For the Love of Matthew: Growing up with Down Syndrome »

A native of Shirley, Massachusetts, Ms. Houska moved to Fordville, ND with her husband, La Vere Potulny in 1967. They had two sons, Clint and Todd, and after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Dakota, she taught first and second grade in Fordville for five years. Mr. Potulny was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in 1983.

She is now living in Grafton, ND with her second husband, Ron Houska and their son Matthew. She is currently a substitute teacher as well as co-owner of Houska's Hallmark in Grafton.

Ms. Houska has written four published children's books under the name Janice Credit Potulny.

A mother bares her soul as she tells the story of finding out her son has Down syndrome, and the grief, pain and guilt that follow. Her story is interwoven with family tragedies and joys as she devotes her life to teaching him, making sure everything possible is done to ensure his growth and learning. A fine young man emerges who is reading at three and by the time he is ten, he is playing the piano. He has since added the harmonica, xylophone and guitar to his musical talents and he has preformed publicly for the past several years. A source of encouragement for parents of handicapped children, and for educators who wish to understand more closely the life of a child with Down syndrome.