs and riding in the car. In July, Rosey spent 12 days in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with a diagnosis of diabetes insipidus. Rosey is making excellent gains with the support of early intervention PT and vision therapy. She is “talking, laughing and smiling frequently". Very engaging.

Nicky O'Keeffe, 19
During the summer we finalized court proceedings making us Nicky’s legal guardians. Nicky resides at Voorhees pediatric Facility in Voorhees NJ. The staff at Voorhees loves him. Nicky enjoys music therapy, sensory equipment, babies, and television and day trips.

MARCH 2010 Journal

1....Stomach bug attacks family. Sonty and Ebony first victims. Heart Gallery Committee meets to plan April event at Plymouth Meeting Mall.

3...Rosey adoption finalized in Norristown. Tummy bug spreads but spares Rosey so far.

5...Danny gets a new front tooth to replace the one Tinker Bell chewed up last month during the Super Bowl. Suky and friends go to St. Kevin's dance.

6...Happy B Day, Dexter. While on an errand to CVS a tipsy leprechaun from Casey's Pub jumps into Dexter's car and pays him $25 to drive him down the road. Not the pot of gold we need but it covered the CVS expenses.

Sonty breaks out in hives. Kevin takes Patrick for a plane ride. Jim Pio states, "If Sonty and Mary ever get married I'll personally tear off my left arm and let Danny beat me with it."

7. Kevin comes in with chocolate donut all over his elbo. It was from old donut, he'd forgotten about, in his car.

8...Sonty's 16th birthday. He takes cupcakes to school. Suky taking jewelry making classes; plans to start a little business w a friend.

10...Ebony now taking Karate lessons. She gets Shamrock shake from McD's for "doing a good job."

Sonty goes to 76ers game tonight.

11...Suky, Sonty, Dad go to Tim Burton movie, "Alice in Wonderland."

12...Dexter and Kevin pick up a donated washer and dryer. Suky works at her 8th grade penny party at St. Philomena School. Kathie, Dexter, Danny attend. Dexter wins a gardening basket. Rosey recovering from a virus and now has a rash.

13...N'oreaster floods the basement! Dexter gets plenty of use of new umbrella Patrick gave him as bd gift.

14....St Patrick's Day Parade!

15...Ebony takes long, long shower and uses up all the hot water. Et tu Ebony?

17... St. Patrick's Day. Kelly sent to hospital after baby Dr. Appt.

18... Kelly in labor; today is Daniel's day in the baby birth betting pool.

19... St Joseph's Day. Lucas James Pio arrives at 12:28AM looking like E.T. the extra terrestrial. Suky wins betting pool $83.00 jackpot.

20...First day of Spring. free water ice at Rita's Water Ice.

21...While we are dog sitting Jim and Kelly's Gunther, he chews up the plug on the pump cord.

22... Baby Rosey, very fussy, keeps her parents up all night. Baby Lucas comes home today.

24...Ebony's Spring Concert. She and her classmates perform Blue Danube on kazoos. Salinna wins her class Easter Egg Hunt.