We adopted Sam 8 years ago knowing that it would be a challenge (to say the least). We sure couldn’t do it alone. We would need lots of help. We would always need help. But it had to happen. God brought us together.

This is our faith story.

We were in our mid-40s, without kids, I was (and still am) battling Parkinson’s Disease, April was in graduate school, our income was very modest, we didn’t own a house and realized we probably never would.

And one day we got an adoption request via our adoption agency that there was a 2 week old infant that was born missing most of the left side of his brain. He needed a forever home.

Here’s the math equation that just didn't make sense:

A poor couple that would be older-than-normal parents, dad with a progressive neurological incurable disease

+ A baby that could possibly need continual medical care the rest of his life

= Impractical. Irrational. Maybe even impossible.

So we prayed to God. We listened to God. And we obeyed God, in faith. We adopted Sam. It seems God’s math is based more on faith and trust than logic.

Fast forward to today: Our little Sam is happiness and joy. He brings a smile to others around him. He is a daily reminder of the difficulties of life AND the goodness and grace of God.

Sam is very medically complex: He was born with a genetic mutation that has caused a long list of physical and developmental issues. He has a rare and severe form of epilepsy (Lennox Gastaut Syndrome) which causes him to have several seizures a week, some lasting up to 30 minutes. He is developmentally delayed with a cognitive level comparable to a 1 ½ year old. He has cerebral palsy, has very little use of his right side, is non-verbal, and is dependent on a tube that sticks out of his stomach for all of his food and water. Sam has hydrocephalus, cerebral vision impairment, spasticity, plus a few more minor conditions. He can only walk a few feet without assistance and spends much of his day in a wheelchair/activity chair or sitting on the floor.

He’s busy, so we’re busy. He has lots of doctors, a calendar full of appointments, medical procedures and surgeries, plus therapies, a significant amount of time out of school due to his fragile state, and occasional family outings when we can fit them in around his daily medical needs.

Sam’s diagnoses indicate that he will not grow out of these difficulties, but that life will become more difficult for him.

But did I mention that Sam is happiness and joy? He brings a smile to others around him. He is a daily reminder of the difficulties of life AND the goodness and grace of God.

On the home front: I’m currently waiting on disability because of my issues with Parkinson’s Disease. April is a stay-at-home mom so that she can take care of Sam. Our current van is 14 years old and needs repairs that would cost more than its listed value.

We can’t afford much, but we feel that a good, reliable used vehicle makes more sense than a cheap, undependable van to get us by for a short time.

We’re asking for help in buying a good, used handicap van for Sam. They ain’t cheap. And we know this is a bold request. But we’ve always known that we were not meant to be on this journey alone. We’re following a call, knowing that we can’t do it on our own. That we’re not supposed to do it on our own. Help is here. That continues to be our faith.

Would you consider being part of this journey with us? Any contribution will help. All funds will go directly to purchasing a handicap van for Sam.

If you feel so led, would you share our story (this link) with others to help our community grow?

Donations can be made anonymously. Feel free to contact us directly if you would like to make a direct contribution and avoid fees. Feel free to reach out to us with questions or ideas.

Lastly, we’ll end with a little prayer for you:

As you watch our video

we pray that you

will get infected

with a little bit of joy.

That you will have

a little bit

of a better day today

because of Sam’s joy.

Because Jesus is working

in Sam and through Sam.

God bless you.

Thank you.

& Amen.

Tim Brien

March 2023