19 month old Twin Boys – multiple needs combined
THE RATHJEN FAMILY
http://careshareandcreate.
Age of Children at Adoption 19 month twin boys
Special Needs One child has Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate, hypospadius, minor hearing loss
The other child has Imperforate Anus/Colorectal Malformation/Anal Atresia
babies, toddlers, twins, twin boys, cleft lip, cleft palate, hypospadias, hearing loss, imperforate anus, colorectal malformation, anal atresia
Our Experience in China
In China we had an amazing group and wonderful guides which really made it what it was. Our twin boys were happy and were sleeping through the night in China. We were a little bit nervous to do things wrong considering their special needs. On the first night with them, our son with Imperforate Anus woke covered in stool numerous times. We were not expecting this, and later have learned he was not getting his medication at the orphanage and was extremely backed up.
Our Experience once Home
Once we got home, thing got difficult. Our boys were scared to death, up most the night and “giggly entertainers.” We know now, it was their coping mechanism. The nights were long. We were exhausted and wondering what we had just done. Within 2 months, things got much easier and we started to settle into our new normal. They were sleeping through the night within about 8 months.
Our Advice
Talk to people going through what you are. Be honest. Find someone you can be totally honest with. Pray through your hard times. I found what God will bring you to, he will bring you through. We love our boys and would not trade them for the world. However, we still have hard times, but I think any family with twin toddlers has those! Lastly, I would say to take breaks, get refreshed and your children will benefit from that.