Three years ago today, unbeknownst to us on the other side of the world, the little girl who would soon be joining our family was released from the hospital and returned to her orphanage. She had been taken to the hospital on June 18 after waking up during the night in great pain. We knew nothing of these events until after we had brought her to our hotel room in November of 2007 - five months later. I found the fresh scars when I took her to the bathroom for the first time, and it scared me beyond words! .
After we insisted on knowing the details and pushing until we found someone to help us, we learned that she had been kicked by another child at the orphanage and suffered a broken leg. This happened on June 18, the same day that we had learned (on the other side of the world) that we were the first family to inquire about adopting this little girl who we had seen in a photograph. We were all experiencing great excitement and anticipation, while at the same moments, she was terrified and suffering. It all seems so bittersweet looking back now.
.After we insisted on knowing the details and pushing until we found someone to help us, we learned that she had been kicked by another child at the orphanage and suffered a broken leg. This happened on June 18, the same day that we had learned (on the other side of the world) that we were the first family to inquire about adopting this little girl who we had seen in a photograph. We were all experiencing great excitement and anticipation, while at the same moments, she was terrified and suffering. It all seems so bittersweet looking back now.
Above are some photographs of her scars, which are quite significant. I didn't take any early on when we returned home, but they were obviously still pink and puffy then. These photos were taken in March 2008. It has continued to heal and it does not seem to effect her in any way, but it has left marks that will last a lifetime - for all of us.
