Today a sweet mom and family share about their recent adoption and parenting a child with Spina Bifida. She tells us what helped to make their decision and what life is like. We love this little one and her amazing family!!! Read on, and then think about the cutie at the bottom of the page!!!!
When we first started the adoption process in the Summer of 2013,
like most families, we were overwhelmed with the medical checklist. It
was hard to narrow it down to which special needs we would consider. We
labored over each condition, trying to decide what we could and couldn't
handle and what would be realistic for our family. We skimmed right
over Spina Bifida because it just sounded so scary. The bottom line is
that it was a special need we had no experience with and very little
exposure to. We did not check this as a need that we felt comfortable
with.
Fast forward to the Fall of 2013. Our
paperwork was almost ready to be sent to China. As we waited for the
final piece of our dossier, I saw a little girl on Rainbow Kids that had
the most adorable smile. Her need was Spina Bifida with post-op
meningocele and TCS (tethered cord). When I saw her picture I knew we
were looking at our daughter. I started to research more about this
special need and began to realize how manageable it could be. There were
most definitely many unknowns. There would be questions that couldn't
be answered until we brought her home, but we already loved her and that
love overcame any uncertainties we could have had at the time.
We
traveled to China this summer to finally meet the little girl who had
been in our hearts for so many months. Ever since June 16, 2014 we have
been amazed by her in every way possible. She has absolutely no
limitations. She climbs, runs, jumps and plays like any other child her
age. And at just barely 3 years old she is pedaling and steering a 12"
bike with training wheels. She dresses herself, can bath herself, brush
her teeth, eat with utensils (including chopsticks), use safe scissors
proficiently, and skillfully navigate any playground equipment. Other
than the scar on her back, you would never know she was born with Spina
Bifida.
She is the smartest and most advanced
child in her preschool class. She is speaking English better than some 3
year olds that have spent their entire lives in an English-speaking
culture. She is amazing in every way.
There is a
possibility that she could need surgeries in the future, such as
another detethering of the spinal cord, but for now we are enjoying her
and watching in awe as she shows us daily what a little miracle she is.
I
urge any of you that are on the fence about Spina Bifida to consider
it. Research, talk to others who have experience, and then make a
decision that is right for your family. Not every child with our
daughter's special need will have the same outcome, but they are
generally very intelligent and wonderful little children that just need a
loving home, and someone who can commit to being their parents despite
the unknowns.
See this wonderful family!!!! See the love and laughing! Labels cannot define these amazing children. Read about beautiful Barton below. He needs to be in a wonderful family too!!!!
Barton is a sweet boy who is just over one year old. He is a handsome with a cute little bow shaped mouth and beautiful eyes. He is so so sweet! He can bang together two blocks. He can bear weight on his feet. He is rolling and can get to a hands and knees position. His special need is spina bifida, meningocele and a tethered cord which was treated surgically. He is such a sweetie and enjoys peek-a-boo!
Do you see this cuddly sweet guy? He is so so adorable! Barton is a sweetie who is not defined by any label and needs an amazing family to love him. Could he be your son????
For more information about Barton, please contact, Pat Marcus at patriciamarcuspt@gmail.com
