| The Duryea Family |
 |
In March of 2003, we made the journey of love to China to receive our first adopted daughter, Hannah Min, from Hunan Province. In October 2005, we made the journey again to adopt our second adopted daughter, Rebekah Lu, from Hubei Province.
While we were visiting Hannah’s orphanage, we noticed two toddler boys with cleft lips/palates. Our hearts were changed forever, and the Lord placed adopting a special needs boy on our hearts. We never thought that we would ever consider having a child with special needs.
In September of 2006, we were excited to get a phone call from Karla holding a picture of a boy with a cleft lip/palate. He was 22 months old. She asked us if we would consider adopting him. We were so amazed because we already had five children, but excited about having six children. The one thing we didn’t know was that there was another family adopting a little boy with the same special need and would be traveling with us. Again? We were thrilled and blessed that we would be traveling to China with the Hedden family and with the Rusch family. Also, we brought our three oldest children with us and we all had wonderful time. We loved the people, culture and the friendships we made.
We left for China and arrived in Beijing because we wanted to see the Great Wall and other sights again. We also visited Tiananmen Square, The Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, and the Olympic Stadium. Nathan didn’t cry until we were in our room and he realized that he was staying with us. He kept pointing toward the door while little streams of tears rolled down his cheeks. Instead of laying him in the crib we lay next to him on the bed and rubbed his back to help him sleep.
The next morning we gave him a bottle and he busied himself around the room. He was curious about everything, but still pointed toward the door. He bonded quickly with mom and dad and, of course, he loved playing with our other children. As with our other two daughters, he began to bond with us while we were still in China. He was somewhat underweight, so we gave him a bottle on demand. We made sure we brought formula, a pigeon nipple/bottle (for cleft lip/palate), hip sling, toddler food and snacks. Also, we figured out that he didn’t like bland food, therefore, giving him a bottle helped his nourishment when he became a picky eater. He probably was upset and didn’t feel like eating either. By the time we arrived in Guangzhou he was smiling, playful and enjoyed walks in the stroller.
We had a chance to visit the orphanage. It was clean and neat. It had a preschool room and outdoor play equipment. We met his nanny and preschool teachers and were able to thank them for their outstanding care of our children. We saw his room, roommates, and his crib. This orphanage had 600 special needs waiting for a forever family. We were all heart broken to see these children waiting for a family as the world goes about the business of life. It was the most heart wrenching experience of our lives. The nannies and staff did an excellent job in caring for these children and giving them all the love they can give. If you are considering adopting a special needs child, think of the life you can give a child who would otherwise have no chance in life.
Since we’ve been home he has developed rapidly by gaining six lbs. It has been wonderful to watch him grow and experience the world around him. Nathan saw the leaves blowing in the wind it made him smile and laugh. Maybe it was the first time he had ever seen the leaves blowing in the wind. He also loves swimming, swinging and playing outside. All of the children love to play with and take care of their baby brother, even our other two year old daughter.
The orphanage took him to the hospital when he was ten months old to repair his cleft lip and palate. He will have plastic surgery on his lip because they are somewhat uneven. When he is six years old he will have surgery on his nose to make his nostrils even as well. He’s been to speech pathologist who recommends early intervention speech therapy for him. We knew he would need this because of his cleft lip/palate.
However, my nephew was adopted from Russia at 20 months old (not special needs) and my sister-in-law said that older adopted children need some speech therapy.
There is something incredibly wonderful when your child is placed in your arms forever, whether it is through adoption or birth. Nothing in this world can ever compare with it. People always ask us, “Isn’t it a lot of work having six kids?” We reply, "Sure it’s work, but it’s worth it". We wouldn’t have our lives any other way. Adopting was one of the best things we’ve ever done.
We would like to thank Zhou for all you do. You are truly AWESOME and we love you! We would like to thank Margaret, Chris, Karla and EAC for all your dedication, hard work and making our adoptions possible. You are truly WONDERFUL!
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.
The Duryea Family
David and Laura
Adam, Ethan, Sarah, Hannah, Rebekah and Nathan
Go Back to China Special Needs Front Page |
