I have been getting asked a question quite often lately, and I thought I would address it on the blog in case any of you are wondering the same thing.
"How do you guys keep getting 'all these kids' when so many people we know have been waiting and waiting and waiting to adopt from China?"
That is a fair question, especially for those who are not adopting, and don't know the procedure.
There are two ways to adopt from China. There is a program called Non-special needs and this program currently has a very long wait. The other program is the special needs program, which is the one from which we have chosen to adopt.
Some are unaware of our kids' special needs (which I think is cool--that they don't even notice!). That is what I hope to convey i n this post. Kids with special needs are awesome kids and they need families. We don't even notice their special needs--and after being with them, most people don't either.
Chloe was our first child with special needs. She has a 'little foot' with three toes and her leg is shorter and will need leg lengthening in the future. People who do not know about her 'special need' are usually shocked when they find out. She is athletic and runs and plays like any other kid. She has a few extra doctor appointments with her foot and leg, but other than that--just a 'normal' kid.
SaraGrace was next and she has a heart defect. She has had one surgery and will require several more open-heart surgeries to change a valve as she grows out of it. On a daily level, she is a healthy kid (and if she had any more drama or spunk, I don't think the rest of us would survive! ha)
Jordan has microtia--which means he has an ear that didn't form. Currently he has hearing in one ear. When he is six or seven, he will be fitted with a prosthetic ear but we don't know if he will ever have hearing in that ear. Daily--no additional care needed--we just need to be careful that he doesn't get an ear infection in his good ear.
Jacob was born with an extra finger on each hand. This can be part of a syndrome, but in his case, it doesn't seem to be. His extra fingers were removed and his only special need is that he is extraordinarily cute and hilarious. hehe
Kate--as you know if you've been reading this blog for very long--has a heart defect and has received her surgery. She will need a heart transplant in 20-30 years unless technology figures out a way to pump blood through her heart in a more effective way. Daily--just some medication and we have to be careful that she doesn't injure herself due to bruising easily--no big deal.
Zoey has a 'little foot' like Chloe--although hers is much more severe as she is missing her ankle bone. She is facing lots of surgeries OR a foot amputation.
None of these smiling, amazing kids are anything but WONDERFUL!! It makes my heart ache to think that someone might not think they have as much value as a 'normal' kid. I know how great they are and I hope that others will see the same and consider opening their hearts to a child with special needs. There are SO many kids waiting. Our lives have been so enriched to have these precious kids in our family. I can't imagine our lives without them! They are such a blessing.
