Christmas Giving 2015

2015 ADOPTED FAMILIES - UPDATED NOVEMBER 2017

*Please note that ages are at time of adoption.

In 2015, the Bates family completed its 19th year of adopting families with our family and friends and our 11th year adopting families through the Macomb Infant Preschool Program (MIPP). We adopted the following deserving families with children with special needs:

FAMILY #1 

Mom, Amanda (age 35) and Dad, Barry (age 33) have a family of six. This family found out about their unexpected fourth pregnancy in 2013.  Since that time, the family has been struck by more tragedy and challenges than any family should have to bear. Their daughter, Meghan was born with a heart defect and was put on a ventilator immediately after birth.  After a myriad of tests they determined that she had DiGeorge Syndrome.  According to the Mayo Clinic, DiGeorge syndrome “….is a disorder caused by a defect in chromosome 22. It results in the poor development of several body systems. Medical problems commonly associated with DiGeorge syndrome include heart defects, poor immune system function, a cleft palate, complications related to low levels of calcium in the blood, and delayed development with behavioral and emotional problems.”  She was sent home and at six weeks of age she stopped breathing and was readmitted to the hospital where she had her heart surgery.  She was in the hospital for over two months and suffered from seizures, a stroke, blood transfusions, had to have a heart cath and had to be resuscitated several times.  Since that time she has had a second open heart surgery, had a feeding tube installed and has been in and out of the hospital. 

When Meghan was four months old the family found out that they were expecting a fifth child due to a failed IUD. They found out that their expectant son, named Owen, had a fatal condition called “Limb Body Wall Complex” and at 33 weeks gestation, he was stillborn.

Meghan has an older Sister, Ashleigh, who is 3 ½ and an older Brother named Will who is age 10, and both of these siblings are healthy and average.  Her eldest Brother, Andy is age 16 and has Autism Spectrum Disorder and is developmentally delayed.  Mom is the primary care giver and Meghan requires constant care, but as of late 2017 she has been able to take a par-time job.  Dad is employed as of November 2017, he had taken a new and improved position.

Since the holidays, Meghan has been hospitalized a few times this winter for respiratory infections. She is getting stronger and is able to get in and out of a sitting position on her own. She is mobilizing on the floor to get to a toy or to a person. Therapists are working on her capacity to be weight bearing on her lower extremities. The family continues to struggle financially. They are planning to farm their land this year and are setting up a community Farm Program. Meghan’s frequent hospitalizations mean that someone has to be available to care for the other children when Meghan is hospitalized for long periods. Meghan is receiving homebound teacher services due to her medical status. She has had some setbacks; however is stable now.  Mom is working part time and Dad has gotten a better job. 

FAMILY #2

Mom, Felicia (age 21) and Dad, Billy (age 23) have one child of their own named Faith (age 10 months) and at the time of the adoption they were raising Mom’s little Brother, Christopher.  Felicia and Christopher’s parents are not in the picture.  Felicia was caring for Christopher who is 16 years old and has epilepsy.  The house that a relative was letting them live in was foreclosed and they have moved in with another family member.  Since the holidays Christopher moved to Florida to live with his aunt. 

Their daughter, Faith, has a hearing impairment and is developmentally delayed, but she recently got her hearing aids and is tolerating them well. She is crawling and beginning to pull to stand.

Mom works two jobs.  By day she works a manufacturing position and in the evenings and on weekends she works for a fast food restaurant.  Dad works for a local hardware store.  They vary their work schedules so that one of them can be home at all times to care for Faith.  They share a car that requires some repairs.  The couple struggles with being unable to provide financially for their child and are doing their best under difficult circumstances.  Mom and Dad both continue to work at same jobs and are saving to get out of debt and to have a place of their own.

This year both of our families needed and were given: Winter coats, pajamas, winter clothing, shoes, socks, boots, hats, gloves, diapers & wipes, bedding/sheets, some need comforters, books and toys.

Please click below to download the 2015 Original Christmas Emai