My name is James Henderson. The people closest to me primarily call me Trey. The person who needs me the most, and now more than ever, will never be able to speak my name. I am referring to my stepdaughter Madeline who has Angelman Syndrome. Notice that I did not say that Madeline "suffers" from Angelman Syndrome, because she is the single most joyful soul I have ever encountered. She cannot speak, walk, or feed herself, but is still the greatest source of happiness in my life. Since I met her, I told myself that I would do everything I could to take care of her and though it is very difficult for me to admit, I need help. I feel that I have always treated Madeline as I would my own daughter, but reading between the lines of that statement reveals that the person who SHOULD be fulfilling that role is not doing so. I need help to legally give Madeline the dad she deserves and adopt her as my daughter. Because this is a delicate situation involving litigation, that is as much detail as I will get into here regarding the situation, despite my obviously strong feelings. I am seeking funds for legal fees and expenses related to adopting Madeline as my daughter, and giving her the love and support that only a dad can provide. Any amount over the goal will go toward continued legal and/or medical expenses.

Before I continue, I want to thank you for reading this far. Also, please know that Madeline is well cared for and not in any danger of any kind. I have already added her and her older brother to my health insurance so the most critical hurdles are already being handled. For all intents and purposes, I AM Madeline's dad, but legally things are obviously different. Please also know that all of Madeline's relatives, and everyone who knows her best support our effort to complete our family and put an end to all the disruptions and headaches.

Adopting Madeline was something that her mother Catherine and I had discussed as a possibility down the road, particularly in the event we were to move out of Texas. I wish we had more time, or had gotten some notice this was coming so we could have been better prepared mentally and financially. But with her condition and frequent seizure related hospitalizations, it is vitally important that her legal guardians are willing and able to care for her properly. I am reaching out for help because she is no longer receiving any of the support she is legally supposed to receive, which happened very recently and without notice, and it is now necessary for us to take these steps immediately to give Madeline the best family and home life; ensuring that no matter what happens she will be in the care of someone who loves her and will provide the care and support she deserves and needs.

I was deeply unsure of my ability to handle a special needs child when Catherine told me about Madeline for the first time. We were enjoying dating each other, and I was falling fast, but I am far from a saint and you could not have found a single person back then who would have considered me patient or even tolerant of the most minor inconvenience! Then Catherine sent me a video of her coaxing Madeline through a physical therapy session to give me a little glimpse into their world. It is no secret, but seeing that video was all it took for me. I was all in. In Catherine's soothing, encouraging voice and Madeline's adorable vocalizations whether excited, giggling responses to Catherine or frustrated grunts from the difficult therapy I saw pure, unconditional love and I could not wait to be a part of it. It may help that Madeline is a little "boy crazy" and definitely helps that she likes guys with beards and deep voices, but it didn't take long at all before she had me wrapped tightly around her tiny little finger. The first night we met, the three of us sat on the couch watching a movie, with Madeline reaching across her mother's lap to hold MY hand! I still get emotional thinking of that moment; how fundamentally it changed me and how dramatically different my life would become.

You will see more than just Catherine, Madeline and myself in these photos. I have a son of my own, while Madeline has two brothers. There is another heartwarming story being left untold here, but just know that Catherine is the most amazing, caring, devoted mother you can find. She definitely does not deserve all that is happening and has happened to her and her daughter. These boys do not deserve to be put through this. And most of all, Madeline does not deserve to be dismissed, forgotten or treated like a pawn. She deserves people who stay by her side in the hospital night after night. She deserves people who will play Taylor Swift's Eras Tour on endless repeat because that's what soothes her, even if hearing "Cruel Summer" for the 4,795,296th time sends a wave of nausea crashing through us. She deserves people who will clean up her worst blowouts, even if it means holding their breath while she laughs at your struggle to wipe seemingly endless amounts of poop with a moist towelette, then happily and exhaustedly cuddle her on the couch after. She deserves people who carry her to bed, then give her back rubs or patty cakes as she is tucked in. She deserves two parents who love her unconditionally. She may never be able to call me "dad" but it would be my honor to call her my daughter. Please, help me make that a reality. Give Madeline the dad she deserves. Thank you.