Each Wednesday we post links from the previous week that touch on special needs adoption. Our hope is that these small snapshots provide you with a glimpse of life after adopting through China’s waiting child program… both the long-term blessings and the challenges that come with parenting a child with special needs. We also hope to raise awareness about a variety of special needs.

Wherein I Blow My Top — adoptive momma (China) Shirlee McCoy at And Then There Were Seven… her reaction after hearing an acquaintance make comments about her daughter trying to find a “doll like me” doll

Adopting a Waiting Child: The Story — adoptive momma (China) I Am at I Am What I Do… a good read for anyone waiting at the moment

Surgery Update — adoptive momma (China) Sharon at In the Light of Eternity… describing her son’s recent p-flap surgery and recovery

Another Surgery in the Books — an adoptive momma (China) at Room For At Least One More… an update on her daughter’s seventh surgery

Amsterdam International — momma Dana at Uncommon Sense… written as an intentional forward to the well-known piece “Welcome to Holland,” and for parents in the early stages of processing the fact that their child has special needs

Conflicted — adoptive momma (China) AmFam at American Family… with her husband out of town, she takes a peek at her agency’s special needs list

Medical Journey Update — adoptive momma (China) Paulette at Love You Forever… an update on her daughter’s medical condition (related to the digestive system)

A guest post about an orphan in China with Down syndrome — guest blogger Walking To China at Gillian Marchenko’s blog Pocket Lint… the story of how she came to foster a child with Down syndrome