“Annabelle was abandoned in China when she was approximately 5 days old. She was fortunate to be placed in a Christian based group foster home in China.
The Lord placed adoption of a special needs child on my heart and I began the 2 year journey to bring Annabelle home. The road was long and hard, but the Lord provided everything I needed.
On April 1- 2013 Annabelle became my little girl. It was quite apparent that Annabelle had many more needs then she was diagnosed with in China. After spending 2 weeks in China we flew home and immediately went to CHCC where Annabelle spent her first week and a half in America. Annabelle was 7 years old and entered CHCC weighing exactly 20 lbs. Many many test were ran and a g-tube was inserted to give her the nutrition she needed. She was given many new diagnosis and our new journey began.
Once released from the hospital Annabelle began to bond with her family of 4 older siblings. She has grown closed to her mama and her 2 brothers Nathan and Matthew as well as her 2 sisters Erica and Jessica.
Annabelle has had numerous admissions to CHCC since coming home, but I am happy to say she has been out of the hospital now for 2 and 1/2 months!!
The biggest challenge that Annabelle deals with on a daily basis is her Dystonia. Dystonia is a painful condition that has no cure. Although not life threatening Annabelle suffers daily with extremely painful mussel spasms in her neck and upper body.These spasms are so strong they twist her body to the point of her screaming out in pain. Unfortunately they effect her more as she gets tired and through out her sleep which wake her up. She is currently being referred to a specialist who deals with children with this condition.
Besides the Dystonia Annabelle also has an un diagnosed lung condition that has left Doctors scratching their heads. She has had test after test and medication after medication, but Annabelle still has two lung cavitations in her left lung that cause her to have pneumonia. Through the hard work of her pcp Annabelle is now doing better and is being refereed on to UC Davis to get another opinion on what might be causing this.
Annabelle is so much more then all of these diagnosis, her personality is so sweet and her laugh is contagious. She loves to be in the mix of what ever is going on and is quite the social butterfly. Although she can not speak a word she speaks through her personality and shortly after spending time with her you will understand what she wants. She loves going to school and her special needs daycare. Annabelle enjoys church, shopping and going to the park. Her favorite movies include Stewart Little, the original Charlie and the Chocolate factory, Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Veggie Tale movies. Annabelle is irresistible and everyone who spends time with her loves her to pieces. I can not imagine my life without her.”

photography by Jennifer Eileen Photography