Making the Grade: Special Education and Adoption
September 30, 2016
agenesis of the corpus callosum, autism, brain damage syndrome, cerebral palsy, cognitive delay, developmental delays, early intervention, Education, hypothyroidism, IEP, institutional autism, non-verbal, public school, September 2016 Feature - Back to School
It’s September which means school is back in session. And this month at No Hands But Ours, it’s all about Education. From IEPs to OT, from homeschooling to Early Intervention, we’re covering the gamut of educational topics and how they relate to the unique needs of the children who have joined our families through adoption. …Read More
The Gift of Waiting
September 29, 2016
adopting again, Courtney, paperchase, referral, waiting for referral, waiting to travel
When I was four I asked for a calendar. Just writing that sentence seems ridiculous. I asked my mom to keep track of my activities so I could know which event happened on what day. Sundays and Wednesdays were church and in between there was preschool, a plethora of playdates, and ballet practice. As long …Read More
Epidermolysis Bullosa: “The Worst Disease You’ve Never Heard Of”
September 28, 2016
epidermolysis bullosa, Family Stories, September 2016 Feature - Skin Conditions, Skin Conditions
Epidermolysis Bullosa (ep-i-der-mo-lie-sis bu-low-suh), abbreviated as EB, is a rare, genetic disorder that impacts connective tissue. Approximately 200 children a year in the U.S. are born with EB, and it’s known as “The Worst Disease You’ve Never Heard Of”. Children with EB are referred to as “butterflies” due to the fragility of their skin. There …Read More
Making the Grade: Exporing Special Education Service Options
September 27, 2016
adopting a boy, adopting two at once, cl/cp, Craniofacial, early intervention, Education, feeding/swallowing therapy, IEP, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pre-school, public school, September 2016 Feature - Back to School, speech therapy
It’s September which means school is back in session. And this month at No Hands But Ours, it’s all about Education. From IEPs to OT, from homeschooling to Early Intervention, we’re covering the gamut of educational topics and how they relate to the unique needs of the children who have joined our families through adoption. …Read More
Not Really a Special Need: Adopting a Child with Albinism
September 26, 2016
adopting a boy, albinism, Family Stories, nystagmus, September 2016 Feature - Skin Conditions, Skin Conditions, TVI, vision issues
No Hands But Ours is focusing on skin conditions this month. My son has albinism, but I hesitated to write our story. Heck, our dermatologist has discharged us. If my son ever has a suspicious mole or a serious burn, we’ll go back. Otherwise, I am capable of – the dermatologist pointed out – totally …Read More
Making the Grade: High Fives and Fist Bumps Instead of Hugs, Please
September 25, 2016
attachment challenges, Education, indiscriminate affection, Kelly, pre-school, private school, public school, September 2016 Feature - Back to School
I still remember her. She was the best. My 1st grade self loved her big smile and her early 80s old-lady perm. Everyday, she’d stand by the classroom door at the end of the day and hug each and every one of us. I was excited to go to school everyday because of her and her …Read More
Making the Grade: Choosing a Classical Approach
September 23, 2016
attachment activities, attachment challenges, cocooning, Education, homeschool, indiscriminate affection, Nicole, September 2016 Feature - Back to School
Our decision to homeschool began like many other families’ journeys, I’m sure. We wanted to give our children a Biblical worldview, be a bigger part of their lives (no parents ever regret spending too much time with their children!), and have the freedom to choose our studies based on individual interests. We also hoped to …Read More
Waiting to be Chosen: Annabelle
September 21, 2016
Family Found
Oh my. Meet Miss Annabelle. This sweet baby girl is just one year old, and new to the list at HIC. Annabelle came to the orphanage when she was nine months old, and was found to have Down syndrome, and a CHD (ASD – report is in her file). You can read more about Down …Read More
Our Red Thread of Hope: An Advocacy Success Story
September 21, 2016
adopting a boy, Advocacy, Family Stories, pre-adoption, referral, should we adopt?, switching agencies, waiting for referral
The Chinese have an ancient proverb that says, “An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break.” Back in July 2015, the Lord called our family out of the Ethiopia adoption program, where had waited for over …Read More
Urgent Aging Out Child: Victoria
September 20, 2016
Family Found
Sweet 13-year-old Victoria was found at the age of three, but just now had an adoption file prepared. She is now available to be adopted thanks to a new orphanage partnership with Madison Adoption Associates. Victoria is a Hep B carrier, but is otherwise healthy. She has just under 7 months to find a family …Read More
Making the Grade: Links for Parents of Kids with Special Needs Part Two
September 20, 2016
504 Plan, early intervention, Education, ESL, feeding challenges, feeding/swallowing therapy, first year home, IEP, Jennifer B., occupational therapy, physical therapy, public school, Sensory Processing Issues, September 2016 Feature - Back to School, speech therapy
It’s September which means school is back in session. And this month at No Hands But Ours, it’s all about Education. From IEPs to OT, from homeschooling to Early Intervention, we’re covering the gamut of educational topics and how they relate to the unique needs of the children who have joined our families through adoption. …Read More
Meet the Contributors: Faith
September 20, 2016
Faith, Meet the Contributors
Continuing today with our series in which we share a short Q and A with one of our contributors to give y’all, our faithful readers, a little more behind-the-scenes insight into the amazing group of writers assembled here. And it will also give each of our contributors a chance to share their heart in a …Read More
God’s Path: Adopting a Child with Down Syndrome
September 19, 2016
Developmental System, Down syndrome, Family Stories
Four years ago, we were a family of five. My husband and I had two biological sons who are now 15 and 13 and one daughter who is now ten. We had adopted our daughter from China when she was only one year old. She had a hole in her heart, but God healed her. …Read More
Making the Grade: Links for Parents of Kids with Special Needs
September 18, 2016
504 Plan, early intervention, Education, ESL, homeschool, IEP, Jennifer B., pre-school, public school, September 2016 Feature - Back to School
It’s September which means school is back in session. And this month at No Hands But Ours, it’s all about Education. From IEPs to OT, from homeschooling to Early Intervention, we’re covering the gamut of educational topics and how they relate to the unique needs of the children who have joined our families through adoption. …Read More
Urgent Aging Out Child: Elijah
September 18, 2016
Family Found
Elijah is a boy with a BIG heart who is waiting for his family! If you are thinking of adding to your family then Elijah just might be the one. This boy is AMAZING and has less than a year left for his family to get to him! Elijah was found abandoned at the orphanage …Read More
Our Fair-Haired Hero: Adopting a Child with Albinism
September 17, 2016
albinism, Education, Family Stories, older child adoption, public school, September 2016 Feature - Skin Conditions, Skin Conditions, TVI, vision issues
Her name was spoken to us before we even knew who she was…. We had adopted from China in 2011 and just started the process to adopt again. One night I let myself start thinking about names for our new little one and after spending more time than I care to admit looking at baby …Read More
Making the Grade: Why We Homeschool
September 16, 2016
developmental delays, Education, homeschool, older child adoption, September 2016 Feature - Back to School
It’s September which means school is back in session. And this month at No Hands But Ours, it’s all about Education. From IEPs to OT, from homeschooling to Early Intervention, we’re covering the gamut of educational topics and how they relate to the unique needs of the children who have joined our families through adoption. …Read More
Adoption – The Beautiful Paradox
September 15, 2016
adoption realities, books, Family Stories, Parenting Special Needs
I just flew back from South Carolina. I went there to reunite my daughter with a friend that she had not seen in almost four years. The last time the girls saw each other, they were in an orphanage halfway around the world. The nannies who had raised them pressed the bewildered little girls into …Read More
More than White Hair: Adopting a Child with Albinism
September 14, 2016
albinism, Family Stories, September 2016 Feature - Skin Conditions, Skin Conditions
We didn’t plan to adopt a child with white hair. I wouldn’t assume many do when they consider adopting a child from China. I fell in love with our son Noah’s face and short description one night while perusing the waiting children on RainbowKids. Adoption was something my husband and I had prayed about, discussed …Read More
Celebrating China: Carrot-Ginger Dumplings!
September 13, 2016
Carrie, Chinese Culture, Chinese food, Chinese Holidays, recipes
When it’s time for a Chinese holiday, I think of only one thing… my stomach. Our first Chinese New Year in China was a never-ending stream of every kind of jiaozi (dumpling) imaginable – pork and leek, lamb and cilantro, shrimp and radish, pork and cabbage, pork and cucumber, pork and pork and pork and …Read More
Making the Grade: Educating Liam
September 12, 2016
adopting a boy, Education, ESL, older child adoption, public school, September 2016 Feature - Back to School
It’s September which means school is back in session. And this month at No Hands But Ours, it’s all about Education. From IEPs to OT, from homeschooling to Early Intervention, we’re covering the gamut of educational topics and how they relate to the unique needs of the children who have joined our families through adoption. …Read More
Making Room to Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival
September 11, 2016
Chinese Culture, Chinese Holidays
I’ve been thinking a lot about camping as I prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 15. I love sitting around the campfire with my family after the sun sets and the stars come out. We hold mugs of hot chocolate, nibble on s’mores and steal quick glances up at the moon high overhead. Knowing …Read More
Adorable Scarlett
September 10, 2016
Children Who Wait
Just look at this smile! Two-year-old Scarlett has such a beautiful smile she loves to share with others. Scarlett has Down syndrome and though she is not yet talking, she does have good understanding. Scarlett was in care of the orphanage until May of this year. At that point, she joined a foster family. If …Read More
Urgent Aging Out Child: Lily
September 9, 2016
Family Found
Lily is so close to aging out, she has very little time left to be adopted! Sweet, precious Lily has just four more months until she ages out of the system, disqualifying her from international adoption. Lily is almost fourteen years old and is absolutely beloved by her caregivers. She loves crafts and drawing, and …Read More
Making the Grade: 10 Ideas for Homeschooling Your Adopted Child
September 9, 2016
Education, homeschool, September 2016 Feature - Back to School
It’s September which means school is back in session. And this month at No Hands But Ours, it’s all about Education. From IEPs to OT, from homeschooling to Early Intervention, we’re covering the gamut of educational topics and how they relate to the unique needs of the children who have joined our families through adoption. …Read More
Find My Family: Mia
September 8, 2016
Family Found
Recently turned two-year-old Mia is an absolute doll! Mia has Down syndrome. She can make a few sounds and she understands some of what she is hearing or being told. Mia was moved from her orphanage to an experienced foster home in November of 2015. There she is being spoiled by her foster father who …Read More
Beautiful Scars: Adopting a Child with a Congenital Nevus
September 7, 2016
birthmark, Congenital nevus, Family Stories, giant congenital nevus, medical needs checklist, medical waiver, referral, September 2016 Feature - Skin Conditions, Skin Conditions
When my husband and I first started looking into adoption, we were told that because of my epilepsy, we could only apply for a special focus child. In Adoption circles, Special Focus means either that the child has more than one medical condition, or has a more severe medical condition. Sometimes the label is given …Read More
Find My Family: Seth
September 6, 2016
Family Found
Adorable 22-month-old Seth lived in the orphanage from the time he was a newborn until January or this year. At that time, Seth was put into the care of a foster family and he has been very close with his foster mother from the start. He also likes having a foster brother and his update …Read More
Celebrating Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: A Mooncake Alternative
September 6, 2016
Chinese Culture, Chinese Holidays, Nicole, recipes
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is the second most celebrated Chinese holiday, falling on the 15th day of the 8th month according to the Chinese lunar calendar. This is the date of the Autumn Equinox, when the moon is at its farthest point from the earth and appears to be at its fullest and brightest. In China, …Read More
Adoption Changes Everything
September 5, 2016
adoption realities, Whitney
Now, you know. Not just know with your eyes when you see pictures online. Not just know with your heart as you pray. Not just know with your mind, “Yes, there are orphans”. You. Know. You’ve stood in the rooms full of cribs full of babies. You’ve strained your ears to hear cries that have …Read More
Celebrating Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: Books
September 4, 2016
books, Chinese Culture, Chinese Holidays, Nicole
This year, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival falls on September 15. It is a day of Thanksgiving and gratitude for the Chinese, when families reunite and give thanks for the harvest and family unity. It falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month (in September or October) when the moon is bright and full …Read More
A Beginner’s Guide to Special Needs Adoption: Post Six
September 3, 2016
A Beginner's Guide to Special Needs Adoption, dossier, Faith, homestudy, I'm Ready to Adopt, paperchase, pre-adoption, referral, should we adopt?, waiting for referral, waiting to travel
Becoming a parent, no matter how it happens, is never easy. But for those just looking into the possibility of adoption it can seem positively overwhelming. It is our hope to change all that. This 8-post series will go step-by-step through the process to adopt through the special needs program for those of you who …Read More
Journey to Gabriel: Adopting a Child with Ichthyosis
September 2, 2016
adopting a boy, Family Stories, ichthyiosis, September 2016 Feature - Skin Conditions, Skin Conditions
I love adoption. It’s beautiful. It’s messy. It’s hard. It’s the big stuff — hope, joy, grief, love, sacrifice… wrapped up in one. It makes a world of difference to a child in need. It builds families. It’s an example of God’s handiwork. And being part of anything God does is just, well, awesome. When …Read More