By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
NORTH CAROLINA
(ANS) -- Many
people were touched by the story CBN News covered of baby Adam, who was
born with severe deformities. Thanks to the love of total strangers, he
has been given a second chance.
However, according to a story by CBN News Medical Reporter Lorie Johnson he still faces more challenges.
When
Adam was born in a Christian missionary hospital in India, his brain,
heart, and lungs were healthy. But he was so deformed his family refused
to take him home and even threatened to kill him.
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Baby Adam and his family
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One of them was Dr. John Van Aalst, a plastic surgeon at North Carolina Children's Hospital, who spearheaded Adam's treatment.
"Giving
deeply, sacrificially, is one of the greatest God-sends that we can
have in our lives," CBN News reported Van Aalst said, explaining why he
and others like him first got involved.
Now,
a year and a half later, baby Adam is doing great. He laughs a lot,
learns, crawls everywhere, and has a new brother, Elliot.
Raja said God gets all the glory.
"When
I look back, I remember Romans 8:28, that all things work for good, and
I think that's true for me, Jessica, Adam, and Elliot," CBN News
reported he said.
Despite his
progress, Adam still has some problems. For instance he cannot eat
normally because he was born without the roof of his mouth. For that
reason, he also cannot talk, even though he desperately wants to
communicate.</
p>
Jessica said she sees his struggle every day.
"When
you tell him to say something, though he can't speak words, formed
words right now, with his palette being open, so all the air just comes
out more loosely and makes sounds rather than formed speech," she
explained.
Adam needs his palette repaired so he can talk and eat like a normal little boy.
Van Aalst said he's a good candidate for the surgery.
"He
should be able to speak understandably," CBN News reported he said.
"The first time he says 'mommy' or 'daddy,' I can just see Jessica and
Raja breaking down in tears."
Adam
was supposed to have his palette repaired earlier this summer, but
there simply wasn't enough money to cover the surgery so it was
postponed until Aug. 23.
Since
Adam is a citizen of India, he does not have health insurance and
University of North Carolina hospitals must charge for their services.
So Adam's parents are relying on donations to pay for their son's
treatment.
Raj is grateful for all the people who have
offered their help so far.
"The needed money is $150,000," CBN News reported he said. "We have close to $100, 000."
The
Medical Foundation of North Carolina set up a fund through which people
can donate online through their page dedicated to Baby Adam's story.
The family has a website where people can follow Adam's progress.
This
may be the last time Adam needs major financial help. Next year he's
expected to become a U.S. citizen. That means he will be eligible for
health insurance that will likely cover his future treatments, which
will include nasal reconstruction, prosthetic legs so he can walk, and
new hands for a tighter grip.
For more information visit www.babyadamsjourney.com
To watch the CBN report visit http://cbn.com/tv/2605828899001
See all ASSIST News articles at www.assistnews.net
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