At age 16, Melinda “Mindy” Johnson is among the oldest of 17 siblings ranging in age from 23 years old to 3 months old.
Although her family if comprised of biological, step- and adopted siblings, Johnson said, “I consider them all biological brothers and sisters.”
Zach, 23, is the oldest, followed by Catherine, 21; Steven, 18; Alicia, 17; Mindy and Dillon, 14; Blake, 13; Madison, 12; Breanna, 12; Lance, 12; Lexi, 11; Eric, 8; Jade, 8; Xander, 5; Tractor, 4; Aiden, 3; and Kayge, 3 months.
All 17 members of the family do not live in the same house. Lance, Lexi, Jade, Xander, Aiden and Kayge are Mindy’s half-siblings and live with their mothers. Mindy’s only biological sibling is Steven, who lives with her, as do Catherine, Alicia, Dillon, Blake, Breanna, Eric and Tractor.
Melinda’s mother adopted Madison, and Zach has moved out.
Mindy Johnson takes on a lot of responsibility at home. She said she is expected to make better grades than her older siblings did, complete household chores and babysit when her parents are away.
“I feel like I am expected to be superhuman,” Johnson said. “I feel like I am expected to be able to do all things. It seems impossible, but it isn’t.”
Despite limited free time, she manages to enjoy hobbies such as reading and scrapbooking. She also takes pictures of events and creates scrapbooks as parliamentarian for her local Business Professionals of America chapter.
Johnson said she also likes to have fun with her younger siblings, and tries her best to stay close to them. She tries to make sure the time she spends with her siblings is memorable for them, she said.
Since the family emphasizes helping the younger children, Johnson said she often feels a bit lonesome.
“Sometimes you just need somebody,” she said.
Johnson said that her step- mother suffered a miscarriage, losing a girl who was to be named Paityn, right before Johnson’s freshman prom. On the night of the prom, her grandmother died. Johnsons said the tough news kept coming, as two weeks before her 16th birthday she was diagnosed with Type 2 juvenile diabetes and then developed ovarian cysts.
Despite her medical struggles, Johnson said she aspires to better her siblings’ lives and tries her best not to be discouraged by her situation.
When she is dispirited, she said, she thinks of how her mother raised her as a single parent while earning a degree in phlebotomy.
Though the large family comes with its unique set of challenges, Johnson considers it a blessing.
“Despite the fact that I’m busy all the time and I feel a lot of the pressure is on me, I like to think that I’m really lucky to have such a large family, and I really thank God every day for every single one of my siblings because they’ve really shaped to be amazing people,” she said.
