International adoption story
From Waiting Child to Team USA:
A China Special Needs Adoption Story
“You have to follow your dreams, don’t give up. Disability does not mean you can’t do anything, you still have ability.” – Matt Crossen, Team Great Britain at the 2016 Paralympic Games
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OUR STORY
How Lisa and Mark Found Zeb on China's Waiting Child List
Back in 2006, Lisa and Mark Pfenning had waited quite a long time to be matched as adoptive parents to another child from China. At the suggestion of Vickie from Hand In Hand’s Indiana office, Lisa and Mark decided to look into the waiting child list, which includes children with medical challenges.
Vickie presented the Pfennings with several different children on the list and let their daughter Zoe pick who was going to be her sibling. Perhaps Zoe has a future as an athletic talent scout, because a decade and a half later, her brother Zebidiah is on the verge of some amazing accomplishments on the track.
What a Limb Difference Diagnosis Meant for Zeb's Adoption
Zebidiah was 15 months old when he came home to Indiana with the Pfenning family. Although doctors have never been sure how it happened, Zeb didn’t have a left foot. At first, Lisa admits, it was a little scary before bringing Zeb home because she didn’t know exactly what to expect.
Adaptive Equipment, Surgery, and Learning to Run
As Zeb grew up, doctors tried several times to fit him with adaptive equipment to help him be active, but nothing worked quite right. Then, when Zeb was 6 and 7, he had two surgeries that helped him wear a running leg. At age 7, Zeb ran for the first time.
From Adopted Son to Team USA Paralympic Hopeful
Now 13, Zeb is chasing dreams and thrashing records in track and field every time he competes. Most recently, Zeb was selected to represent Team USA at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports (IWAS) Federation’s 2020 World Games in February in Thailand. He will compete in the 100, 200, and 400 meter races, as well as the long jump.
Being the champion that he is, though, Zeb isn’t ready to rest on those accomplishments. Without skipping a beat, he’s the first to tell you that he has even loftier goals. That’s because this is the first time that Zeb is potentially eligible to qualify for the 2020 Paralympic Games, to be held in Tokyo the coming summer right after the Olympics. Should he qualify at the US Trials in Minneapolis in June, Zeb would be among the youngest ever to compete in the Paralympic Games.
“I remember the days leading up to getting him. How is this going to work and look?” Lisa reflects. “And now, he’s trying to make the Olympic team.”
Don’t let Zeb’s athletic prowess fool you, though. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and has a goal of going to college to become a physical therapist. When asked what his athletic goal is, though, Zeb didn’t hesitate: he wants to beat Olympic champion and world record holder Usain Bolt’s world record times. Based on what we know about Zeb and the entire Pfenning family, Mr. Bolt better watch his back.
Frequently Asked Questions About China
What is the waiting child list for China adoption?
The waiting child list includes children in China who have a diagnosed medical need or disability and are waiting to be matched with an adoptive family. Families interested in this list work with their agency to review medical files and decide which needs they feel prepared to parent.
What kinds of physical special needs are common among children on China's waiting child list?
Physical special needs on the list range widely and can include limb differences, missing digits or limbs, clubfoot, and other orthopedic conditions, along with heart defects, cleft lip and palate, and developmental delays. Many of these needs are manageable with medical care, surgery, or adaptive equipment after the child comes home.
Can a child adopted with a physical disability go on to live an active, full life?
Yes. With the right medical care, adaptive equipment, and family support, many children adopted with physical disabilities grow up to be highly active. Zeb, who was adopted without a left foot, went on to become a competitive sprinter and long jumper representing Team USA.
How long does it typically take to be matched with a child from China's special needs program?
Wait times vary and have changed over the years, but families pursuing a non-special-needs match have historically waited considerably longer than those open to the waiting child list. The Pfenning family had already waited quite a while before being connected with Zeb through the waiting child list.
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