the first photo we received of him
taken within the past couple months
He was abandoned around 6 months of age, most likely when his parents began to realize he was deaf. It is a complicated situation here within the Chinese culture. There is such a strong sense of custom, and the country, although great, is not set up for the education and flourishment of children with special needs.
His parents made such an incredibly difficult decision to give up their son....one that, no doubt, haunts them to this day. They wonder about their son, praying that a kind family has taken him in and given him a life that they would have been unable to provide. I pray for peace in their hearts and for a sense that he is with a family who will love him everyday, for always.
When found, Elliott spent a few months in an orphanage before being transferred to a foster family. Several months later, he was transferred once more to a Holt-sponsored foster family.
Elliott's Chinese first and middle names are Zhi Wei. Zhi means 'intelligence' or 'wisdom'. Wei means 'strength' or 'power'. When he receives his American first name from us, he will maintain 'Zhiwei' as his middle name, as a tie to his Chinese heritage and identity.
Tomorrow he will be an orphan no more.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Hastings family 3/18/2012
ReplyDeleteElliot is truly a lucky little boy to be joining your loving family. Love to Elliot, Aunt Barb
We can't wait to see him! The week cannot pass quickly enough. We miss our China travel friends already. We saw roasted duck hanging in the Walmart super center today and thought of you :-).
ReplyDeleteI have a photo of my son in the same room and on the same exact toy! We go to Changchun to bring him home this summer! I always enjoy seeing photos of his likely buddies over there, and I am ejoying your blog as we will be right there in a few months.
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