When we made the choice to adopt a child with special needs from Ukraine, there were two questions we began to hear often. Why are you adopting internationally? Why are you adopting a child with cerebral palsy?

Here is why:

1. When our youngest daughter was born with Down syndrome, she opened our eyes to a world we once could not see; the world of disability.

We soon learned that in Eastern Europe, children with special needs are sent to orphanages, and between the ages of four or five, they are transferred to mental institutions. Their lives are considered worthless, they have no hope or a future. And we knew better, we knew that there was great value in our daughter’s life and in the lives of all those children with disabilities.

2. We were ready to expand our family.

Like many other parents, we felt ready for another child to join our family. The question was, did we want to have another biological child, or did we want to adopt. Knowing what we knew about the fate of children with special needs in eastern Europe, we began leaning towards adoption.

3. We were familiar with disability.

We didn’t claim to be experts, but we already had a child with special needs. We were familiar with navigating the different therapies, like occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and we also knew about extra doctor visits. We also knew that in some ways our family would always be a little different, whether we had one or two children with special needs.

4. We felt this was what God wanted us to do

We prayed about this choice, we asked our family and close friends to pray with us too. We knew we could not afford the adoption on our own, and God provided by using the generosity of other people.  And one thing we have learned is that where God leads, he provides.

5. We were willing.

We knew we were not perfect, and cerebral palsy was not our expertise. But we were willing to do it. We were willing to take a child with a disability into our home and make her our very own. We believed she was worth it, and we believed she deserved a family, someone to love her and protect her. Someone to stand up with her and cheer her on. Someone that would believe in her full potential. So we did.

It has not been easy. Nothing has stretched me more than adoption. Nothing has been more frustrating and challenging. But it has been worth it, Nina is worth it. When we were in the process of getting to Ukraine, I thought I loved Nina, then we met her and I discovered I only loved the idea of Nina. Today I love this little girl because she is my daughter, and I will do whatever I can do to make her life better. I am her mother, just as much as I am the mother to my biological children. And her cerebral palsy is not what defines her, it is only a part of who she is. It is a part of life.

November is Adoption Awareness Month. If you have any questions, share those in the comments or send me a message.