Last April while in the baby room in Zhu Zhou City Hunan I fell in love.. The little heart breaker was a nine month old baby boy... When I walked into the room, he was standing in his walker sobbing.. The site broke my heart.. No Mama or Nanny was there to comfort him. So my Mommy instincts kicked in, and I picked him up... Almost immediately the sweet little face with the most beautiful lips nuzzled into my neck. I could have held him for forever. He was all baby.. Soft, and wonderful.. For one moment, he had a Mama to love him. I found the Asst. Director and asked her what was his special need.. Her reply, "Beta Thalassemia..." She went on to say that she didn't think he would ever get adopted with that special need.... For those of you who don't know, my daughter Sienna Grace, has Thalassemia too. While she does not have "beta" I knew enough about this dis-order to know that this precious little boy that was going to soon be smuggled into my carry-on, was absolutely adoptable. I don't think it was a coincidence that I was in that baby room that day! So, that is where it began... My love affair with Chen Yang Lin! Through my friend and translator Julie Ma, I told this Director just how adoptable he was. I promised her that if they would get him paper ready I would help him find a home... Well guess what, he IS paper ready.. And, his file is sitting at AAI right now. He is on their Individual List. They call him, "Liam." I call him, "Cuddle Bug!"
Since I took on the "Fairy Godmother Role " to Chen Yang Lin that day, I can't stand the thought of him not being matched with his forever! I promised him I would find him a loving family! One that would give him the care he needs, so he can live a normal and healthy life! He deserves that!
For those of you who don't know what Beta Thalassemia is, you can learn more at the Cooley's Anemia site here. (It will sound daunting. Trust me it's manageable!!!) I have had one of my trusted friends, an expert Hematologist/Pediatrician look at Chen Yang Lin's file... In her words, "there is nothing to be anxious about." Based on the fact he is so young, is a very positive thing!!! He will do well with the right treatment plan once he is home!!
So friends out there.. Who is paper ready, or close to paper ready that needs a sweet little one year old to complete their family? Chen Yang Lin will be 2 on July 31st. He shares a birthday with my sweet Ruby Mei!
Thalassemia is a MANAGABLE special need. Most likely his care will involve monthly transfusions. But, once you are on a schedule it is so do-able! There are many amazing Thalassemia families out there who will attest to that. These kids are SPECIAL!!! Brave and incredible! *I am happy to connect you with another family who has a child with Beta Thalassemia.
Please feel free to share this post.. I know there is a special family out there for this sweet little boy. This is what his file has to say about him:
"He is active and lovely,
ready to smile. Every day he will stand with holding the rail after opening his
eyes, smile at the nurturer, occasionally can call “mom”. He is attached to
people, always plays with nurturer mom for a while when put on clothes, can ask
them to kiss him and touch him. Usually he likes crawling on the mat, picks the
toy or pull other kid or stand up with holding without stop. He likes quick
music, can wave his head and clap his hands along the rhythm. He likes watching
cartoon, can stare at TV without blink. He is curious with fresh
things, always looks around when taken out to play."
I know that God had me in that baby room at that very place and time to help this sweet baby boy find his forever! I look forward to seeing God's plan for him! One thing is for sure.. Yang Lin's family is going to be blessed!!
Thank you!
Diana
Omg, wish I was younger. Roger and I would take him in a heartbeat!!!
ReplyDeleteIs he Special Focus or LID-only? What a cutie!!
ReplyDeleteHi! He IS "Special Focus!" Thank you!!
Deletehow much would it cost to adopt him?
ReplyDeleteWe can do this little guy if they're willing to send his paperwork for our agency. We are just about to send in our USCIS. So if you can't find a home for him through your agency maybe they'll transfer the file?
ReplyDeleteOne of my sweet daughters from China has Thalassemia. I had never heard of this special need before we adopted her. We were expecting monthly transfusions when we got her home...she's never had one yet, and she is five years old now!!! We got to the Hematologist every six months to make sure she is okay, and to get her spleen checked.
ReplyDeleteSo far this special need has been very manageable!
I am betting this little guy will not be waiting for his family very long at all. He is so adorable!
We adopted our daughter Avril in July of 2013 (Diana you played a part in this, Xiang Chu Yun :-). She has Beta Thalassemia Major. Honestly, I forget about it most of the time. She's active and 'healthy' and very smart! No one even realizes she has a health concern unless we tell them. Yes, she has more medical appointments than a 'typical' child but both my husband and I work outside the home and have still been able to work them into our schedule. I would adopt Liam without hesitation if we had the funds available! He's really pulling at my heart strings :-)
ReplyDeleteAnyone interested in learning more about having a child with Thalassemia is welcome to contact me with questions - danabeth.clayton@gmail.com
thanks ,,,,,
ReplyDelete