For most of us, family is the center of our lives. They’re the people who care about us and know us best.
Ryan is a teenager who lost both his parents in less than two years. Ryan also has Down syndrome.
This kind of loss is devastating, of course. Ryan’s relatives were not able to take him in. So Ryan was placed temporarily into a home. But they weren’t able to care for him in the long term, either.
A musical match
Ryan loves music and had been attending a music class. One of his classmates belongs to a large family – six children, three of them adopted. The music teacher admired the classmates’ parents, Scott and May Johnson.
The music teacher reached out to Scott and May, “I know adoption is a big part of your life, and a lot of your children have special needs. Would you be interested in taking Ryan into your family?”
Scott and May said yes. The music teacher gave Ryan’s social worker their contact information and Scott and May were referred to Wayfinder for a foster family assessment.
As soon as they met him, Scott and May fell in love with Ryan.
Scott loves to play with the kids. He and Ryan developed a special bond immediately. May is very tender and loving … and also an organizational genius. (You’d need to be with six children!)
Then, as they were preparing to welcome him, they learned that Ryan has a younger sister – also with Down syndrome. Sierra had ended up in a group home.
So when they learned about his sister, they knew she had to join them as well. This loving couple adopted Ryan with a beautiful ceremony. And they plan to adopt Sierra as well.
The adoption ceremony was very sweet. His biological grandmother and cousins attended as well. As papers were signed, Ryan hugged his new dad.
And his new siblings held a sign that read, “Once a Johnson, always a Johnson.”
A loving family is their new home
Ryan and Sierra’s new family have a lot of outdoor space, and animals! Goats, chickens and dogs. They also have a pool that the kids love. It’s a full, happy home and Ryan and Sierra are thriving.
Ryan needed some surgery recently. So his parents made him a special book to explain what would happen. After going through so much trauma, they wanted to be sure everything was easy for him to understand.
The love you help to share
It’s not easy for everyone to open their hearts and home to adoption. But Ryan and Sierra found their forever family and we’re so glad!
Placing children who need homes is one of the many ways your support makes lives better. With your generosity, Wayfinder can provide guidance, resources and support to foster and adoptive families so they succeed in providing a safe, loving home for children. We’re so grateful to you!
*names and some details have been changed for privacy
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October 17, 2024