Have You Ever Seen a Bigger Smile?

I've seen more than a dozen pictures of this little guy, taken over several years. And the smile is ALWAYS the same: ear to ear, with happy eyes. This little boy is called "Matthew" by the staff and volunteers at an orphanage in a remote location in China. When the volunteers of Annabelle's Wish first met him, he couldn't walk. His little feet and legs looked rail-thin and under developed. I'd guess open spine. I'm entitled to guess this because my own daughter's legs at this age were much the same (but please don't tell her I said that-she knows it, but she'd rather hide that fact because most people don't realize she has spina bifida and tethered cord syndrome). But back to Matthew.

Matthew has never had medical care; he's never-to the knowledge of the orphanage staff-seen a doctor. Or a nurse. Or a dentist. The Executive Director of Annabelle's Wish (see www.annabelleswish4orphans.org), Jeannie Butler, was able to obtain a walker for Matthew, and boy! did it ever make a difference in his life! He could actually hang out on two feet rather than always sitting on the sidelines.

My heart aches for Matthew. I so much want Matthew to find an adoptive forever family who would provide love and support, and-just as importantly-medical care. The simple facts are these: without medical treatment and care for his under-developed feet and legs, and because he is exposed to very primitive conditions, he could very well get a foot infection that could mean the end of his life. According to medical experts with whom I've discussed this matter in years past, the lower extremities of people with spina bifida often have loss of circulation and sensation. Thus, their feet and legs don't heal like the average healthy individual. It's the same way diabetics must take special care of their feet-an infection could turn nasty very quickly.

So each time the volunteers of Annabelle's Wish go to China to deliver goods to the orphanages in remote villages and return with new pictures of Matthew, I am relieved. Any time I'm having a bad day, I only need to look at a picture of Matthew, and my bad day flies away. I know what kind of pain my daughter endures, and I can tell you, she is my hero. She never complains about pain, and, again, according to her doctors, she's lived with pain since she pushed her way into this world 29 years ago. She lives with back pain and feet pain and leg pain. But she's a brave, uncomplaining, inspiring woman. Which means Matthew, too, likely lives with pain. But it never shows on his little face.

Why am I writing this? Because my heart wants Matthew to find a family. Because I want that little boy to have a chance to live a "normal" life. Because someone who can bring this kind of joy, despite his challenges, is a gift from God and deserves the chance to share that joy.

At 54, I'm too old to adopt Matthew. Even if the rules for Chinese adoption would be bent for a special needs or older child, I couldn't give this little boy all he deserves. But I hope that someone can. I hope that someone reading this-or someone forwarding it to someone else to read-can give Matthew the future he deserves. Thank you.