Touched by the heartbreaking story of a boy suffering from a shaken baby syndrome, these Ohio foster parents decided to step in and adopt him.
Eric and LeAnne Stadler got married in 1996 and settled into their newly renovated home. LeaAnne told Love What Matters that they immediately planned on having two children. As they have always wanted, they had two lovely children; the firstborn was a baby boy, followed by a baby girl. They were already complete, she said. They were a "perfect little family" living their "fairy tale life."
Yet, God had different plans for them. Eric said that after listening to a radio show discussing raising children with special needs, he felt that they should have another baby. And so, they had two more children, a boy then followed by a girl.
They then decided to move out of the suburbs in exchange for a smaller home but have lots of space for the kids to play and explore. And while they enjoyed life as a complete family, they said that they felt something is missing, a void they need to fill. It was then they knew they want to foster children.
They have long wanted to be foster parents
LeAnne is no stranger when it comes to fostering children, as she had seen her parents did the same while she was growing up. However, she said that she was still hesitant, knowing the difficulties that come with fostering kids. She knows that foster children need lots of time and attention, which would mean time taken away from their own children.
So, they didn't rush into it and rather took their time to discuss, research, and pray about it. When they found out that there were more children in the system than foster parents willing to take care of them, they decided to push through with their plans. By 2014, they were already licensed for Foster to Adopt and immediately took in their first placement of 2 kiddos.
When they finally received a call from CPS about a 2-month-old baby boy named Easton who desperately need a home, they didn't hesitate and agreed to foster him. They would, however, be heartbroken upon seeing the little boy's condition.
She said that her husband had tears upon learning that the boy was starving because his parents chose not to feed him. He was diagnosed with Non-Organic Failure to Thrive. That meant that medically there was nothing that keeps the boy from gaining weight. The boy was also suffering from "shaken baby syndrome." His father, apparently, threw him onto a couch that caused him to have a seizure.
He was all blue, she said, and his skin showed all the veins in his body. She described the boy as tiny, frail, and motionless, who already resembled an alien. When they brought the boy home, she said that he looked like he has already given up. Over the next months, they would dedicate their time and resources to help rehabilitate little Easton with the help of specialists.
Much has changed and improved since then, and now Easton is thriving and has already gained weight. Despite being further diagnosed with Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy and Dyspraxic, she said that Easton continuous to fight and is happy.
On his 3rd birthday last year, they adopted Easton, making him officially their fifth child. She said Easton is the child who God knew they needed.
