This story unfolds with an American couple in their 60s who embraced Kallin, their twelfth child from China, despite his complex special needs, and sought the best medical care for his physical illness and emotional trauma. Connie and her husband were resolute from the moment they chose to become Kallin's parents, determined to provide him with the best possible medical care, even if it meant fundraising and borrowing to cover the cost beyond their insurance coverage.
Their steadfast love for Kallin, rooted in their faith, has empowered them to navigate unimaginable challenges every day. Witnessing their unwavering commitment and selfless sacrifices, we cannot help but ask ourselves: If we do not share in their trials, how can we share in God’s blessings?
The Johnsons have been married for nearly 40 years and have three biological children and five grandchildren, living on a large farm in Oklahoma. Their journey into adoption started in 2003 when they heard about abandoned children in China. Believing it was God's calling, they embarked on a mission to open their hearts and homes to children in need.
Their first adoption in 2004 brought them 14-month-old Kayden from Guangxi, China, marking the beginning of their adoptive journey. Over the next 11 years, they traveled back and forth between the United States and China seven times and brought home 10 children. In 2017, they applied twice to adopt two boys with disabilities, but their applications were rejected by the Chinese authorities, citing their already large family. A year later, through the second chance adoption, they welcomed Keagan, a four-year-old boy originally from Hubei, China, who had been given up by his first adoptive family. Over the course of 14 years, they adopted a total of 11 children from seven different provinces in China.
These children have various disabilities and medical conditions, including congenital gastrointestinal, bladder, and urethral defects, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, cleft lip and palate, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and Raynaud's syndrome. One child also suffered from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which encompasses a range of symptoms associated with the mother’s alcohol consumption during pregnancy, affecting his physical, mental, behavioral, and learning abilities. This child was diagnosed with depression, reactive attachment disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and it took years of challenging counseling and treatment to manage these conditions. Despite their disabilities, the Johnsons nurtured an environment where all their children thrived, supporting and caring for each other as siblings.
The Johnson family is far from wealthy. Their main income and also medical insurance come from Clayton as a school bus driver. Connie runs a small business to supplement their income while managing the household and caring for their large family. When not driving the school bus, Clayton works on their farm, farming and raising cattle, with children helping with various farm chores. At times, the Johnsons also provide temporary respite care services for other families. The international adoption cost per child ranges from $30,000 to $40,000, an astronomical figure for a family like theirs. They have to fundraise in the community and take out a loan to pay for each of their adoptions.
They intended to focus on caring for the 11 children they already had, ensuring their physical and emotional well-being, and helping them transition into adulthood successfully. However, their plans shifted unexpectedly four years later when another child came into their lives.
In February 2022, they received a desperate call from another adoptive family seeking temporary care services. This family had adopted a two-year-old boy from Fuzhou, China, with congenital heart disease and significant behavioral issues four years prior. Despite undergoing heart surgery in China at age one, the boy suffered a traumatic brain injury shortly after, leading to severe developmental delays and an inability to speak. After arriving in the United States, he underwent further surgeries and spent months in hospitals. Overwhelmed by the complexity of his medical needs after years of struggle, his adoptive family reached out to Connie for help.
Although Kallin's behavioral issues presented unprecedented challenges for the Johnsons, his condition gradually improved under their care, and he became noticeably happier. At the same time, his first adoptive family made a difficult decision to relinquish their adoptive relationship with six-year-old Kallin. Without Johnson's intervention, there was a real possibility that he would end up in state custody.
At this point, Connie and her husband couldn't fathom abandoning Kallin; their hearts were weighed down with worry and concern for him. Despite the uncertainty ahead, they were unwavering in their commitment to providing a nurturing environment for a child who had endured so much profound trauma at such a young age. Following heartfelt prayers and discussions with their family, they decided to officially adopt him in April 2022. They lovingly gave him a new name, Kallin, welcoming him into the Johnson family, where each child's name begins with the letter "K."
Papa Clayton had always been careful with his health, and he was doing well physically. However, in the summer of 2022, he suddenly found that his blood pressure was abnormally high. Further examination revealed that five arteries in his aorta and two carotid arteries were 90% blocked. The situation was dire, forcing the family to put the adoption on hold and focus all their efforts on getting Clayton through this crisis. This was the first time in their 37 years of marriage that this loving couple felt the possibility of being separated by death. Over the next two months, he underwent three major surgeries on his carotid arteries and aorta. Fortunately, he recovered well after the surgeries and was able to return to work after resting for only five weeks at home.
During Connie's time supporting her husband in the hospital, Kallin's behavior quickly spiraled out of control. With health concerns for Clayton and the complex needs of their 11 other children weighing heavily on their minds, they started to second-guess whether they were the best fit for Kallin. However, amidst this uncertainty, Kallin's original adoptive family pressured them to expedite the adoption process, taking Kallin home in Alabama and threatening to turn him over to the state foster care system. The Johnsons were deeply troubled and turned to prayer for direction.
Through their prayers and meditating on God’s words, Connie and Clayton resolved to proceed with Kallin's adoption despite the numerous challenges ahead. They wasted no time and traveled to Alabama to bring Kallin back. In June 2023, Kallin officially became the twelfth member of the Johnson family.
When Kallin first came to the Johnsons, his health and behavior were severely compromised. He underwent extensive medical evaluations with specialists, including cardiologists, urologists, neurologists, and neuropsychologists. Since the adoption was not yet finalized, their health insurance did not cover Kallin's medical costs, leading them to deplete their savings. Eventually, doctors diagnosed Kallin with autism spectrum disorder, delayed intellectual development, and PTSD. He was also found to require aortic valve replacement surgery in the future. Recently, his gene analysis showed a Notch1 mutation, which explained both his autism and his heart defect at birth.
Since joining the Johnson family, Kallin has made significant progress physically and developmentally. He has grown 15 cm taller and gained 5 kg in weight. He has started attending school regularly and is gradually learning how to give and accept love within his new family. Kallin begins to find his place in the family and to integrate more fully into their lives.
Kallin shares a bedroom with his three brothers and rides with them each morning to school on the school bus that their dad drives. When Kallin first arrived, he was very anxious about going to bed and would wake up around 4 a.m. every day. They began training him to develop better sleep habits. Now, he goes to bed on time and can sleep through the night. However, it remains challenging for Kallin to respond to changes in the environment and to interact with other children in school and church. He is still learning how to express himself without resorting to anger.
Connie's family lives in a state where they have access to top medical experts, which is necessary for addressing Kallin's complex needs. Kallin's neurologist recommended psychiatric intervention for his violent tendencies and anger outbursts, and their medical insurance covers such a treatment program. However, starting treatment late meant relying primarily on medication to manage behavior, which does not solve the root issue. This approach raises concerns about potential changes to Kallin's personality and limits his future, potentially leading to institutional living.
Kallin had also suffered from chronic diarrhea since the age of two. All standard treatments did not help until he started a natural remedy regimen under the Nemechek Protocol. This regimen included olive oil, inulin powder, and Omega-3 to improve his gut health. Within a month, his condition improved, and he has not had diarrhea since. What surprised them more was that his language ability also showed some improvement. The effectiveness of the natural remedy made a deep impression on the Johnsons. They thought that perhaps such a treatment approach could truly help Kallin's neurological issues.
Encouraged by Kallin’s positive response to the Nemechek Protocol, the Johnsons sought the advice of Dr. Jamie Oskin in Phoenix. Dr. Oskin believes naturopathy can address Kallin's obsessive-compulsive behaviors and enhance his language abilities, helping him express emotions without resorting to anger. Natural therapy is a holistic approach, focusing on identifying and treating underlying causes rather than just symptoms, and presents a promising opportunity. However, their insurance does not cover the $10,000 annual cost of such natural therapy. Despite this huge financial burden, the Johnsons decided to give this treatment a try because they are committed to Kallin's long-term well-being and happiness. They chose the best, not least expensive, treatment to be worthy of the trust that God places in Kallin in their lives.
Kallin has significant educational and medical needs, but Connie and Clayton are in their sixties, and Clayton recently had three major surgeries. Most of their other 11 adopted children are young and have various disabilities. People would worry about their financial burden, but seeing Kallin transform from an anxious, sickly child to a happy boy with noticeable progress reassures them. Though the future holds challenges, their unwavering love and faith promise amazing grace. Connie shared, “Despite the difficulties, we feel blessed to have these children and meet their needs. God called us to adopt them, and we will dedicate our lives to this commitment.”
They have sacrificed so much for Chinese orphans with special needs. As Kallin’s fellow Chinese, how can we help?
In response, Village of the Stars (www.villageofthestars.org) has set up a special fund for Kallin to help with the cost of his medical and educational needs. If you feel the call to contribute, you can donate to villageofthestars@gmail.com via PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo. Village of the Stars is a registered non-profit organization and your donations are tax-deductible.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – James 1:27
- Translated by Ivy Zhen, Grace Huang; Edited by Clyde Xi
