Saying "Hello" to Brandon

This past spring, Peter and Miriam were taking steps towards adopting Brandon from Children's Care Hospital and School. They were making their first trip from Ohio to meet him around the time Peter was graduating from law school.

Miriam works as a speech therapist, and considered along with her husband, to open up their adoption search for a special needs child. After seeing Brandon's photo, the light in his eyes made them curious about his personality. When they met him, they saw a child who had an eagerness to try, a desire to learn and also enjoyed music tremendously. Miriam appreciated this as one of her interests is also music, especially singing and playing the piano.

The Ronald McDonald House became involved with this family as they were looking to make Brandon's transition into a home. Miriam had a close friend in school with Cerebral Palsy, and now she would be embracing this condition as a parent. The first step was seeing how Brandon would adjust to meeting Peter and Miriam being in a new environment.

Miriam appreciated this opportunity to begin her relationship with Brandon as he transitioned to a different location, having close access to his previous care providers. She says, “This was the best thing in starting out as a new family. We had privacy with our own room. We didn't have to go out and buy groceries or meals, and we had the proximity to ask questions and adjust. We loved staying at the Ronald McDonald House – it was wonderful in every way.”

Although there were moments of feeling the gravity of their new responsibilities, overall their family is bonding wonderfully and there have been many blessings that have surfaced through their adoption. Miriam realized that she'd learned about Brandon's condition of diabetes insipidus in one of her graduate classes. 

The family continues to assess Brandon's health needs and he also has a special needs daycare through Miriam's employer. He attends a preschool class and is often heard singing over the agenda of his day. The initials of Miriam's employer are “URS,” so part of Brandon's morning song usually includes the “URS song.”

Peter and Miriam feel fortunate that they are a part of Brandon's world, and that he now has a family to call his own. They have seen him wanting to take steps, totalling eight so far, and that he's also had good vision reports. Brandon's wanting to dress himself and is excited to show Peter and Miriam all of his accomplishments. At the Ronald McDonald House, we are excited to share in their adoption journey and wish them many happy memories as a family of three.