In addition to this miraculous blessing, we began to see Cora blossom, even after spending just shy of a week with her. By the time we left, she could hold her bottle momentarily, could pick up and feed herself Cheerios, could copy some of our vocalizations, and was showing an interest in toys. Looking back, I think it was a blessing that we didn’t get to see Cora on our first Haiti trip, prior to committing to her, because the delays might have scared us off then. The way things happened ensured that she would make her little way into our hearts and lives.

Since Cora came home in October of last year, she has continued to make amazing strides. When she reached us, she could crawl short distances and could stand while supported, and within mere days, she was pulling to stand, cruising furniture, crawling longer distances and exploring her new world with gusto. She learned to hold her own bottle, feed herself, play with her toys and siblings, and dance like nobody’s business.

Cora began physical therapy right away and started using a walker to get around (see video), but within a month, the walker was collecting dust in the corner and was given back to the early intervention program for some other child’s use. Cora now walks, goes up and down stairs, plays games like Patty Cake and Peek-a-Boo, and uses probably 50 words and signs. She eats well, has great emerging fine motor skills and has learned to do a thousand things we worried she might not be able to do. And the girl can still groove. ;)

For more information about albinism and adopting children with albinism, please see the following resources:

NOAH
Adopt Albinism
Bai China (discussion group originally specific to China adoption, but they allow any adoptive parents of children with albinism to join)