WORDS: Amy Bell
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
If you ever have a chance to meet Virginia (Gini) White, you might assume she’s an angel on earth. Over the last 39 years, Gini has fostered more than 300 children, most with severe medical needs. She has adopted three of her foster children and is in the process of adopting a fourth. Gini is also the proud mother of three biological adult sons.
What inspires her to open her heart and home to so many kids? Gini says it comes down to a love of children. “I was the oldest of four, and my entire life, I always loved kids,” she explains.
In the early 1980s, Gini saw a local TV ad pleading for foster parents in Manatee County. “I called the number, and they said they were having a meeting where I could learn more,” she says. After attending the meeting, Gini decided she wanted to be a foster parent. “I literally got my first call for a placement before I even had my license,” she laughs. “They said not to worry; the license was in the mail.”
The Long Road to Medical Foster Care
Although Gini started off as a traditional foster parent, she took in babies suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)—a withdrawal condition in babies born to mothers who use drugs. “Nobody knew what to do with these babies, and they all cried all the time,” says Gini. “Then they determined these babies needed to be on apnea monitors because they felt their SIDS risk was higher. At that time, a lot of the foster moms said they didn’t want to deal with monitors.”
But not Gini. “I said, ‘If there’s something I can do to make sure these high-risk babies are okay, teach me,’” she recalls. “So, that started the ball rolling when they realized I was willing to learn new things. It just progressed with kids with more needs from there.”
By 1994, Gini was taking all of the local foster children who required monitors, oxygen, or other medical machines. At the time, Medical Foster Care (MFC), a specialized program sponsored by Children’s Medical Services (CMS), had plans to expand into Manatee and Sarasota counties. Gini immediately signed up for the class to receive her license.
Unfortunately, funding for the program was cut. “They called and said they weren’t going to be expanding into this area,” she says. “I asked if I could take the class anyway for training if nothing else. So, I did—and I felt this is really what I want to do.”
Gini spoke with Tallahassee officials about her desire to work as a medical foster parent in Manatee County. “I got my certificate, but they said they couldn’t help me,” she says.
However, she wasn’t ready to give up that easily. Gini wrote to all of her senators and representatives to inform them about the issue. “Manatee County had a lot of children with medical needs who had been sent all across the state, and parents were being penalized because they weren’t making appointments and visits—but the state had moved their child hundreds of miles away from them.”
After jumping through multiple hoops—including completing CPR, First Aid, and water safety training—Gini finally received her MFC license under Tampa. For several years, Gini was the only medical foster home in Manatee. “When funding finally came through, I switched from Tampa to Manatee,” she says. “It was a long road, but it was worth it.”
Today, Gini is licensed to have four foster children at a time, but she typically has three. Because of the level of care the kids require, she has 24/7 nursing in her home.
From Foster to Forever Home
Over the years, Gini has adopted three of her foster children and is in the process of adopting a fourth. Her first adopted daughter is now 28 years old. “She had thyroid issues, but now she’s fine,” she says.
Gini’s second adopted daughter, Jayci, requires total care. “She has severe Schizencephaly, which is a brain disorder,” she explains. Jayci had just turned five when Gini took her in as a foster.
“She was severely medically neglected, so she had to go the hospital first,” Gini recalls. “They said she wasn’t going to make it and wanted to put her in a nursing home facility.” But Gini fought for Jayci. “I said, why don’t you at least let me try to take care of her in my home and see how she does?” They agreed, and Jayci did well.
Several years later, Jayci’s parental rights were terminated. “They needed the space in my home for another foster child and wanted to send Jayci to a facility. But I said no—and I started adoption proceedings.”
At this point, Jayci’s neurologist warned Gini. “He told me, ‘This is not a good idea. This child is not going to make it. You are stepping into a world of hurt coming your way because we’re not going to cure this.’ And I responded, ‘Then all the more reason for her to be here and have a mom to speak up for her.’ So, I went through with the adoption.”
Everyone said Jayci would pass away before the adoption could be finalized, but they were wrong. “Now, here she is about to turn 16,” says Gini proudly.
After she adopted Jayci, Gini took in another foster child named Jacob. “He had some congenital brain issues that meant a short lifespan,” she explains. When Jacob’s parental rights were terminated, and he was destined for a facility, Gini decided she would adopt him. “I saw the same neurologist again and told him I was adopting Jacob,” she says. “He said, ‘Well, I’d tell you no, but you don’t listen well,’” she laughs.
Jacob passed away a couple of years ago at the age of seven. “He passed away in my arms here at home, and we were able to keep him as comfortable as possible,” Gini says.
Today, Gini is in the process of adopting another child with severe medical issues.
As for her three biological sons, Gini says they grew up around foster kids. “My oldest was two when I started fostering, so this is the only life they know,” she says. “They are all adults now with their own lives, but I can call on any of them if I need anything.”
A Plan for a Van
Recently, Gini did need something: a new wheelchair van. “I got stuck at All Children’s Hospital one day because the lift wouldn’t go down on my old van,” she says.
When her request for funding was denied, Gini resorted to using her own minivan, which meant lifting her kids and wheelchairs in and out of the van. Fortunately, Gini’s adult children stepped in and started a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising $40,000.
“I was very hesitant at first, but they said it had already been done,” Gini says. Suncoast News ran a feature about it, and BayNews9 and News Channel 8 picked up the story. “After that, donations went through the roof,” Gini says. “So, I got a brand-new wheelchair van plus a ramp and roll-in bathroom shower for my kids. It was amazing!”
Supermom
After fostering for nearly four decades, Gini says her job isn’t finished. “I don’t see myself doing anything else,” she emphasizes. “I’ve got tremendous support, and I have nurses who have been with me for years and years.”
She is also driven by a strong Christian faith. “I know these kids are coming here to me because God knows this is where they need to be,” she says. “As long as I have the ability to keep doing it, I’m doing it.”
She admits it is incredibly difficult to say goodbye to a foster child—whether they pass away, are adopted, or return home to their parents. Even so, Gini wholly opens her heart to each and every child. “If you don’t put your walls down and love them like they’re yours, you’re not doing them any good,” she stresses. “And when that child leaves, it’s going to hurt. But then you know the next child is waiting—and you can make the same difference in that child’s life that you made in the last.”
One thing is certain: Gini White has earned her wings.
- To learn more about adopting or fostering a child, visit the Heart Gallery at floridafosterfamily.com.
