As long as I have breath, I will be an Adoption Advocate, an Orphan Defender and a Special Needs Protector. I can’t stop. I truly can’t. Nor will I. I just won’t.
This past summer as we drove across the country to the east and then to the south and then back west – basically at every stop I told each group about a special little boy named Philip. Perhaps you remember him or recognize his picture below as I’ve advocated for him before. His name is Philip and he waits. Philip has Cerebral Palsy and is in a wheelchair just like our Johnny. For years now Philip has been praying and asking for a family. He knows his fourteenth birthday is fast approaching when he will “age out” and no longer be eligible for a family. I pleaded through tears for someone to consider adopting Philip. I was so very hopeful!! There were a few interested teenagers who drug their parents to meet me and pleaded in front of them – I love, love, loved their hearts!
As it is now, Philip ages out next month. I seriously can’t bear it. If China had not changed their regulations, you can bet I would be begging my bossman to let us go back and get him. All I can say is that it’s not fair. It’s just not. I don’t get it and I can’t pretend to be okay with it. I know God is astoundingly faithful (and I will trust Him) but I just can’t grasp all that it means….it’s literally painful to my heart. And I can’t understand how some can look the other way. I can’t imagine what Philip is feeling. I pray God’s grace is sufficient to soothe the heartache of the painful rejection of not being chosen.
As most know, our family has been impacted by adoption, eleven times over! If it wasn’t such a beautiful blessing, we surely would have stopped ten adoptions ago. Of course there has been trauma, loss and heartache – that’s how a child ends up in need of a family…but it is also all the more reason a child desperately needs a family!
Imagine the trauma, loss and heartache without growing up in the love of an adoptive family!?! Who can fathom those emotions to deal with alone? Add to the tragic mix a very broken body and it all gets that much more complicated.
It literally makes me weep that there are millions of orphans longing for a family, with absolutely no way to find one themselves. They wonder and wait. No doubt, some pray. Most have watched at least one friend leave with their new family. Such unequivocal rejection!
So it is impossible for me to sleep at night without doing all I can to pray for the orphans, advocate for their care and advocate for adoption. There are millions of amazing kids waiting.
In fact meet Patrick! Look at his smile! Patrick is living in the care of International China Concern (just as Philip is). He lives in a group home with consistent caregivers and other high functioning boys. Patrick was born with OI (also known as Brittle Bone Disease). But his only true special need is for a family. Every one who knows him says he is a joy and is well-loved!
So here’s where the rubber hits the road: Would you earnestly pray about adding Patrick to your family? He even has some grants available (see below). I can assure you that the joy you will find in this broken-bodied little guy will outweigh all the “struggles”. Your home will be blessed a billion times over – more than you would ever have imagined, just because you said “yes”.
Time is of the essence as Patrick ages out in July!
Here’s some important financial information as well:
Patrick also has $5000 retroactive grant from LPA (Little People of America). This grant will be given once he is home. The only requirement is that the family become an LPA member.
Some agencies will also provide grants starting at $3000! Erin can help you with which agencies are willing to help with grants for Patrick.
OI is a genetic condition in which the bones are weak, and can break from little or no apparent trauma. OI varies in severity, and there are many different types of OI. The National Genome Research Institute writes “Treatment (for OI) involves supportive therapy to decrease the number of fractures and disabilities, help with independent living and maintain overall health. OI is best managed by a medical team including the child’s own doctor, and genetic, orthopedic and rehabilitation medicine. Supportive therapy is unique to each individual depending on the severity of their condition and their age. Physical and occupational therapies help improve the child’s ability to move, to prevent fractures and to increase muscle strength.” Additionally, sometimes rods are surgically placed to strengthen bones and there is a newer treatment medicine called biophosphonates being used to help with bone formation.
I’m glad you “won’t stop” advocating. I pray you never do. Praying for a forever family to come for Phillip ASAP since he is aging out next month and praying for a forever family for Patrick too!
Praying hard for these sweet boys!!!
Thank you so much Sylvia!! Prayer is all we have, besides advocating. I am thankful that God hears every whisper on these precious boy’s behalf.
Praying too…..
I am in tears! I recognize phillips picture. I want it to be my time to go get my child, but i know its not. But i want a cerebal palsy kid! Even though wheelchairs are still a little “scary” to me, ill get there. I will share and pray. Hey, me sharing a post a while back got a couple kittens adopted, so i know gods got this.