A little girl with cerebral palsy brings joy to her family. She came to the family from Sri Lanka two years ago.
Look at that face, into beautiful obsidian eyes that sparkle with life. Look at that ear-to-ear smile that just makes her face shine!
Isn't she beautiful? We think so!
This is our daughter, Maddie Rose. She was adopted by us two years ago when she was five. Now, at seven, she's learning new things every day. She is one smart little cookie, as we have come to find out!
Maddie has cerebral palsy. It affects her ability to move her lower limbs. Just because she can't walk doesn't mean she can't do anything. She gets around remarkably well - rolling on the floor while at home to get from place to place, or using a wheelchair out in public. She uses sign language to communicate, as the CP has also made it hard for her to talk clearly. Maddie is learning English and how to read.
She is sharp, our little girl. Very sharp.
Maddie Rose came to us from Sri Lanka. Her entire family was killed in that devastating tsunami that hit that area so hard; hundreds of thousands of people were killed, towns and villages totally obliberated. It was a miracle that little Neena (as she was then known) even survived, particularly since she was handicapped. We heard about little Neena; wanted to adopt her, so we made the necessary plans in obtaining this little Sri Lankan girl with nobody to call family. We were thrilled upon learning that our application was accepted; we were to get little Neena!!
When we first saw her in a photograph, we cried; understandably so, we were basketcases by the time we got her. The first time we laid eyes upon her at the airport was cause for tears of joy, celebration and even some hollering on our part. Of course, poor Neena was frightened; she didn't know what to make of the gang of people who swooped down upon her like a group of hungry vultures!
She was terrified. She reacted by screaming and wetting herself.
The first few months were not easy by any stretch of the imagination; yet as Neena (we changed her name to Maddie--Maddisen--Rose) settled into our family, she blossomed, became an important part of our family unit.
Now at the age of seven, Maddie keeps surprising us with new skills. She may eventually learn to walk as her body becomes stronger with regular regimens of therapy; she may also talk; she is already making noises. She wants to communicate--you can see it in her expressive face. It is a most amazing thing!
We are not ashamed to tell people that Maddie Rose is our daughter. She may not look like us, but that doesn't stop us from loving her.
She is an inspiration to all who meet her; she usually always has that beautiful smile upon her dark-brown face, and her eyes sparkle with the joy of life!
If people could only see her for the special little girl she is, and not judge her by her disability, the world would be a much better place, not only for her, but for ALL who come into direct contact with her!
Timeless wisdom and advice on the art of living for today’s young and old: The art of thinking, the art of loving, the art of working, the art of leadership, the art of growing old.
A new translation by Sergio E. Serrano of this inspirationa
Look at that face, into beautiful obsidian eyes that sparkle with life. Look at that ear-to-ear smile that just makes her face shine!
