A boy named Bennett

Last Thursday I opened an email that came from Lifeline.  I knew that it held a list of the waiting children on their list.  Part of me knew better than to look, but I did it anyway.  And toward the bottom of the list a precious little boy reached out and grabbed my heart.

(No, we're not adopting again.  Not yet anyway.  Ian and I both suspect that one day we will.  But right now, for a multitude of reasons, is not the time.)


Anyway, Bennett  caught my attention.  His face looked...well...dare I say?  He looked somehow so familiar.  And what made me really take a second look was his diagnosis.

Congenital glaucoma.

Just over a year ago I thought that glaucoma automatically meant blindness.  Oh how much I've learned since then!

Back then I would have thought, "what a shame that such a darling child has glaucoma" and passed right over him on the list.  (I shudder to think how our lives may have been different right now if Darcy had been diagnosed specifically with glaucoma in her referral paperwork).

But now I'm armed with real information.  And I know that it is treatable.

Is it complicated?  Sure.
(See "An Acronym" and "My Baby's Eyes" for basic glaucoma details).

But what part of parenting isn't?

The point is that glaucoma is manageable.

While we were in China this last time we were told by our guide that children with vision issues are frequently among the children that wait the longest for their forever families.  I don't know if that is true, but it makes sense.  We as humans rely so heavily on our sight.

And then I noticed something I thought was strange to say about a four year old boy.  It said, "Bennett can walk without help.  He can call father and mother..."  I thought to myself, "Well I would hope so if his issue is glaucoma..." 

Then I noticed that his bio information was written in October of 2007.  That means that Bennett has been "paper ready" and waiting for his forever family to come for 2 1/2 years now. 

We have realized that Bennett isn't part of the M______ family.  But he is on our hearts and we feel compelled to pray for him and advocate for his forever family to find him. 

And if God is not calling you to bring Bennett home as part of your forever family, would you please join with me in praying that his family will find him soon!  Because for some reason, as we prepare to head home to be with family for Easter, it is killing me to know that Bennett is waiting for his...

**I have wonderful things to say about Lifeline.  Email me at fireworksandfireflies@gmail.com if you want any information about them as an agency or want to learn more about pediatric glaucoma.  Their China rep can likely get more specific information about how his glaucoma has been treated thus far if necessary.  Lifeline has his file until April 16 and then his referral will go to the shared list.  (At least I pray it will go to the shared list and that Lifeline isn't his last chance at having a family).**
Bennett can