Love At First Sight Saves Child

By Ann Rubin

(KSDK) - His future was uncertain at an orphanage in China. But his photo struck a cord with a family from Ballwin and they were determined to rescue him.

The bonds have a tight-knit family, though like most, they've faced their challenges. The children, Samantha and Drew were born with ectodermal dysplasia, a genetic disorder that affects their teeth, hair, and ability to sweat.

It was at a support group for the disorder that they first heard about Ben.

Kevin Bond says, "His little needs were pressing he was on his last opportunity to be adopted."

Ben suffered from a variation of the same thing, except he was at an orphanage in China.

Carrie Bond says, "We actually were not looking to adopt at all."

Still she says, they decided to look at his photo and say a prayer for the little boy to get a family. She says, "I pulled him up and fell head over heels in love. It was like I just knew."

Within 24-hours, the Bonds committed to the adoption. Ten months later, they brought Ben back to the U.S. But his condition was much more complicated than they realized. Ben has a cleft lip and palate, as well as cleft hands and feet. He also has problems with his hearing from infections left untreated at the orphanage.

Doctors at St. Louis children's hospital say he'll likely need at least ten surgeries. Dr. Gregory Borschel says, "This kind of stuff would be unlikely for him to get in china so we value greatly this team approach."

Kevin Bond says, "All the extra needs that he has and extra expenses, has really revealed what it costs to adopt. But it just drives our love for him deeper and deeper and deeper."

The costs they say are nothing compared to the benefits they've received. This Christmas, Ben's stocking hangs with the others. This Christmas, the Bonds say their family seems complete.

Carrie says, "Something was missing and we didn't even know it until he was here."

In the coming months, Ben will undergo procedures for his hands and his ears. His family wants to get him ready for pre-school in the fall.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=137209





China-Babies Research