In September of 2015, I met the most special baby boy in an orphanage in China. He was to be advocated for as ‘Robert.’ Robert was 14 months old at the time and he didn’t have a file even started.
This precious baby boy was found abandoned in a toilet. Unfathomable to me, but I knew God had a very important reason for keeping this baby alive. He is special – beyond special really. Back on that September day in 2015, I walked into a room full of kids of all ages. Most lay still in their cribs, not very interactive. They had grown accustomed to their solitary life.
Not Robert. Robert was moving around, made awesome eye contact, and had the best smile. His eyes were piercing. As he looked into my eyes, I knew he was special and that I had to find this boy a family.
Later on, I went into a room to meet all of the children with Down syndrome who didn’t have files yet. In came this boy with a nanny who clearly adored him. I could tell he was her favorite by the way she cared for him, how well he appeared, and because I saw he was wearing these beautiful little bracelets, one on each hand. I knew it was that boy… the same one I had saw hours earlier in his crib. Then I saw him interact with his nanny. His smile and his laugh… it stole my heart. I found myself wishing I could somehow sneak him out and take him home because he was adorable!
The sad reality was that it would be at least six months before his file was even available. And, unfortunately for Robert, it took much longer than that. It took over a year for his file to be made ready and to arrive to the agency… 15 months from the first time I met him to be exact. But it’s here and it’s time to find this precious little boy a forever family.
He’s going to be such a blessing to his forever family!
New videos of Robert from November 2016 (note that he had just woken up from a nap) can be found here, here, here and here. Password for all is Adoptmaa.
Older videos from September 2015 can be found here and here. Password for all is Adoptmaa.
Robert is two years old and has Down syndrome. He is listed with Madison Adoption Associates via an orphanage partnership. Robert has been met by multiple MAA staff members on multiple occasions.
There is a $5,000 agency grant with Madison Adoption Associates for Robert’s adoption. Other grants may be available based on the adoptive family’s circumstances. Agency grants are awarded as agency fee reductions. MAA also partners with the Brittany’s Hope Foundation for matching grants, which are given out twice a year (January and July) and to families that are matched with a child.
If you are interested in reviewing Robert’s file or in adopting Robert, please fill out a free PAP Waiting Child Review Form, which can be found here.
– guest advocacy post by Brooke
He’s amazing <3
A Reece’s Rainbow account for him is now live!
http://reecesrainbow.org/117348/robertjay