J's Story

J was abandoned at a local hospital when he was a baby. Like so many of our kids with special needs, his family probably started to realize that his development was not like other kids. At a year old, he wasn’t taking his first steps, saying his first words or starting to feed himself. 

He was different. And as is so often the case, J’s differences were not seen as a good thing. His family was probably told, over and over, that J’s special needs were the result of sin or a curse placed on his family. Neighbors probably mocked, questioned and judged. Even those who didn’t were likely to recommend orphanage care for J, recognizing the challenges, but not understanding the potential.  

I have no doubt that his parents loved their little boy. That they had big plans for him and wanted the absolute best for him. But they had no resources. No specialists to help understand J’s special needs. No support groups to talk through their experience in parenting him. No equipment to help support J’s sitting, eating or bathing. No school programs to help him learn.

And so they made the heartbreaking decision to give away their little boy, leaving him in the hospital with the hope that someone would take him and raise him. With the hope that someone, somewhere would be able to give J everything that they couldn’t. With the hope that they were making the right decision.

J came to us when he was just a year old. Last month, we celebrated his eighth birthday. We love celebrating J, but every year, especially on that day, our hearts are a little sad because we have to acknowledge that it is another year J has spent without a forever family. And if we’re being really honest on these birthdays, our hearts are also a little doubtful that J will be one of the chosen ones. It’s what we want for him. It’s what he deserves. It’s what he needs. He was designed for a family and we want that so much for him, even though we doubt sometimes. We want someone who will claim him as their forever son and will love him and advocate for him with everything that they are.

J has been with us longer than any of our other kids. If you’ve ever been to COTP, you’ve probably met him, and he’s probably smiled at you. J is an absolute sweetheart who is almost always happy. He may not be able to talk, but he is an excellent communicator. If his friend K is sick for a few days, J smiles less. If you don’t greet J when you walk into his house, he’ll watch you until you do. If you are sitting with him and put him down before he’s ready, he’ll cry until you pick him up again. If you give him medicine and he doesn’t want it, he will spit it back out. If you sing, “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho,” he will instantly grin. If the other kids offer him kisses on the cheek, his face will light up with a smile.

This little boy is definitely a blessing. He is pushing us to do more, to be better. He is teaching us to love well, advocate passionately and pray continually. He is so much more than just a child with special needs. He’s a little boy created in the image of his God and we absolutely love that about him.

 



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