Overcoming the Odds: Joseph’s Adoption Story

I have been so excited to share this story! Adoption has such a special place in my heart. Some of my very favorite patients are in the foster care system or adopted. The beauty of sacrificial love is unmistakeable in these families. As of last week, my very dear friends were finally able to adopt their sweet baby boy and I truly could not be happier. So with their permission, let me tell you about baby Joseph’s miraculous story as his nurse practitioner and even better, his now-adopted aunt!

My husband, Daniel, grew up with Meghan and Josue. Meghan and Josue Sanchez are junior high sweet-hearts and honestly, they are some of the most lovable people I know. Josue was in our wedding and their family is a huge part of our lives. Meghan and Josue struggled with infertility for almost 6 years before they decided to ‘foster to adopt,’ which is fostering a child with the hope of adoption. We prayed and believed that God had a very special child waiting for our dear friends. With approximately 16,000 children in foster care in the state of Arizona, I know God has very special children waiting patiently for many families.

In August of last year, I met sweet baby Jojo for the very first time. He was beautiful! And quite a fighter too. The circumstances of his birth were challenging to say the least. Due to his drug exposure during pregnancy, his severity of neonatal drug withdrawal required about two weeks of morphine before they would allow Joseph to be safely discharged from the hospital. That is a very significant amount of drug use during pregnancy. Although unsure of how that would later affect his development, I knew that Joseph could not have found a more loving home.

Joseph grew beautifully! It has been absolutely amazing to watch him thrive.
Despite the odds being against him when he was brought into this world, God had a much bigger plan! Joseph not only met all of his developmental milestones, but he exceeded them! And by all I mean every. single. one. Nothing was missed or delayed. The power of love, redemption and dedicated parents is a beauty to behold and an honor to be a part of. I am such an advocate for adoption, and I am so blessed to have witnessed this miracle! I know there are many more to come.

Here is the video my husband made of Joseph’s story and official adoption. Warning: you may need a tissue. I know I did.

Please share your experiences with fostering and/or adopting! I love hearing them!