     Monday:  Staying Organized During an Adoption
     Tuesday:  Special Needs Adoption
    Wednesday:  Adoption Challenges
    Thursday:  Homeschooling and Adoption
    Friday:  Adoption and Sensory Issues
When we were first investigating adoption, I didn’t think a special needs adoption would be anything we would ever entertain. Â It seemed too overwhelming and frankly wasn’t for me. Â
It did seem heartless and cold when we had to check the boxes about what we were willing and not willing to accept in a referral. Â But God has a way of softening hearts and changing the things we say “I would never” about.
Special needs adoption is not for everyone, just like not everyone is called to adopt. Â Sometimes, though, we have to remain open to God’s will and sometimes he’s calling us to challenge ourselves in ways we never dreamed.
Sarah changed that “never” for our family. Â As you can read in her story, she was diagnosed with a syndrome she ultimately did not have, yet she has faced other challenges. Â Â Leah was also considered special needs because of an issue in her birthmother’s background. Â When we were discerning her adoption I heard something from Dr. Ray that has stuck with me, he said: “this child will have issues whether they are with you or not, isn’t it so much better to have these issues in the midst of a loving family?” Â We thought so too.
There are many different special needs to consider. Â Since I faint at the sight of blood and medical things in generally cause me anxiety {okay, a lot of anxiety!}, a child with extensive medical special needs was probably not going to be a good fit. Â However, other special needs were doable for us. Â
With neither Sarah or Leah, we didn’t set out specifically looking for a child with special needs, both girls sort of fell into our lap. Â Thankfully, through God’s grace we were open to adding the girls to our family. Â
If you are considering a special needs adoption, I would encourage you check out both RainbowKids and Reece’s Rainbow for more information. Â Talk to families who have adopted a special needs child and see how life really is, the ups and downs – the blessings. Â
What an amazing quote from that Dr. Ray! Love that guy! I remember having the same cold hearted guilty feelings as we checked off certain boxes. I had to quickly come to grips that we need to be honest with ourselves and what we can handle so we don’t end up making life harder for the child, ourselves, and the others in the home (if there are any.)
I appreciate his wisdom too! And he’s funny 🙂
This is such a great series! I love Reece’s Rainbow – and would love to adopt special needs if the opportunity came up. It would be hard with some physical disabilities – I admit. That part has me scared. But if God has led you to it, he will see you through it!