the practice of saying no

January 31, 2015 Kelly, referral 2 Comments

I clung to the steering wheel as if it was a floatation device and I was drowning. It seemed fitting. I felt like I was drowning. There I sat in the parking lot of the grocery store. Mothers with babies on their hips casually walking past my parked car to go pick up milk and …Read More

Post-adoption depression: you are not alone

January 30, 2015 guest post, January 2015 Feature, January 2015 Feature - Post-Adoption Depression, post-adoption depression 1 Comments

Earlier this month, Erin shared her experience with post-adoption depression. Today, as January and our spotlight on PADS come to a close, Erin is back with a follow-up post she so generously offered to share. I remember the first day when I woke up not in a complete fog from PADS. It was like I …Read More

Will You Love Me Forever?

January 30, 2015 amniotic band syndrome, Family Stories, older child adoption 1 Comments

Excitement, curiosity and fear of the unknown filled the eight year old boy’s mind as he entered the cold, stale room. His eyes landed on some smiling faces that looked vaguely familiar. Yes, these were the same faces that had smiled at him from the pages of the photo album he carried in his backpack, …Read More

it was a good year: a look back at 2014

January 27, 2015 2014 in review, Family Found, Stefanie 0 Comments

2014 was quite a year for No Hands But Ours. The Mentoring Mom program launched in June to an amazing response from over 100 mamas. The No Hands But Ours site was masterfully overhauled by Northstar Marketing over the course of a year, and the beautiful, super-functional site went live in September. Each of the Special Needs …Read More

not disabled. differently abled.

January 26, 2015 Family Stories, limb difference, missing hand/foot, Orthopedic 3 Comments

When I was fourteen I taught Sunday School for a year. One of the kids in my class of four year olds had a short left arm. The first day of class I found myself thinking “that poor little guy was born with only one arm.” It took next to no time at all for …Read More

find my family: Lacy

January 26, 2015 Family Found 1 Comments

Lacy is a beautiful 9 year old girl, who has recently had surgery to correct her club feet. She is new the agency list at Hawaii International Child! Lacy was born with a meningocele, and club feet. She was found when she was an infant, and stayed with that family until 2013, at which time …Read More

find my family: Kyle

January 24, 2015 Family Found 1 Comments

Wonderful Kyle! Please read about this precious boy who participated in Lifeline’s Hosting program and very much wants a forever family. Precious Kyle is 10 years old and is designated to Lifeline’s special focus list. This sweet child is stated to have an eye condition called cryptophthalmus (missing eyelid) and caligo cornea (speck on the …Read More

Chronic: The Race Set Before Us

January 23, 2015 adoption realities, chronic conditions, Rebecca 4 Comments

I am coming to terms with it.  This is not passing.  It’s not over after a surgery, or two.  Or after a therapy session, or three.  The first year is behind us, but there are more miles in this marathon.  I’m discovering what chronic means.  I’m learning that adopting a child labeled medically complex truly …Read More

HIV: Stigma and Disclosure

January 23, 2015 guest post, HIV, Infectious, January 2015 Feature 0 Comments

Two of the biggest topics in the HIV adoption world are disclosure and stigma. They are very closely related. So let’s talk about them. Stigma can be defined as a stain on one’s reputation, or a mark of disgrace. HIV sure does have a blemish on its reputation. So much fear of how it is …Read More

Adoption Allergies

January 21, 2015 adopting as a single mom, Attachment, Desiree, Down syndrome 0 Comments

“He’s been home for over two years. Isn’t it time you stop thinking about attachment?“   I stared dumbfounded at the face in front of me that had just uttered those hurtful words. I knew in my heart, they were said both in overly-asserted kindness and in ignorance, but I kinda wanted to scream back …Read More

being refined

January 21, 2015 guest post, January 2015 Feature, January 2015 Feature - Post-Adoption Depression, post-adoption depression 13 Comments

i’ve been mulling over this post for a month. it’s not for lack of content, but an inability to process and actually edit and write it down. so forgive me if this is wordy. i hope you can hear my heart. we are nearly 4 years home with my daughter. she is our 3rd of …Read More

find my family: Jolie

January 20, 2015 Family Found 1 Comments

This beautiful little girl is six years old and said to be extroverted, active and restless. Jolie is stated to have good communication skills, can express herself well and gets along well with other children. Her file states that she has, “Good physical and mental development, similar with other children of her age.” Precious Jolie …Read More

The Lost Boys of China

January 19, 2015 a father's perspective, gender as a special need, Mike 8 Comments

It started with Adam It was at McDonalds on a crisp December morning in 2002, and we had just completed an ultrasound appointment for our second child. During the appointment, we learned that our first child, Abby, was going to have a baby brother. Over her tray of hash browns and an Egg McMuffin, Anne …Read More

Aging Out Child: Cody

January 18, 2015 Family Found 2 Comments

Update: My Family Found Me! Cody ages out this July, he needs a family to adopt him before his fourteenth birthday. He has mild hemophilia, his future and health depend on being adopted. His future, should he remain an orphan in China, is bleak. Cody was found abandoned at a bus station when he was …Read More

Looking back on adopting my child with HBV

January 17, 2015 Family Stories, guest post, HepB+, Infectious, January 2015 Feature 3 Comments

When my husband and I decided in 2008 to adopt from China’s Special Needs Program, we knew we would have to fill out a medical check list. One of the needs we readily checked was Hepatitis B. I had contacted HepB as an adult and had cleared the virus without really getting sick. Of course, …Read More

Adopting Later in Life

January 16, 2015 adopting later in life, Jean, large families 8 Comments

How do I begin this post? You see, I think I am a lot younger than I actually am. I feel great, I’m energetic and loving life! My eyesight is perfectly blurred, so when I look in the mirror I see a softened version of myself- I like that! The woman in the mirror could …Read More

find my family: May

January 16, 2015 Family Found 0 Comments

Meet adorable 1.5 year old May! May is listed with Madison Adoption Associates via an orphanage partnership. She is diagnosed as having paralysis of lower limbs and abnormal development of sacral vertebrae. Videos: One, Two, Three and Four. Password: Adoptmaa Madison’s guide has met her and said that her legs have no feeling. She is …Read More

find my family: Craig

January 14, 2015 Family Found 0 Comments

Craig is a precious 27 month old boy listed with Madison Adoption Associates. Craig’s language development is behind normal kids and his mental is a little lower than normal kids. He is not talking yet. He can only say something like “mama” and “baba.” He gets along well with other kids. He plays with them …Read More

post-adoption depression: one mom’s story

January 13, 2015 adoption realities, guest post, January 2015 Feature, January 2015 Feature - Post-Adoption Depression, post-adoption depression 7 Comments

My husband and I delved into the world of adoption like most parents; blinders on and only thinking of having our newest family member in our arms. We trudged through all of the standard trainings which really prepared us for nothing and filled out our mountain of paperwork. Before we knew it, we were packing …Read More

going back and paintbrushes

January 13, 2015 Hannah, orphanage realities 0 Comments

January 4, 2014… I mean 2015. Where does the time go? I have my ticket. I’m flying back to China on the 9th, a Friday afternoon. By the time you all read this I will have been in the good ol’ PRC for about three days, and will hopefully be sleeping soundly (why are you …Read More

Waiting Child Who is HIV Positive: Edward

January 12, 2015 Family Found 0 Comments

HIV is a virus which affects the immune system, and is managed by medication. With proper treatment people who are HIV positive have normal life expectancies, including full lives with marriages and children. One of the biggest challenges is facing the stigma. In China the stigma is worse, and HIV positive orphans have a bleak …Read More

All Things New

January 11, 2015 Amy, toddler adoption 1 Comments

It seems as though it’s becoming popular to claim a “word” for the new year rather than a resolution. I get it. There have been some years where I was certain that a word cycled intentionally through my soul from Jesus Himself. I would encounter it in music and feel that stirring in my soul. …Read More

Urgent Medical Need: Everett

January 10, 2015 Family Found 9 Comments

Everett is a ten year old boy diagnosed with thalassemia who is waiting for a family of his own. His file is on the shared list so he can be pursued by a family or single woman working with any agency. It is very important that Everett is adopted as he is dependent on blood …Read More

connections and community

January 9, 2015 adoption community, Amy A. 0 Comments

Hello everyone! I feel so excited and honored to serve as a monthly contributor for No Hands But Ours. The NHBO team permeates passion while advocating and providing information, all for the sake of the least of these. I can’t imagine any place I would rather be than working alongside these men and women. Please …Read More

find my family: Roman

January 8, 2015 Children Who Wait 0 Comments

Roman was born May 2008. His needs are a mouthful and likely why he still waits: 1. cerebral palsy, strephenopodia of both feet, limited movement; 2. missing of left patella; 3. subcutaneous mass in lumbosacral region, soft. Outrageously handsome, this boy loves to play with cars! He is adored by his caregivers and children in …Read More

an interview with ResponsiBoy

January 7, 2015 adoptee perspective 0 Comments

My name is Becky, aka FullPlateMom. This is my first time contributing here at No Hands But Ours. I am mom of ten amazing children who all came to us through adoption, and wife to one never-endingly patient man who I call Joe, but is lovingly referred to as FullPlateDad on our family blog. You …Read More

find my family: CiCi

January 6, 2015 Family Found 3 Comments

CiCi was born June of 2013. she is a sweet toddler who is bright, active and smart. By 6 months of age, she was rolling over and learning to sit. By 9 months, she could sit unassisted and had started holding onto her bed rails to stand. By 1 year old, she was crawling and …Read More

There’s Something In My Hole (the New Year’s resolution you will want to adopt)

January 4, 2015 cl/cp, Jennifer 4 Comments

It was at lunch just a few days ago. Grace had received some new books with adoption themes for Christmas and she was becoming increasingly confident in telling her story and asking other relatives about their part in it. “Mommy cried happy tears, what did YOU do?” I certainly do not feel that I am …Read More

Find My Family: Ya

January 4, 2015 Family Found 0 Comments

Oh my goodness! Just look at adorable Ya! She was born October of 2007 and has Down Syndrome. This is what is said about her: “Ya is an extremely adorable child. If you ask her what her name is, she will tell you to call her Ya Ya. If you ask her how old she …Read More

find my family: Wallace

January 2, 2015 Family Found 3 Comments

Wallace, born March 2013, is an extroverted little boy with big bright eyes and a cute smile; caregivers want to kiss his chubby cheeks every time they see him, and who can blame them?! He especially enjoys listening to music, and will sit quietly enraptured by it. This sweet boy loves to complete puzzles and …Read More

He is Here

January 1, 2015 adoption realities, Attachment, Carrie 10 Comments

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a …Read More

© 2024 No Hands But Ours

The content found on the No Hands But Ours website is not approved, endorsed, curated or edited by medical professionals. Consult a doctor with expertise in the special needs of interest to you.