Bio

Donna Richards

Able to leap tall piles of laundry with a single bound. Faster than a speeding Suburban headed to daycare. It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s SuperMom, Donna Richards! It is almost impossible to describe Donna in a novel shorter than Gone with the Wind. This is a woman who teaches her kids to call the alarm clock an “opportunity clock”. If you spend the night at the Richards’ house you will be awakened at 6:00 am by several voices yelling, “I’M BACK!!!!!” That is how the children at her house welcome the day! She is the mother of five sons, the youngest of whom has autism. She runs two businesses, and is a wife, mother, and friend to many. Everybody is happy to see Donna walk in the door. She always has a smile and a big boost of energy for anyone who needs it. Her favorite expression is Step Up!!! If you make a mistake—Step up and say so. If there is no one that wants to do the job—Step up and take it. Right or wrong, just step up! Have some initiative; do something! Her sons also believe in this philosophy. From the biggest to the smallest, there are no excuses on Team Richards. Sunday at her house is family day. Everybody has a matching football jersey that says Richards on the back with a number that represents his date of birth. Every Wednesday is Fancy Antsy Restaurant Night, where one child each week gets to pick what he wants to eat; cooks it; sets the table; and serves it to the family. (Italian night is hilarious! You should see those kids in white chef’s hats with spaghetti everywhere!) The thing people admire most about Donna is that in a world where everyone is always too busy, she makes time for other people. She volunteers a lot at Open Door Home, an orphanage in Rome, Georgia. All the kids love to see her truck pull up because they know there is good stuff inside (candy at Halloween or baskets at Easter). They know that they can count on Donna, but what they do not know is that she understands, all too well, their plight. You see, when Donna was born, her mother left her at the hospital. After several stays in numerous places, she was adopted. So, it is her heart that speaks to the kids at Open Door! She is a wonderful motivator and role model. Look out world, because there is no telling where those Richards boys may go! Editor’s Note: The above-noted biography was adapted from one written by Chris Johnson, a friend of Donna’s, who clearly captures the author’s wit and style. The staff of ASQ is delighted to bring you Donna’s new, four-part series, Autism and Everyday Life. Welcome aboard, Donna! We look forward to viewing the world from your spirited and refreshing perspective.