by Amy, mother to Linzhi from China with arthrogryposis We felt the calling to adopt from China in the spring of 2006. We happily filled out our applications, picked our agency, social worker, gathered all our paperwork for our dossier, etc… We were thrilled to get a our DTC and LID in a timely manner …Read More
Xiao Guo Zi
February 21, 2009
alpha thalassemia, Blood Conditions, Family Stories, thalassemia
0 Comments
By Stacy, Mom to Xiao Guo Zi from China (NSN) with Alpha Thalassemia trait and asthma We waited anxiously for our NSN referral to come in. Waited and Waited. All the others came in, still we waited. My husband went out to the store, and I waited. Finally, when I was certain for some reason …Read More
Lizzie
February 19, 2009
amniotic band syndrome, clubfoot, Family Stories, Lifeline, limb difference, missing fingers/toes
0 Comments
By Anne, mom to Lizzie from China with clubfoot and a limb difference We had talked about adoption for many years and had actually started the process for a non special needs, infant girl from Korea when we found out we were pregnant with our fourth child (first girl). We were thrilled about our first …Read More
Claire
February 17, 2009
AHH, AWAA, Family Stories, mediasinal tumor
0 Comments
by Keri, mom to Claire from China with a SN of mediastinal tumor I have hesitated to share our story because I feel some guilt including it in a ‘special need’ category. You see, we experienced a true miracle with our Claire. We were clients of AWAA on the NSN route knowing nothing about SN. …Read More
Kimmie and Quan
February 16, 2009
cl/cp, Family Stories, radial club hand
2 Comments
by Laine, mom to Kimmie from China with radial club hands and Quan from China with cleft lip and palate Kimmie and Quan…two toddler adoptions at the same time! If that title doesn’t get your attention, nothing will! We were blessed beyond measure to adopt two special needs children at one time. Our story is …Read More
Aidan Hope
February 13, 2009
Family Stories, hearing loss, Living Hope, microtia, Sensory System
0 Comments
by Tracy, mom to Aidan Hope from China with microtia When I was in 7th grade, I purchased a used book from our county’s Book-mobile service. It was called The Family That Nobody Wanted, by Helen Doss. It was the story of a young pastor’s wife, unable to bear her own biological children, who desired …Read More
Rachel
February 11, 2009
cleft lip, Family Stories
0 Comments
By Kathy, mom to Rachel from China with cleft lip Rachel story is one of great detail, lots of red threads and sure determination of many people to make sure this little girl found her forever family. There are so many twists and turns I don’t even know what category her story will fall in. …Read More
Silas
February 10, 2009
Family Stories, hearing loss, microtia, Sensory System
0 Comments
By Cara, mother to Silas from China with bilateral microtia and atresia In the early summer of 2007 my husband and I decided to have a third baby. We had two girls and knew we wanted a third child. I was praying about our decision one day and I had a thought come to my …Read More
Mason-Kate
February 9, 2009
cl/cp, Family Stories
0 Comments
by Ryan and Beth, parents to Mason-Kate from China with cleft lip and palate Growing up, I was fascinated with adoption. My neighbor was adopted, “Annie” was my hero, playing adoption agency was my favorite pretend game and occasionally I wondered if I was adopted and my parents just weren’t telling me about it. During …Read More
Will
February 9, 2009
cl/cp, Family Stories, Lifelink
0 Comments
By Gail, mother to William Michael with cleft lip and palate “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”~Edward Everett Hale I am a mother to …Read More
Lydia Mei
February 8, 2009
Craniofacial, Family Stories, hearing loss, HepB+, Infectious, microtia, Sensory System
0 Comments
By Andrea, mom to Lydia Mei from China with a SN of unilateral microtia/aural atresia We began our adoption journey in hopes of adding children to our home, but ultimately we found a much greater purpose and passion. The road to parenthood by way of China brought us into a deeper understanding of how we …Read More
Karleigh Mei
February 7, 2009
abortive cryptophthalmos, Family Stories, vision issues
0 Comments
by Jenn, mom to Karleigh Mei from China with vision issues Everyone asks us when we made the decision to adopt. It was a seed that was planted in both Karl and I many years ago. I believe, for myself, it was planted when I was a child. I’ve always wanted to adopt a child. …Read More
Gui Ai
February 6, 2009
22qdeletion syndrome, Developmental System, Family Stories, velocardiofacial syndrome
1 Comments
By Anonymous, mother to Gui Ai from China with DiGeorge syndrome I want to share our family’s journey of adoption. I hope in doing this it will encourage others to consider children with unknowns and more involved special needs. When we received the referral for our daughter we knew she had a repaired heart condition …Read More
Annalise
February 5, 2009
anorectal malformation, Family Stories, imperforate anus, recto vaginal fistula, Urogenital System
0 Comments
By Paulette, mother to Annalise from China with anal rectal malformation From the day I decided to adopt from China I knew that my role in this adoption was bigger then just sitting on the NSN list and waiting for the perfect healthy baby to arrive. God had equipped me to have the knowledge and …Read More
Abby Grace
February 2, 2009
AWAA, cl/cp, Family Stories, heart defect
0 Comments
By Jennifer, mother to Abby Grace from China with complex unrepaired heart condition and unrepaired bi-lateral cleft lip and palate In December of 2005 a little girl was born in the city of Ping Liang in GanSu Province China. A child that was not perfect in the eyes of man but perfect in the eyes …Read More
Emma
February 1, 2009
clubfoot, Family Stories
1 Comments
By Heather and Ryan, parents to Emma from China with unrepaired club foot Faith, hope, fear, trust, uncertainty, joy, wonder, astonishment, patience, love, laughter…these words describe just some of the emotions we felt throughout our journey to our precious Emma. My husband and I always knew we wanted children. We planned and waited for what …Read More
ShuQin
January 31, 2009
Family Stories, HepB+
0 Comments
By Tamara, mother to ShuQin from China with HepB+ I have three children. My son is a teenager, biological and a great kid who adores his sisters and is their hero. My two girls are adopted from China. They are 8 months apart in age (virtual twins) – the tiny twosome are the same height, …Read More
Susannah
January 30, 2009
AWAA, cl/cp, Family Stories, heart defect
0 Comments
by Leslie, mother to Susannah from China with complex unrepaired heart defects and unrepaired cl/cp Our journey to Susannah began years ago as God was birthing the desire to adopt in both of our hearts. It is very hard to pinpoint a specific date as I can look back at so many moments when I …Read More
Mia Chu Chu
January 29, 2009
Family Stories, hearing loss, microtia, Sensory System
0 Comments
By Anne, mom to Mia Chu Chu from China with hearing loss/ bilateral microtia Our adoption journey began in the fall of 2006 when we initiated paperwork for a “healthy” infant adoption from China. Like so many other adopting families, the drastic increase in wait times inspired us to check out China’s special needs program. …Read More
Meng
January 28, 2009
disruption, Family Stories, small head circumference
0 Comments
By Anonymous, mother to Meng from China with a small head circumference Another Side of Disruption I guess I have a different outlook on disruption. Its a subject that raises great emotion with a lot of families adopting but its one I feel extremely blessed by. You see its through a disruption In China, that …Read More
Mina
January 27, 2009
Family Stories, sacroccogyeal teratoma
1 Comments
By Amy, mother to Mina from China with sacroccogyeal teratoma In the fall of 2007 my husband and I started discussing international adoption. I remember us going back and forth as we contemplated being “done” having more children. As I started to look into the adoption process I was immediately convinced that this was the …Read More
Maylee Hope
January 26, 2009
Family Stories, spina bifida
0 Comments
By Rebecca, mom to Maylee Hope from China with spina bifida We already had 3 biological children when my husband and I began to feel God tugging on our hearts about adoption. After much discussion and prayer, we knew this was what the Lord had in mind for our family. We quickly decided that we …Read More
Abby
January 24, 2009
disruption, Family Stories, neurofibromatosis, NF1
0 Comments
By Kristin, mother to Abby from China In September 2005, we found ourselves DTC again for another beautiful little one from China. Having returned with Anna Grace (our NSN child) in July 2004, we knew the typical process involved. Shortly after becoming DTC, my husband brought up the idea of a special needs child. His …Read More
Gracen
January 23, 2009
cerebral palsy, Family Stories
2 Comments
By Sheryl, mom to Graycen HongYuan and soon Galia RunYi from China with cerebral palsyWe adopted our daughter, Graycen, in December 2005 as a non-special needs referral. Back then we only waited 7 months from LID to referral, if you can believe that? The short wait is truly what made us not even really consider …Read More
Tessa
January 22, 2009
anorectal malformation, Family Stories, imperforate anus, Lifeline
0 Comments
By Diane, mom to Tessa from China with imperforate anus In October 2005, we were in the midst of our adoption paperwork for our daughter Tessa. We were with one agency, but I continued to check the special needs lists of other agencies. We knew that God had called us to a special needs adoption, …Read More
Annah
January 22, 2009
ASD, Family Stories, VSD
0 Comments
By Kathy, mom to Annah from China with VSD and ASD Annah was adopted when she was 20 months old and her special need was listed as VSD/ASD repaired. All I knew at the time was these were heart issues and anything involving the heart sounded scary to me, but when I looked in the …Read More
Micah
January 19, 2009
Family Stories, hypospadias, undescended testicle
1 Comments
By Terry, mom to Micah from China with hypospadias Micah had hypospadias as his need. That meaning he doesn’t urinate through the tip of the penis. There are 3 different stages of hypospadias, one being where the opening is just underneath the tip, the second where the opening is midway back, and Micah’s condition where …Read More
Madeline
December 18, 2008
Family Stories, spina bifida
0 Comments
By Jane, mom to Madeline Jane Xia from China with spina bifida Not long after my husband, Erik, and I met he told me with great affirmation that he wanted to adopt a little girl from China. I remember thinking that any man who knew that from early on in his life was quite frankly …Read More
Kai
December 16, 2008
anorectal malformation, Family Stories, imperforate anus, VSD
0 Comments
By Heather, mom to Kai from China with anorectal malformation and VSD We began our adoption journey in May of 2005. We already had two beautiful, healthy children and decided the next child that joined our family would be a child without a mother and father. Like so many other families, we initially requested a …Read More
Ava Lan
December 15, 2008
cl/cp, Family Stories
0 Comments
By Tara, mom to Ava Lan from China with cleft lip and palate I had wanted to adopt a child for a long time, even after having 3 biological children. This was a desire God had placed in my heart since childhood. My husband, however, had no interest in adopting at first. I prayed in …Read More
Fei Yan
December 10, 2008
Family Stories, heart defect, HepB+
0 Comments
By anonymous, mom to Fei Yan from China with a heart defect (VSD) and Hep B+ When we began the adoption process we were pursuing a healthy child. God had other plans and soon opened our hearts to the children on the waiting child list. We filled out a form with our agency in April …Read More
Isabella
December 9, 2008
CHSFS, cl/cp, Family Stories
0 Comments
By Joan, mom to Isabella from China with cleft lip and palate My name is Joan and I am a single mom to two girls adopted from China with the help of Children’s Home Society & Family Services. Elizabeth is my oldest daughter and I traveled March of 2003 to bring her home. She was …Read More
Luke
December 9, 2008
CCAI, clubfoot, Family Stories, undescended testicle
0 Comments
By Anne and Mike, parents of Luke from China with unrepaired clubfoot The Story of Luke Our trip to get Luke was one of the most significant 2 weeks of our lives. It is really true that you never know what you can do unless you are thrown into a situation. We are just your …Read More
Mia
December 8, 2008
amniotic band syndrome, Family Stories, limb difference, missing arm/leg
0 Comments
By Sherri, mother of Mia from China with a limb difference The story of Mia When we decided to do a second adoption, we chose to do a special needs adoption. The only thing we knew for sure was that we were going to name her Mia. We didn’t have any certain special need in …Read More
Caleb
December 6, 2008
AGCI, cl/cp, Family Stories
0 Comments
By Julia, waiting mom to Caleb in China with cleft lip and palate I clearly heard God calling our family to adopt years ago. I cried every time I heard or saw anything adoption related. I just knew that we were called to go somewhere to adopt someone. I didn’t know where, who, when or …Read More
John
December 4, 2008
developmental delays, Family Stories
0 Comments
By Branda, mom to John from China with a SN of developmental delay Our sweet, sweet boy When my husband and I began to fill out the forms to adopt our next child, we knew that we were adopting a “special needs” child. We checked off our checklist of what we could handle as a …Read More
Cainan
December 4, 2008
cl/cp, Family Stories
0 Comments
By Jennifer, mom to Cainan Tao Pletcher from China with cleft lip and palate We decided to persue a SN adoption and adoption of a little boy from China almost right from the beginning of our adoption process. Adoption was always part of our family plan. We thought we would have two biological children and …Read More
Alayna
December 3, 2008
cl/cp, Family Stories, Living Hope
0 Comments
By Kateri, mother of Alayna from China with cleft lip and palate I remember after Kyrsten was born, whenever someone would ask, David and I would firmly say “we’re done.” Troy and Kyrsten were only 22 months apart. And even though we both work full time, children are expensive. There would be no more Lambrose …Read More
Maddie Rae
December 2, 2008
cl/cp, Family Stories
0 Comments
By Retta, mom to Maddie Rae from China with cleft lip and palate I am often asked, “Why did you decide to adopt?” and I normally sit there racking my brain for a clever and inspiring answer. Something that will sum up our adoption journey in one short sentence while motivating that person to check …Read More
Mia
November 30, 2008
brachial plexus palsy, Family Stories
0 Comments
By Lisa, mom to Mia from China with Brachial Plexus Palsy Our story about adopting Mia started out with our decision to adopt a second child; we had friends who had adopted SN kids and they were realistic but encouraging. I am a nurse practitioner and felt that because of my 30 years of experience, …Read More
Carli Mei
November 26, 2008
birthmark, Family Stories, hemangioma, port wine stain
0 Comments
By Brandy, mother to Carli Mei from China, with port wine stain birthmark Chosen We’re matched! We’re matched! I just remember that feeling of elation like it was yesterday. After a round of “matching” 3 months earlier and our family not being “chosen”. It was a day I tried to remain guarded…tried. My heart was …Read More
Josie
November 24, 2008
Family Stories, heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot
0 Comments
By Kim Kenward, mother to Josie from a China with a Congenital Heart Defect ~ Tetralogy of Fallot Our Journey to Josephine Xue Kenward When we first started out in the adoption process, we didn’t start out pursuing a special needs adoption. On July 31, 2007, we found our daughter on a waiting child list …Read More
Katelyn
November 24, 2008
Family Stories, myelomeningocele, spina bifida
0 Comments
By Nicole, mother to Katelyn from China with Spina Bifida ~ myelomeningocele Our Roller Coaster Ride to Our Daughter In October 2005, we found out we were pregnant with our third child. A month later I had a miscarriage. I have never experienced such loss and emptiness, but I knew God must have a plan …Read More
Thomas and Eli
November 23, 2008
albinism, CCAI, Family Stories, Skin Conditions
0 Comments
Q and A with Chris, mom to two children from China with Albinism What made you decide to pursue a child through the SN program? When we started looking at the adoption process, we thought filling out the Medical Conditions Checklist was something we were supposed to do as part of the application. When we …Read More
Kai
November 21, 2008
cl/cp, Family Stories
0 Comments
By Ohilda, mom to Kai from China with cleft lip and palate As we entered thru the front doors of the building, there standing with his nanny, was one of the most precious gifts I have ever received in my life. To this day, I am filled with shivers down my spine thinking of how …Read More
Naomi
November 20, 2008
AGCI, cl/cp, Family Stories
0 Comments
By Sarah, mom to Naomi from China with cleft lip and palate Our family’s dossier was originally logged in to the CCAA on August 3, 2006, NSN. A long year had passed since that summer, and we received an email that would change our lives. Our agency, All God’s Children, International (AGCI), sent out a …Read More
Maya
November 19, 2008
Family Stories, HepB+
0 Comments
by Eileen, mom to Maya from China who is HepB+ May 23, 2006 was a landmark day for our family. The day started with a phone call from our adoption agency. They told us that the night before they had e-mailed us the file of a special needs child and they wondered if we’d had …Read More
Lainey
November 18, 2008
CCAI, cl/cp, Family Stories
0 Comments
by Donna, mom to Lainey from China with cleft lip and cleft palate We began our adoption journey in March 06, becoming LID on 8/1/06. I began looking into the SN program before my husband was comfortable with it. But, after realizing it wasn’t as scary as he initially had built it up to be, …Read More
Lindsey Li
November 18, 2008
cl/cp, Family Stories
0 Comments
By Kathy, mother to Lindsey Li from China with cleft lip and palate Did I know I would adopt from China before 2006? Well that answer is no. I knew nothing about Chinese adoptions let alone special needs. My oldest daughter, Chelsea left us to be with God on January 6, 2006. She was healthy …Read More
Cana
October 20, 2008
Family Stories, heart defect
0 Comments
by Stacy, mom to Cana from China with Ventricular Septal Defect The Miracle of Cana ~May 15, 2007 – WONDERFUL and DEVASTATING NEWS!!! 2 weeks since referral… The wonderful news is that we received a medical update on our little Cana (see below entry). God has healed her heart!!! Although there are still some medical …Read More
