This couple thought that they would change the life of this limbless Filipino baby but little did they expect, it would also change their lives forever.
When baby Maria was 6 months old, she was placed in an orphanage in Silang, Philippines named Chosen Children Village. She is beautiful perfect aside from she was born without limbs.
In October 2014, a couple from West Jordan, Utah, Adrianne and Jason Stewert, stumbled upon a photo of Maria while looking at the list of children who were awaiting adoption. Upon seeing her photo, they in love with Maria. Adrianne said:
“She had one of the most beautiful smiles and at the time we weren’t really planning on adopting a special needs child but we just in love with her. We just knew we needed her to be part of our family.”
At that time, the couple got two girls and adopted a boy from the Philippines named Joshua. The couple faced an important decision in adopting a child with special needs. Still, the couple pushed through by adopting Maria.
On Facebook, Adrianne wrote:
“We knew that we could love her and that loving her was what mattered most!”
After a year, the Stewert family traveled to the Philippines to bring little Maria home in October 2015. Finally meeting little Maria, all their worries and doubts went away. Adrianne said:
“Even meeting her for the first time, you think she’d be scared and nervous to meet strangers, I mean, she’d seen a picture of us. But she did so well and she was so happy and smiling for us and it was really amazing.”
They brought innocent Maria in Utah and it took a while for Maria to adapt with her new home. There were challenges that the family faces during this transition but it doesn’t stay long for Maria brought so much light and joy.
After a year, Adrianne shared a video of their experience in hopes that it will also inspire others to adopt children with special needs.
Despite her disability, Maria manages to be normal like other kids do. Adrianne said:
“She’s doing all the same things as our other kids, just in a little bit different way.”
In fact, at the age of 3, Maria attends preschool and has regular physical, speech, and occupational therapy sessions once a month. She also loves playing stuffed animals and fan of 80s music.
Adrianne wrote:
“She has made each of us better. She has taught us to find joy in small things, to not be sad or disappointed by what we don’t have, and to not take for granted the things we do have. The most important thing she has taught us is that we are all so much more capable than we think we are.”
Watch the video:
Jason and Adrianne Stewart adopted two Filipino children with medical conditions. Here's their story of love: #ANCRecap #ANCHeadstart
Posted by ANC 24/7 on Wednesday, December 20, 2017
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