Welcome to the Called to Love Podcast!

In this episode, Jill Marier joins me on the podcast to discuss the need for fostering medically fragile children. Jill has a rather unique family, and in her words she says “we get stares.” They have a large household full of children that are adopted, biological, and fostering, many of them are medically fragile. Jill’s heart was moved to medically fragile kids after her biological son JoJo was born with cerebral palsy. He is non-verbal and confined to a wheelchair. Going through this experience, Jill’s heart broke for all the kids with these medical hardships without any parents or guardians to walk through it with them. They’re alone and often abandoned because of their medical needs.

Not only did Jill and her husband begin to foster and adopt many of these children, and the need is so great, but they started a non-profit farm which has wheelchair accessibility. The farm is a safe space for parents to bring their medically fragile children to have fun with some animals.

Together in our conversation, we unpack the fears surrounding foster care and adoption with medically fragile children: “I’m not qualified” or “I’ll be too attached” or “What if they die?” and more. These fears are lies from the enemy to keep you from following God’s calling. Jill and Somer do not shy away from the hard things but God is with you always.

Here are a few key take aways:

• Every child deserves a loving family, regardless of their medical needs.
• Foster care can be a rewarding but challenging journey.
• It's important to overcome fears and say “yes” to fostering if God calls you.
• Daily life with medically fragile children involves careful planning and routine.
• Community support is crucial for families in foster care.
• Loss and grief are part of the foster care experience.
• Building connections with nonverbal children is possible and rewarding.
• Creating inclusive spaces for children with special needs is essential.
• Setting boundaries is necessary to maintain family dynamics in foster care.

You can check out Christian Parenting’s gift guide by clicking here.

You can learn more about the Mad Hatter Farm on their website: https://www.madhatterfarm.org/

And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madhatterfarmandrescue

You can email me your questions about adoption and foster care at [email protected]. I'd love to connect with you on Instagram or send you my monthly newsletter with free resources and first access to episodes and more!