Epiphany House Welcomes Alex!

The Day We Met.

In another astonishing turn of events, a new baby has joined our family. His name is Alex. He is 6 and1/2 months old. Alex has a medical condition known as hypoplastic left heart. So far, Alex has undergone two of three surgeries aimed to manage this condition. His third will be between ages two and three.

	Alex, hanging out on cardiac care unit

On Friday, September 24th, Dexter first heard about Alex at a hospital meeting he was attending. He approached Alex's hospital social worker regarding Alex's need for a family. Because of Dexter's employment status, he could not proceed, via the hospital, for he and Kathie to be prospective adoptive parents for Alex. However, unbeknown at the time, while Dexter was learning he could not proceed, in this manner, Kathie received a phone call from Mary Gayle Adams, a volunteer with Adopt America Network, an agency that seeks adoptive families for medically needy children. Her call was about Alex. She knew us from when she referred us to Rosey and thought we'd be a perfect family for Alex.

The next step involved contacting the agency with which Alex was placed. Because this agency requires its fees at time of placement, we had to act fast to raise money. On, October 1st, the feast of Rosey's patron saint, Therese of the Child Jesus, we were required to give a decision to the agency as to whether we would proceed.

	Photo by Ebony Lanctot

On that day, we told them we had the money and would be at the placement meeting the following Wednesday. We did not actually have the money in hand but we believed, in faith, we had it. We just did not know the source. After making this commitment and not knowing where the money would come from, Dexter, on his way to work at Children's Hospital, found in his jacket pocket a tiny infant Jesus statue from a nativity set. He did not know how that statue got into that pocket that day. But he took it as a sign to trust. Later, we would learn, it so happens, Alex was born in Bethlehem.

The next day, October 2nd, the feast of the Guardian Angels, we received a call from More Than Conquerors, a Christian ministry to people in recovery. More Than Conquerors is located in Bucks County, PA. They were extending a loan to us of $10,600 to meet the entire agency costs required at signing. This assured that Alex could come to us. In the coming months through contributions and fundraisers, we will be making payment on the loan as well as putting aside money for the final legal costs for Alex's adoption.

Now, Alex is home with us and doing wonderfully. He has been out of the hospital since Thursday October 14th, eight days after we signed for his placement. We are proceeding with the adoption paperwork and look forward to finalization. He couldn't be happier; he acted as if he belonged with us from the day he arrived in our home. He's got a lot of people loving him. Rosey has a little brother with whom to grow up.

	Rosey gets aquainted with her new brother

We are simply amazed. We believe that the hospital staff at Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia played a huge role in Alex's sweet personality. During his months waiting for a placement, they provided him tons of love. Everywhere on the cardiac unit Alex is well known. People from every discipline: nurses, doctors, housekeeping, food services, therapists, all were Alex's "buddies". We are grateful that he was given so much loving attention. Our gratitude further extends to More Than Conquerors and to all Epiphany House friends and supporters who have contributed to making Alex's placement with us possible.

We will maintain this page for Alex over the coming months to keep everyone updated on the progress of his adoption proceedings and fundraising. Please check back from time to time.

For Alex's adoption expenses:

Michael DiSanto $400.00
Oblates of St. Francis DeSales/ Fr. Michael Connolly $375.00
Nancy and Robert Braun $1,000.00
Eugene and Kristine Piccola $200.00
Rosemary and Thomas Peto $400
AMDG Contracting $1,000.00
Barbara McCall $25.00
Brian C. Rafferty $100.00
Lisa Basara $2,000.00
Frederick and Marie Bonicacino $20.00
Colin and Page Kelton $250.00
Joel Stoup $100.00

Total $5,870

Still Needed: $8,230