Clara’s story is far from typical. We adopted Clara at 7.5 years old from Bulgaria. Our first daughter is also adopted from Bulgaria. Six months after we came home with our first daughter Ginny, we saw Clara’s picture on a waiting child site. She had the biggest, brightest smile. We immediately sent an application to adopt her. Thirteen months later we finally had her in our arms.

We knew Clara had a history of seizures and developmental delays. We were anxious to get her home to receive proper medical care. Within 2 weeks of coming home, we had a diagnosis of GRIN2A from our neurologist. Clara is very delayed and suffers from multiple seizure types- the worst being ESES. She is a girl of few words but she knows what she wants.

We gave Clara the middle name Hope because she had nothing but yet her smile was so bright and she was so full of hope. After receiving the diagnosis of GRIN and going through everything she has been through, we know that Hope was the perfect middle name for her. Clara has been home for 7 months now and she is thriving. Every day we struggle not being able to hear her voice and see her suffer from seizures- but we are thankful she is home, receiving amazing medical care, and most importantly she will be loved the rest of her life unconditionally no matter what the future holds.