In many ways the we didn't choose to adopt Anthony but rather God placed touched my moms heart and she answered the call.We were able to see beyond the medical tubes, poles, medicines but rather we saw Anthony as Anthony. When we first took Anthony into our care he was sitting in the hospital by himself. but I need to make one thing clear, it wasn't because his birth family didn't care that is not the case, in fact his uncle did visit him, it was because they lived on the other side of the state and his birth mom had her own health issues she had to deal with. I personally love and respect Anthony's birth family, it brings a tear to my eye thinking about the love I have for them. I know without a doubt they love Anthony, even to the point of being willing to give him up for Adoption.
During the time that Anthony was in the hospital by himself there where many people who were involved with the care of Anthony but another foster mom T starting to advocate on Anthony's behalf to get foster parents for Anthony. The doctors and staff did not think that he needed a family because the chances of him living where not very high, T didn't give up in fact she and her family would sneak into his his room to rock and hold this sweet baby. The nurses would break rules and hold him singing songs and loving on this sweet baby. finally it was approved through doctors stating that he did need a family. Finally Anthony was placed on a referral list that goes out to social workers and foster parents.
At this time my mom has decided to quit her Job as director and wanted to be a stay at home mom for Charlie and Christopher but also to take in more babies. As she was looking at this list she saw 9 baby's who needed to be placed and a four month old little boy stayed on that list and she kept thinking about him. So my mom called our social worker and stated tat she wanted to look more into this four month old baby boy. Our social work J, was really concerned and did not want to place him with us because he was so sick and we knew that but yet she kept persisting that my parent go and meet this baby. Finally my mom and dad went to go visit this baby boy in the hospital and to say that they fell in love is not enough, this baby captured our hearts and we loved him immediately. I remember holding Anthony for the first time, he was only four kilos but the smile melted my heart.
It didn't take long for my parents to officially say yes, that we wanted to be his foster family. then a few days after my parents committed that Doctors started to ask when we were going to start staying with him in the hospital. Well that didn't take long either. The next night after they asked that, my mom stayed the night with Anthony and my parents made an amazing schedule to make sure that someone was with Anthony at all time while he was inpatient at Children's and someone was at home taking care of Charlie and Christopher.
We endured many months of Chemotherapy, Hospital stays, Transplant, medicines, late nights, surgery after surgery. When my mom first got Anthony my grandma asked my mom what she would do if we he passed away how would we be able to handle it. My mom replied, "We want to show him love so we know they he knew what love was while he was on earth", and that is what my family did. we loved this sweet baby with everything we had and in the end he lived for 2 1/2 year beyond what anyone thought. he was a true joy and had his favorite people his mom-mom, Dad, Sissy, Charwee, Chris, Grandmom, My amy (his favorite nurse and would get mad at her if she was busy on her shift), the three nurses aids he knew by name because he knew they would take him on walks, he aimed to please them!), and many nurses on the Oncology floor, and of course ELMO, big bird and cookie monster.
He touched more hearts and changed the lives of many people, including mine. although he did pass away September 29, 2010, I would do it all over again, no regrets about loving this sweet baby. I still love Anthony and always will. the story of Anthony's life is AMAZING! so many people were involved in his life, it AMAZED ME! In fact I feel so blessed to be Anthony Wesley James sister. I feel like although my heart aches to hold him, the hope of being able to hold him again and play with him is what keeps me going and gives me the courage to move on in life.
He touched more hearts and changed the lives of many people, including mine. although he did pass away September 29, 2010, I would do it all over again, no regrets about loving this sweet baby. I still love Anthony and always will. the story of Anthony's life is AMAZING! so many people were involved in his life, it AMAZED ME! In fact I feel so blessed to be Anthony Wesley James sister. I feel like although my heart aches to hold him, the hope of being able to hold him again and play with him is what keeps me going and gives me the courage to move on in life.
To be asked why would we do this? why would we adopt Anthony, well let me tell sum it up in one word..
LOVE.
LOVE.
