Miscarriage is a heartbreak that can take years to leave your heart. Having two daughters, Tessa and Ruby, brought the family immense joy. The journey of parenthood, especially being parents to two beautiful girls, was a total bliss. However, the family had serious health complications, and it felt like the family was still incomplete. The decision to adopt was something they had thought about, and it brought great joy that destiny had planned it for them.

In 2010, they adopted their first child, Leo. Just a few years later, in 2013, another child permanently became a part of the family, Kamari, whom they lovingly call Kiki. However, they decided not to stop yet as the number of children grew; it felt like the happiness was growing too; thus, in 2017, the couple adopted Emmett.
In 2018, the urge to adopt another child arose again, but this time, they chose a baby with special medical needs. They wanted a child who does not just need a home, care, and love.

Byron was all in on the decision and supported his wife. Within a few days, the couple contacted an adoption agency, Gladney Center, based in Texas. It was a lengthy process as everything had to be done under a medically fragile program. Four months later, their world felt brighter when they finally received the call from the agency. It was a 4-month-old baby who was diagnosed with diastrophic dysplasia, a form of dwarfism. Without a second thought, the couple agreed to adopt her as they had been waiting for the call for long enough now.

The form of Dwarfism is rare as it has several adverse effects on the person, from stunted growth to affecting the joints and bone health. It also affects the patient’s mobility. Byron, an amputee, could understand how such a life feels, and the couple was all set to make Ivy a permanent part of their beautiful home. On June 4, 2019, Ivy came home for the first time.
The house now felt fuller, and their lives felt brighter. Unfamiliar faces and new surroundings did scare the baby a little, but she took the day adjusting herself and was soon bonding with the family members.

The first morning, she passed Kari a bright smile that she craved seeing. The family does not just provide her with all the love and care they can; they take their time and put in constant efforts to navigate through her health condition.
On social media, they found Dr. Mackenzie, who works at a hospital in Delaware. She was the one who could make things easier for her. Thus, the couple was set to see her without caring about the travel time! Soon, physical therapy began, and while even at 6 months, Ivy could not sit by herself and make a lot of movements, she soon met the milestone!

The quote that good things take time perfectly fits the baby’s condition. Not just this, the couple’s hearts rose with joy when they started to see the baby walk using the PVC pipe that Byron purchased for her.
Although the pain was chronic and there were many more worries that night, the couple prepared for it all with the same amount of strength and love. They firmly believe that adopting a child does not just mean making the baby a part of the family; it also brings with it great responsibility. The mother also mentioned how the presence of Ivy in the family has brought immense love and remarkable resilience in each family member.
