Wordless Wednesday {Gwen}

Read more about Gwen here.

Why In The World? {Taiwan Family Story}

There are many children with Down syndrome or other similar special needs in Taiwan waiting for their forever families. If you are interested in learning more about Taiwan adoption, or the waiting children in Taiwan, please contact Taiwan Program Caseworker Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org.

Note: The photos in this post are not of Kaden, they are of a little boy in Taiwan whom we met in September. 

One mother’s letter of support to others thinking about adopting a child with Down syndrome.

We have a biological son and our daughter is adopted from South Korea.  We were in the process of prayerfully considering our second adoption, never expecting to have another child of our own.  Little did we know, God had other plans for our family and we found out we were expecting.  After many tests and sonograms, we learned in the Spring of 2010 that our son would be born with Down Syndrome and have 2 different heart conditions. 

We heard many comments from Drs. over the months that were less than supportive -- you name it, we heard it!  While it was not easy, we brushed off each and every comment the OB/GYN Doctors had to say to us, just because our son happened to have an extra chromosome.  Caleb was truly a VERY unexpected gift and we loved him so, including his older brother and sister!  After two open heart surgeries, Caleb climbed into Jesus' lap after being with us for a little over a year.  Caleb had taught us in only 414 days that not only could we care for a child with Down Syndrome, but that they had a lot to teach us as well.  He never spoke a word or even learned to sit up, but he taught us more and showed us what true unconditional love is in a very short amount of time!  After months of grief in our family, we knew full well we were not "done".  As time lifted some of our grief, we began to realize that we were still meant to adopt again, but this time we were to adopt a little one with special needs.  Something we would have never considered for our family before Caleb.

We fell in love with a little guy who was featured on Reese's Rainbow, as well as Rainbow Kids!  We inquired and filled out information about our family and a couple weeks later, we were told that we had been chosen by the birth family to raise Kaden. The process began and we were off to the races!  International adoptions have many twists and turns and many times where we had to hurry up and wait...but on the other end of the paper trail is a beautiful child needing a home.  Kaden had a mom, dad, older brother and sister who could not wait to bring him home.  The process took 14 months, but thankfully the agency in Taiwan was good about sending updates, pictures and videos, almost every month!  We could not wait for those updates each time!!  After 14 months, we finally brought Kaden HOME and a little piece of our broken hearts was filled again.

Sure, it is not easy raising a child with special needs, but what child is easy?!  Our greatest challenges have been with insurance when something like physical therapy is not billed right!  :)  
Kaden brings so much joy to our lives each and every day.  He runs to his daddy when he walks into the door after a long day at work.  He makes us laugh at the dinner table every night.  He amazes us with his strength and determination every day!  What is different about a child with Down Syndrome...absolutely nothing!  He may need a little extra therapy at school or a little extra help with forming his words.  He may need a little extra time potty training or learning how to tie his shoes, but he teaches US more every day then we can even describe.  We have determined after two and half years with K that the extra 21st chromosome is made up of mostly love (the other portion is made up of stubbornness:).

Did we ever think when we got married that we would have a special needs child...no!  But are we thankful that we have been blessed to raise a child with special needs...absolutely!  We are better for it, our other children are better for it.

So, in the end, why in the world would you want to adopt a child with Down Syndrome?  Because you can!

Josh

Josh is a super cute 2 year old boy who is described as active and cheerful with a ready smile. He likes to sing and dance and his favorite toys are blocks.

Josh has complex CHD as well as a repaired hernia and hand deformities.

He is walking independently and can go up and down steps. He speaks in 3-5 word sentences and can express his needs in words.

Josh needs a family who will love him and be sure he gets the medical care he needs! Could he be your son? Please contact April Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org for more information!

Adoptive Parent's Conference! {AKA Meet Superkids Volunteers!}

We are so excited to be presenting at the Adoptive Parent's Committee Conference in New York City next weekend! Both Keely O'Dell and Erin Martin plan to be there with April Uduhiri, Wendy Stanley, Leta White, and Mary Chapman. We will be holding a workshop in the afternoon, but we will also be available to talk about Superkids and China adoption throughout the day. We are planning leave our lunch hour open so we have time to visit with anyone who wants to join us!

We are thrilled about this opportunity and hope to meet some of you there!

Come Join The Adoptive Parents Committee Inc., 

on Sunday November 22, 2015 at the 35th Annual APC Adoption Conference!

 Doors Open At 8:00AM 

St. Francis College Brooklyn, NY

 Key Note Speaker: Pat O’Brien President Citizens Coalition Of Adoptable Children, National Child Advocate Of The Year 2015 

For More Information Please Call (212) 304-8479 

Register Online! www.adoptiveparents.org 

70 Workshops, 35 Exhibitors & A Bookstore All In One Place, For One Day!

Webinar Time!

It is almost time for our monthly Superkids Spotlight webinar!

Join Superkids Pediatric Physical Therapist Keely O'Dell for an informative series on common medical needs seen in children available for adoption. Our November webinar will focus on children with neurological issues, specifically those related to the spine. 

Superkids Spotlight: Neurological Conditions Part Two - Getting to Know the Spinal Cord and Nerves

Adoptive mom, Jenny Calfee will be joining us to share her family's experience adopting a child with Brachial Plexus.

We will also be sharing some kids who are available for adoption!

Join us on Friday, November 20, from 1-2 PM EST

Register here!!

Update Time For... Gayly!

Gayly is a gorgeous 5 year old girl. She has post-operative complex CHD and developmental delays. Please watch her video and share it to help us her family! You can contact April Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org for more information!

Thankful Thursday {#gratefulfor}

Right up at the top of our list of things we are #gratefulfor is...

Well...

YOU!

Each time we go to China and Taiwan we come to you asking for donations to take with us, each time our list is taken care of in short order. You bless us with financial donations, making our trips possible. You come up with fundraising ideas like being a charity organization in the NYC Marathon the other week. Some of you make sure that you bump our kids to the top of advocacy groups regularly. It all makes a difference and I'm proud to be a part of this community!

Playing with Legos, one of the many donations we took on our last trip.

You read, you share...

But more than all of that, you love our kids.

We meet these wonderful children and we fear just a bit that we will not be able to communicate their unique preciousness to you. We introduce them to you and time after time, you read, you share, and you fall in love. Child after child is seen for who they are. They are loved for who they are. Their family steps forward and they are brought home to flourish.

And for that, we are forever grateful!

What are you #gratefulfor today? Tell us on our Facebook page or comment here!