At any rate, there were a few family members did not know about our adoption and so we shared of course.
While I was talking about how children with disabilities (child with Down syndrome) are often abandoned at the hospital and that their birth parents are ENCOURAGED to leave their babies...
At that moment, it hit me, my cousin Michael, who was born with Spina Bifida, would be on that same list of "unwanted" as Joseph if they had been born "over there". Michael is witty, funny, a bit of a rascal and all boy and a wonderful young man. It hurt my heart even more to know that somewhere, over there, he would not be valued and left in a laying crib day in and day out.
The Godlessness is so heavy sometimes. Disabilities are nothing new to me. I have a cousin who is cognitively delayed and I have loved Patty always. My first husband has a brother who suffered a brain injury following birth and had grand mal seizures daily and was profoundly cognitively delayed. Jeffy was raised at home, I have so much thankfulness to their family for showing me how to LOVE and RAISE a child with disabilities at home.
I am so grateful to be born in a place where I am allowed to openly LOVE my child and advocate for those considered less than perfect and unworthy in other countries. I am so grateful God has called me to this mission of adoption, even though it has been rough--very rough at times. I am so grateful for this journey and the people I have met that are willing to walk this treacherous mile too.
God bless you all.
"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)
3 comments:
I feel that way every time I see my campers. Those kids would be dead if they were born in EE, or most of them would be. Including Tommy, who is 11 and has taught me more than I can explain. Will, who lights up my day with his smile. and my precious teens with DS. Nick and Lee, who are indescribable in their capacity to love..
Thank you for this post. and I can't wait for you to get your guy home!
Spot on Christie! 1983 in St. Louis: my cousin was born blue with dysmorphic facial features and webbed fingers/toes. As the NICU team rushed him off to surgery to provide him an airway, the OB said "well, this one is not compatible with life". Pat has a relatively severe form of Aperts Syndrome. My Aunt and Uncle fought hard, taking shifts throughout the first two years of his life to keep him alive. At 28 years of age, Pat is living as independently as possible. He is loved by all who encounter him. If it was up to the OB or if this was E.E., he would have died within minutes. "All Are Worthy" is forever stamped in my heart and my daily mantra.
When I share different adoption stories with Mark, he often comments on how blessed we are that God chose to give us to Lily here in the USA where yes, we are free to LOVE them.
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