There are millions of children awaiting a family and as you begin the process or have already been through it and choose to search waiting child lists, you’ll see the sad faces of thousands of children. Each one waiting for the one thing that all of us are able to give to them – a family.
Sometimes there’s a child’s photo and story that just kick you right square in the gut. For quite a few of us in the advocacy community, that child was Hope.
While Hope is obviously not her given Chinese name, it is actually quite fitting because what she did need was hope.
Beautiful baby Hope was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and was never treated. Untreated hydrocephalus without any medical treatment can lead to scary circumstances pretty quickly, and it appears that Hope had some form of a stroke. Five months ago, the update that was placed in Hope’s file stated that she was very weak and was no longer able to walk or even to sit on her own. Baby Hope couldn’t even swallow or drink from a bottle as she had previously.
Baby Hope needed hope – and lots of it.
I wrote about Hope earlier and it was featured on No Hands But Ours. I asked for prayers for Hope as an update was requested in hopes of getting her into a hospice home where she could live out her remaining days knowing how loved she is. The prayers that were said for Hope were immeasurable. Adoption advocates and parents offered financial donations for Hope’s care.
Weeks past, then a month, and while the prayers continued, an update was never given. The worst of news was anticipated.
On Wednesday, Lifeline received an update on Hope. Not only was she living, but the orphanage had committed to rehabilitation for her and had provided a video of her trying so hard to walk by using a baby walker. It indeed is a miracle! The fact that this little angel survived and that her orphanage was able to commit the funds and the time to help her on a one-to-one basis is extraordinary!
Here is a snippet from her Wednesday update: “Now she can swallow, she can have noodles and rice paste. Her motor function is also getting better. She can stand for a few minutes when she holds the handrail. She can walk freely in the walker. She holds the adult’s hand and is re-learning how to walk. She also has progress with her language. She can say “ah’, “baba”,”dandan” etc. If you call her name, she will turn to you and look at you. When she sees acquaintance, she will say “ah” actively. It seems that she is greeting them.”
We have indeed witnessed a miracle in and of itself! Praise God!
This sweet and beautiful little girl is a fighter and we’ve all seen that God has big, big plans for this little one. Now she needs a family to come forward for her so that she can thrive and grow in the arms of a mother and a father.
An account is currently being set up for Hope’s adoptive family-to-be on Reece’s Rainbow and a t-shirt fundraiser is in the works to help the family that steps forward for Hope with their expenses.
Hope needs a family to step forward for her now. She needs a family that is willing to expedite their process and get to her as quickly as possible.
For your 30 Day Share Adoption Challenge, please consider sharing Hope’s story, and praying that a family will come forward for her quickly. She is a miracle and clearly God has big things planned for this beautiful girl!
Hope is on the shared list. If you have any questions about Hope, please contact contact me or Brooke Henningfeld.
— Kelli Bloomquist
What is the adoption process and cost?
Does the 30-year-old minimum age still stand in Hope’s case?
What would the expedited process look like? Cost?