By Faith Alone: Special Needs Adoption

Last summer we faced many struggles with our adoption.  The Ethiopia program had come to a halt for us with a 5+ year wait time. And we didn't feel that our family was suited for foster care.  I was ready to give up on adoption.  In fact, when people asked I told them we would probably revisit the idea of adoption in a few years.  But God was still stirring in my heart.

I began to feel pulled towards special needs adoption.  In the world of adoption, special needs can carry many definitions, often times referring to healthy kids who might be older, or part of a sibling group.  It can also be used to describe minor correctible issues, like eczema!  But I felt pulled towards a true special need.  I began praying about what God might have in store for us.  Surely we could handle a child with down syndrome or something of that sort.

In November we requested the files for twin boys who were about to be separated.  Apparently one child seemed more "adoptable" than his twin.  We read and researched, and talked to medical practitioners, and came to the conclusion that while both boys have developmental delays, one of them is very likely to have Cerebral Palsy (CP).

And we said YES!

Yes we want BOTH boys.  Our future holds lots of uncertainties.  CP has such a broad spectrum and the boys are so young that we just don't know how severe it might be.  We know we have lots of appointments and therapies ahead of us.  All of the rest we place in God's hands and put our faith in Him!