With all the negativity that makes it into the news each day, it’s rather refreshing to come across a story that brings a smile to your face. This month, one of those refreshing news stories was not only featured on the TODAY show but was about adoption!
When you are diagnosed with a medical condition it can often be life-changing for not only you but your entire family. Many diseases and disorders require a complete change in lifestyle that requires the assistance or participation of those around them to be successful. One Arizona woman named Kristi, was extremely fortunate who had a family who put her medical needs first when she was diagnosed with Phenylketonuria (PKU) at birth. The genetic disorder, if not treated and monitored could have terrible side effects for her entire life, including metal delays and seizures. Thankfully, her parents made her health a priority and through a specific diet, Kristi was able to thrive and lead full life.
As an adult, Kristi married and decided with her husband that they wanted to start a family. Sadly the couple discovered that with Kristi’s health condition there would be many risks and possible complications with pregnancy, and ultimately it wasn’t a risk the couple wanted to take. The loving couple began opening their home and hearts to foster children. As they fostered, the couple learned of a child with PKU in China who was in need of a home. Already having an understanding of this disorder Kristi and her husband set off to China to adopt! Once there, they decided to adopt two boys with PKU. Thankfully the boys were at an orphanage that understood their medical needs and took care of them until they were adopted. This is unfortunately not the case for all kids with PKU in China. Some children never receive treatment and suffer with health complications because of it. This moved the couple who not only advocated for these children but decided to adopt two more boys with PKU in March 2018.
The whole family is doing well and is very happy together. Kristi is thrilled she could help children who were diagnosed with the same disorder she was and finds adoption to be extremely rewarding.
To learn more about adoptions, contact our Adoptions From The Heart offices in:
Greensburg, PA (Pittsburgh)
1225 S. Main St #207
Greensburg, PA 15601
(724) 853-6533
Philadelphia, PA
30 Hampstead Cir
Wynnewood, PA 19096
(610) 642-7200
Allentown, PA
2212 Union Blvd
Allentown, PA 18109
(610) 432-2384
Chesapeake, Virginia
1407 Stephanie Way #H
Chesapeake, Virginia 23320
(757) 361-0008
Glastonbury, Connecticut
703 Hebron Ave #1
Glastonbury, CT 06033
(860) 657-2626
Harrisburg/Lancaster, PA
1525 Oregon Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 399-7766
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
451 Woodland Ave
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
(856) 665-5655
Wilmington, Delaware
18A Trolley Square
Wilmington, DE 19806
(302) 658-8883
