Larry and Kelly Peterson, a married couple from Indiana living with Spina Bifida, a type of spinal condition, have adopted a daughter who shares their condition.
The pair first met at age 10 during a Spina Bifida camp and reconnected years later through social media.
They married in 2015 and, despite challenges, decided to pursue adoption to start a family.
Although Kelly was initially told her disability might make adoption difficult, the couple remained determined.
Through a special needs adoption agency, they discovered baby Hadley and felt a deep connection.
Their shared experiences and unwavering determination made them uniquely suited to give Hadley the care and support she needed.
This past July, Larry and Kelly Peterson marked two special milestones: their ninth wedding anniversary and five years since adopting their daughter, Hadley. Like her parents, Hadley lives with the same spinal condition.
The couple expanded their family through Special Angels Adoption, a process that matched them with their daughter.
Drawing from their own experiences living with Spina Bifida, Larry and Kelly have embraced parenthood with confidence, offering Hadley the love, support, and care she needs to thrive.
Parenthood has been both rewarding and challenging for Larry and Kelly Peterson.
Watching their daughter Hadley grow and celebrate milestones has brought them immense joy.
Kelly, a special education teacher with over 20 years of experience working with children with disabilities, acknowledges that parenting comes with unique challenges.
Both navigate their roles as parents creativelyโKelly uses a wheelchair, while Larry can walk with assistance.
Together, they have developed a system of care that meets Hadley’s needs while working within their physical limits.
The couple also credits their nearby families for providing crucial support in their day-to-day lives.
The Petersons are committed to helping others navigate the adoption process while breaking down stereotypes about parenting with a disability.
They provide guidance to adults with Spina Bifida considering adoption and offer support to families with children recently diagnosed with the condition.
To further their mission, they created a Facebook page, “Journey Down a Country Road: Spina Bifida + Adoption = Our Family.”
The page is a resource for sharing information, answering questions, and connecting with community members about parenting and adoption.
“We want to let society see that people with Spina Bifida live a life just like their non-disabled peers. It’s nothing shocking or amazing. We are living our life just like everyone else,” Kelly said.
The couple encourages individuals with the same spinal condition who dream of becoming parents to not let their disability, fears or others’ opinions stand in the way.
They emphasize the importance of persistence when pursuing adoption and advise against being discouraged by a single rejection.
Adoption policies can differ widely between agencies, so finding the right agency is critical for success.
“Adoption is a learning process and you need to keep pushing along,” they said.
Hadley also receives ongoing care at Shriners Children’s Chicago, including surgery and therapy sessions.
This connection is deeply personal for her mother, Kelly, as she was also a patient at Shriners Children’s.
The experience has brought their story full circle, showcasing the organization’s lasting impact on their family.
What is the spinal condition, Spina Bifida?
Spina bifida is a spinal condition caused by the incomplete growth of the spine and spinal cord, says Mayo Clinic.
It is categorized as a neural tube defect, which occurs when the neural tubeโa structure in early pregnancy that forms the brain, spinal cord, and protective coveringsโdoes not close properly within the first 28 days of pregnancy.
This incomplete closure leads to abnormalities in the spinal cord and surrounding bones.
The severity of spina bifida varies widely, from mild to severe disabilities, depending on the size and location of the spinal opening and how much the spinal cord and nerves are affected.
While surgery is often required to address the condition, it may not fully restore lost function.
Here’s Dr. Carlos Estrada from Boston Children’s Urology Department discussing the different types of the spinal condition called Spina Bifida:
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A wonderful story of love and determination. Several years ago I worked with kids with this problem and they were the happiest kid I knew.