Retirement Upended: Grandparents Step Up for Family Caregiving

Martin Odum, 71, and his wife, 74, residing in a mobile home in Seneca, central Illinois, are navigating the challenges of raising their grandson, Noah, while in retirement. The couple has been married for 51 years and has lived in the same home for four decades.

Mr. Odum worked as an electrician for 30 years, retiring only to immediately start a maintenance job because he felt 52 was too young to stop working. His wife also had a long career, serving as a supervisor at a refinery for approximately 20 years.

A Legacy of Raising Grandchildren

The Odums are deeply involved in their extended family, caring for ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren in total. This is not their first time raising a grandchild; they previously cared for Noah's older sister for about ten years, seeing her first steps and hearing her first words, though they never formally adopted her.

The responsibility for Noah arose after their son divorced and started a new relationship. Mr. Odum noted that he and his wife simply do what they feel parents are supposed to do for their family.

Caring for Noah, Who Has Spina Bifida

Noah, who has spina bifida, was taken in by his grandparents around Thanksgiving when he was in the seventh grade. Mr. Odum had been retired from his maintenance job for four months at that time. His father signed papers making them temporary guardians, a status Mr. Odum views as effectively permanent.

Mr. Odum explained that they did not pursue formal adoption earlier due to a lack of funds to fight for custody. He expressed concern that if Noah hadn't been raised by them from a younger age, he might not be able to walk with assistance today, a possibility he now considers unlikely.

Success Through Adaptive Sports and Education

The grandparents focused on involving Noah in activities to help him thrive. Following the success seen with their granddaughter in competitive dancing, they encouraged Noah's involvement in adaptive sports.

Noah has excelled, winning the state finals last year in the Class 1 wheelchair division for both shot put and discus. Through an adaptive sports association, he has also secured four gold medals in archery, air rifle, shot put, and discus.

Academically, Noah’s grades have significantly improved since becoming involved in the school musical every year since freshman year. The family hopes his athletic success might lead to college scholarships.

Financial Realities and Advocacy

Financially, the family relies on Social Security benefits for both Mr. Odum and Noah, who receives disability benefits. Mr. Odum also receives a small pension from his initial electrician job, and his wife has insurance through her former employer.

Noah is also covered by military disability insurance through his stepmother, which has minimized medical expenses. Mr. Odum actively seeks grants to support Noah’s athletic pursuits and has not faced issues securing resources at the school level.

Mr. Odum stated that while they use Noah's Social Security for his needs and try to provide extras, finances are often tight, but they manage to survive. He emphasized the need for greater support for grandparents raising children, especially those with disabilities.

Noah’s Perspective on His New Life

Noah shared that adjusting to living with his grandparents was not challenging because it was a positive change for him. He expressed deep gratitude for their sacrifices, stating they treat him with love and respect.

He noted that his high school experience has been much better than middle school, where he struggled after switching schools. Noah shared his ambition to earn a degree and become a veterinarian, driven by a lifelong love for animals.