I remember standing in my kitchen shortly after my separation, with a two-year-old little boy and pregnant with my daughter, realizing that my life had not worked out as I had planned. Divorce was never on my agenda, and I certainly never imagined I would go through one while pregnant.
However, God made it clear to me that He had made me to be a mommy, and that had not changed. I knew in that moment that He was leading me to adoption, but I had no idea what the journey would look like and that it would lead me to the very special Jojo.
Over the next five years, God worked on my priorities and life in many ways. Adoption was on my heart and mind always, but the timing was just not right. I was blessed with the opportunity to go on two mission trips to Africa and one to China during that time and my eyes were opened to the very real physical and spiritual needs all over our world. I always assumed when I did finally adopt, it would be from Africa.
In September of 2012 I ran the Chicago Half Marathon on behalf of Project HOPEFUL, an organization that works to bring awareness to the fact that many children with HIV, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and many other special needs are often overlooked when families decide to adopt.
Our
ADOPTION
Adventure
Shortly after the race, I joined the Project HOPEFUL volunteer staff, where I received the confidence I needed to take the next step in the adoption process.
It was November 2012, and I knew I was ready to start the adoption process.
I made an announcement on my blog that I not only planned to adopt, but that God was leading me to adopt a child with Down syndrome.
I think all adoptive families struggle with people in their lives who just don’t “get it,” but as a single mom, I think I got a double dose. People said things like: “Are you crazy?” “What is this going to do to the kids you already have?” “How are you going to find time to deal with a child with special needs?” “How is this going to affect your chances to find a husband?” “How are you going to afford it?” The bottom line for me was to simply give God my “yes” and learn to trust Him to handle the rest.
Why I Chose to Adopt a Child with Special Needs as a Single Mom
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By: Jenny M. Clark
Jenny with her children Aidan, Ella Mae
and JoJo