Malcolm and Shelley adopted three children, their youngest has specific health needs
Malcolm and Shelley adopted three children. Their youngest, Courtney, has specific health needs. Like all parenting, adopting children with additional needs can bring challenges. However, there is support available to help you and your family.
Adopting siblings together can allow children to hold on to a lifelong connection and can provide them with comfort and familiarity during the adoption process.
Malcolm and Shelley, who feature in the film clip on this page, are parents to brothers Kieron and Tyler (who they adopted aged four and five), and Courtney, who they adopted aged three:
“When we adopted siblings, we always say it brought twice the fun into our lives. They need each other and love each other, and we wouldn’t have wanted to split them up.
“Then when we adopted Courtney a few years later, it definitely got a bit noisier in our house! We are so honoured to be able to look after our daughter, who has additional physical needs, and see how she has gone above and beyond what might have been expected of her.
“For anybody adopting a child with special needs, there’s absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t lead a fulfilling and wonderful life. You’re giving them a future they might otherwise not have had. It can be challenging, but we just get on with it and adapt as a family!”
Did you know that, on average, children with additional needs wait 11 months longer to be adopted, compared to children without these specific needs?
Did you know that 43% of the children waiting the longest to be adopted are waiting with their brothers and sisters?
If you’re interested in adopting one of the many children with physical or educational needs waiting, please talk to one of our friendly team at Adopt South West.
Contact us and find out how #YouCanAdopt one of the many brother and sister groups waiting to be adopted.
