Baby Judah was born nine weeks before schedule, at the beginning of 2023. His young mother was unprepared for the many medical diagnoses he would receive, including Hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), microcephaly, and a septal defect in his heart.
Judah needed immediate medical interventions and would be in the NICU for several months. His mother spoke with the hospital social worker about her fears around being able to provide Judah with the ongoing care he would need throughout his life. The hospital referred her to a Spence-Chapin social worker, who came to see her right away to provide counseling and support.
When Judah’s mother heard about the Special Needs Adoption Program, she knew that this would be the opportunity Judah needed to receive lifelong medical care in a loving family. After several counseling sessions, she decided to move forward with an adoption plan, indicating the qualities that were most important to her in a family for her son. Spence-Chapin started their nationwide search for Judah, vetting thirteen families over two months.
Judah’s birth mother carefully reviewed the family profiles and one family stood out to her right away. Jennifer and David are a couple who were already caring for adopted children with special needs. Their home, thoughtfully designed to accommodate the unique requirements of their children, provided the perfect environment for Judah’s specialized care.
The family came to the children’s rehabilitation center where Spence-Chapin had worked to transfer Judah so he could continue receiving the medical interventions he needed, and brought him home a few weeks later, in September.
Since being home, Judah has received more diagnoses for his condition, something that his adoptive mother attributes to the attentive care that can only come from being in a family setting. She is quick to praise the children’s hospital where Judah had received world-class care, while also noting that it was not until he was in their home, with the whole family watching him around the clock, that certain ailments he was experiencing became apparent, such as muscle spasms which were causing him pain, and vision issues that would lead to a diagnosis of him being legally blind. His family was able to advocate for him, taking him to various specialists until they had answers on how to help him feel better.
“Nothing is like being in a family,” Jennifer shares, “and having specific parent and family advocates. We’ve learned you have to advocate.”
Now, Judah is doing much better and is able to participate in family activities. He had a big celebration for his first birthday. And one of Judah’s older brothers has formed a very special bond with him.
Baby Judah’s journey has not been easy, but he has already touched so many lives, and through the brave and compassionate decisions made by his family, he is now able to receive the lifelong care and love that he needs and deserves.
Learn more about our Special Needs Adoption Program.
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