Introduction
After our first visit to meet Akash, we knew we had to get a comprehensive medical check-up done for him. We wanted to understand what we were getting into before making a decision. The Daya Kirana adoption agency, with the permission of the DCPO, allowed us to take Akash for a day-long medical check-up in a hospital in Tumkur. We were overjoyed to have him with us for the day, along with his caretaker.
Medical Check-up
We were joined by our friend Vivian, who was studying MBBS and spoke Kannada fluently. It was great to have him by our side as we navigated the medical world. We were fortunate to have the support of not just our friend Vivian but also our pastor and family friend, Dr. George. With his help, along with Dr. Eshwar A Makam from Siddaganga Hospital in Tumkur, we were able to develop a comprehensive plan for the many tests we wanted to run. We consulted with nearly every medical department imaginable, from ortho to cardiology, pulmonology to neurology, urology to ENT, and gastro to opthalmology, and more. It was overwhelming, but we were determined to make sure that Akash received the best care possible.
My heart swelled with emotion when, while registering Akash, I had to put my name in the father’s column. It was a moment I’ll never forget.
The day was a blur of diagnostic tests, requiring us to roam throughout the different floors of the hospital. But it was also a beautiful experience to spend time with Akash, holding him, playing with him, and seeing how his caretaker fed him. We were all smitten with this little guy.
Reactions and Reflections
Of course, while we were there, we had to tell our story again and again. We were still figuring out how to explain our intention to adopt a special needs child, but every time we shared it, we felt more confident and more committed to this decision.
The reactions we got were mixed. Some doctors and staff were supportive and encouraging, while others looked at us with strange expressions that said, “Why the hell do you want to adopt a broken child?” But we didn’t let their doubts and prejudices get in our way.
By the end of the day, most of the doctors gave us a good report for Akash (find more about medical reports here). Of course, the problems we could see were evident, but there didn’t seem to be any hidden challenges with him. We left feeling hopeful and grateful for the experience.
Saying Goodbye
The day ended with us eating our lunch by 4pm on our way back to Kunigal to bid goodbye to Akash. Our 4-year-old daughter Hannah was very upset that we were leaving her brother behind. In some ways, Hannah had made the decision much before we did. She had fallen in love with Akash just as we had.
Our journey to adopt a special needs child was just beginning, but this day was a turning point for us. We knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we were committed to this beautiful, loving little boy who had captured our hearts. And we were excited to see where this journey would take us.