Every child deserves to experience unconditional love, irrespective of their circumstances. Yet, approximately 153 million orphans worldwide grow up without that essential bond. The journey of one family illustrates the profound impact of adoption and the responsibilities it entails.
Ann Bartlinski, the director of orphan care and medical intervention programs for Open Hearts for Orphans in Delray Beach, has firsthand experience with the transformative power of adoption. In 2004, she and her husband, having already raised four biological children, felt a deep calling to provide a home for a child in need. This led them to adopt a young girl from China who had a cleft palate. They named her Mary.
Bringing Mary into their family was a life-altering decision for the Bartlinski family. Bartlinski reflects on the emotional weight of adoption, noting that it is not merely an act of love but a profound responsibility to nurture and advocate for a child who has faced unimaginable challenges. The experience opened her eyes to the harsh realities of orphanhood, prompting the family to adopt six more children from China, all with special needs.
Upon returning home with Mary, Bartlinski found herself unable to sleep, haunted by images of children left behind. “Images of babies crying in their cribs with no one to hold and soothe them were imprinted on my mind,” she recalls. The decision to expand their family was driven by a desire to ensure that these children would no longer be alone and that they would experience the love and support every child deserves.
Throughout their journey, the Bartlinski family encountered numerous challenges, yet their love served as a foundation that kept them grounded. Bartlinski emphasizes that love alone is not sufficient; it must be accompanied by patience, understanding, and consistent support. This realization deepened her understanding of family, which transcends physical attributes and is rooted in the bonds formed within the heart.
As National Adoption Month unfolds, Bartlinski urges others to consider adoption as a means of answering the silent cries of children in need. She believes providing a nurturing environment is vital for a child’s development and emotional well-being. “Adoption was not just about giving a child a home to me. It was about finding a piece of my heart that I did not know was missing,” she states.
The powerful bond that forms through adoption reshapes lives in profound ways. Bartlinski’s experience illustrates that the journey of love is mutual; families grow stronger through shared moments and milestones. She encourages anyone who has contemplated adoption to open their hearts and experience the transformative power of love that knows no bounds.
Adopting a child can be a life-changing decision, enriching not only the lives of the children but also the families that take them in. Bartlinski’s story serves as a heartfelt reminder of the significance of family, love, and the importance of responding to the needs of vulnerable children around the globe.
