​Francis is one of twelve special needs children adopted by Bob and Betty Smith of Ft. Wayne, Indiana.    Francis, whose birth name was Hugh Dermott O'Connor, was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a very rare genetic disorder that affects the formation of the face. With no eye sockets, chin,  or  ears, along with  a gaping cleft palate, it was soon discovered that his oversized tongue constantly blocked his airway causing him to choke and gag. His eyes had no eye sockets for support.  Instead they rolled around  inside holes in Francis's skull.  His Irish birth parents  - who were both university professors from Ireland -  were on sabbatical at Indiana University , when his premature birth caught them off-guard.  Believing their newborn child had no chance of survival, his heartbroken parents felt it was best to leave him behind in the care of his expert medical team. When Francis was two-and-a-half year old, he was diagnosed with Autism.  

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​Francis's new book, ​​​​​"Title Change  is co-authored and written by .  A companion book filled with resources for help with ​Treacher Collins Syndrome and other craniofacial development disorders is also in the works and will follow shortly.  Francis's book will be published by Ebenezer Printing Press​.  It is scheduled for release Christmas 2014.  ​Currently Francis resides in Calgary, Canada, while he completes his post-doctorate research at the University.   He is scheduled to remain in Canada until 2016.   ​

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God doesn't make mistakes.  Clearly He had other plans for Francis and the rest of the Smith family.  As this incredible story unfolds, it is clear how God had His hands planted firmly in the lives of his adopted parents and siblings many years before they were even born.   When Betty met her future husband Bob Smith, she was a young widow with a toddler son. Bob made it very clear he was going to marry her.  He also made it known it was his hearts desire to have a very large family.   Tragically, Betty suffered miscarriage after miscarriage during the first years of their marriage.  Devastated, Bob and Betty refused to relinquish their dream.  Before long it was decided they would adopt, but only children other families wouldn't take on.  All-in-all, the Smith family grew to twelve children, some who were bi-racial, and all who needed special care - one  child for every miscarriage Betty and Bob suffered through.  At the center of their family was their love for their LORD.  Every evening before dinner the family would sit in a circle and read out loud 'Our Daily Bread'.  At the dinner table is when Bob and Betty brought up to the children the possibility of bringing another special child into the fold.  Everyone would have to agree. After all, it was a family affair.   Bringing another body home meant that someone would have to give up something - a new toy, a single room for a shared room.   Betty said, "We didn't have outside help.  We had inside help.  All of our children remembered exacty where they came from.  They all chipped in and took care of each other."  The family adopted one more child after Francis.  Ruth.   Not long after Ruth joined the fold, Bob passed away.  The night before he went home to the Lord, Bob - who suffered from emphysema - spent the entire night on his knees at the foot of the bed in a guest room, praying out loud for each of their children, by name.  The next morning Betty discovered her husbands body.  From that point on, she single-handedly raised this amazing family with only  "inside help".  How does she do it?  Aside from the LORD, her response was, "I never think about it.  I just do it!."​​​​​​​  ​​​​​​

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