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Prayer and Medical Advice

Nebraskans Frank and Kelli Graf had already adopted two girls from China when they began to consider adopting another—one with an identifiable medical condition that falls within the range of minor/correctable, but which pushed the outer edge.

Right after she saw a photo of 22-month-old JiaoJiao, Kelli called her husband at work to tell him about the little girl.

“He wasn't too sure because this little sweetheart had special needs—spina bifida—and we had just sent our dossier to China for a non-special needs child. Neither of us knew much about spina bifida, but Frank said I could call Holt and ask about her. ‘Try not to get your hopes up,’ he said. Too late! I was already falling in love with a little girl half way around the world.”

JiaoJiao’s packet of information arrived and the Grafs began researching spina bifida. They called Holt and asked more questions. When the answers arrived, Frank was very concerned to learn that JiaoJiao had a myelomeningocele.

“In our research, it said this was the more severe form of spina bifida,” Kelli commented. “The outcome of her condition was not real clear at this time. I felt my heart drop, but I still had hope. I had been praying that she would go to the right family, and I had hoped it would be us.”

Although Kelli felt sure she should be their daughter, Frank had more questions. They waited again. Two doctors reviewed JiaoJiao’s records but were just not sure. They both recommended another doctor, a specialist. Frank made the appointment.

“On January 25, 2007, three months to the day since we had seen her photo and one year since we had started the adoption paperwork, we saw the specialist,” Kelli said. “He relieved a lot of Frank's fears. He thought she would need some care, but nothing we couldn't handle. Her prognosis was good from what he could tell from her reports from China. There are various degrees of spina bifida. She may possibly need surgery down the road, and she could have some bladder problems in the future. He sees lots of children with spina bifida, and her information, if accurate, put her in the mild range. Another prayer answered! With this information, Frank felt ready to go forward. He told me to call Holt and tell them we would like to adopt JiaoJiao!”

The Grafs traveled to China in July 2007 to receive JiaoJiao, whom they named McKenna. They have been so happy with their new daughter and the ease of her transition that they are now in process to adopt from China again—this time, a little boy with spina bifida.