A little about our Scholar, we are fortunate to know a lot about him! We've been able to learn about him from many others who have met him. For 3 summers he has been able to participate in a week long camp called Bring Me Hope. It's an opportunity for orphans to enjoy what most kids here get without any thought. A week of games, being outdoors, swimming, and all the fun that comes with camp. They are matched with an American volunteer that is their counselor for the week. Scholar had the most amazing counselor last year that was so special to him and to us. She was his friend and encouraged him so much that week. She has also been able to tell us so much about him and the pictures....so many pictures!!! To actually get pictures of your child's life before adoption is so rare! There has also been several families who have traveled to his orphanage to bring home their children. They have asked him questions for us, given him letters, and taken tons of pictures. It's truly been a gift and has made the wait a bit more bearable! This is so different from Potato Bugs adoption. For PB we got a file on him and two updates from the orphanage before we met him. That's not a lot. It was basic information about his daily habits, schedule, and medical. Nothing that said who he really was. We've had the greatest two years as PB's parents and are still seeing his sweet and spicy personality emerging!
We have been gifted with a ton on Scholar!!!! He has a sweet soul. He loves and cares for others, and he is a leader. Most orphans in China don't have the opportunity for education. Some may get some instruction in the orphanage a few may get to go to school in the community. Scholar has been fortunate to be educated in the community. He can read/write Mandarin (that is not common) and tutors the other children. He loves science, technology, reading, Chinese history, and animals. We also found out that he has two functional patents in China!! Scholar loves to read. If given a choice of any activity he will be reading. The lights are turned off a lot in the orphanage to conserve energy. It drove him nuts that he couldn't see or write in the evenings. So he invented a pen that lights up. I seriously expected a Macgyver attempt, like a pen with a flashlight taped to it but was shocked by what he came up with as a 10 yr old! It's a real pen with a built in light. His two inventions have been published and registered in China. He's an amazing kid, that despite his rough beginnings has passion and makes the most of any opportunity he is given. I'm totally inspired by Scholar and can't wait to bring him home so he can pursue his dreams to the fullest.
Scholar also has some physical challenges. He has Morquio Syndrome, well we're 90% sure that is what he has. When we met him we knew he had dwarfism. When we got his medical file we were a little thrown because it wasn't one of the more common types of dwarfism. Morquio Syndrome (also know as MPS IV) is a very rare degenerative genetic disorder. His body doesn't produce the enzymes to break down sugar. The sugars get stored in the body and degenerate the bones over time. Scholar's legs are severely affected, his legs are bent and he's stuck in a sitting position as his knees are bent inward. He has not had the test done to fully diagnose him which will happen when he gets home. Not sure what he's going to face but sure there will be surgeries in his future. The one thing he will have though is a family to face it with him! Oh, and he doesn't let this hinder him at all! I have pictures of him rollerblading, climbing, jumping, and playing with his friends!! This is our Scholar.
Last week I was out shopping for some picture frames and found this sign. How cool is that?
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