Dear Benjamin,
I just got a new picture of you, and you are handsome as always!
When we lost your file back in May, having not found your forever family, I was devastated. Each night, I searched the shared list in hopes that your name wouldn’t pop up, suggesting that maybe you were matched. But it did. Every time. Which meant you still wait.
Read Rainbowkids' Hope Gallery article about Benjamin
Fast forward a couple months, and I received an email with the subject line ‘Benjamin.’ And then I get another. And another. As much as my hope was that these emails were from potential families, they were not. But, they proved to be almost as special. These were emails from people involved with Progeria. Doctors, specialists, advocates – all people who had heard that you were waiting, and were stepping up to help.
So we got your file back, and Benjamin, my hope for you is back! I’m sorry I lost it for those couple months. But thanks to some guardian angels, it is back in full force. There are so many people working hard for you right now Benjamin. A warrior who has come along side us in your fight is Miss. She works closely with children with Progeria, and has a huge heart and desire to make sure all the kids in the world with Progeria have their dreams come true. So when she heard you were waiting for a family across the world, she immediately joined the fight! Miss has been contacting all of her friends with Progeria, and telling them about you. And I’m not the only one writing you letters! One of her friends, Sammy, wanted to share some words with you…
Dear Benjamin,
I’m Sammy B, I’m 21 years old, and I live in a small town near Venice, the city on the water, in Italy. I have Progeria, like you ,and I want that you know that, also with Progeria, your life will be a very great life and you can become everything you want. Do you know why? Simple, because you are not different to other: Progeria is something related with your body and not with your soul. In your soul you are a dragon, powerful and beautiful. I can’t wait to meet you, and also my parents are very excited for that. When you will meet the other kids with Progeria you can see that we are like brothers. Soon you will be part of the Great Family with Progeria around the world! A big hug and stay strong, we love you! A lot of kisses,
Sammy
While this new ‘family’ of yours that Sammy speaks of is an important one to have, I know your forever family is still out there too. We are going to find them this time Benjamin! We have an army on your side!
Love,
Your friends at Madison, and your friends around the world
Benjamin is available for adoption through Madison Adoption Associates. There is a $5,000 Bright Futures grant available to the family who steps forward to adopt Benjamin. He just turned 7, and though his file states diagnoses of rickets and hernia, it is highly suspected that Benjamin has Progeria. Please email sarah@madisonadoption.org for more information, or complete the Prospective Adoptive Parent form to be considered as his forever family.
The Gladney Center for Adoption is a long-established, Hague-accredited adoption agency with more than 135 years of experience in creating bright futures for children and families. Gladney’s international adoption program offers families across the United States the opportunity to adopt children from around the world, with active programs in countries such as Bulgaria, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, India, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The agency is deeply committed to ethical and transparent adoption practices that prioritize the best interests of each child. Gladney’s international program focuses on “waiting children”—those who are legally free for adoption but may be older, part of a sibling group, or have identified medical or developmental needs. Families who work with Gladney receive comprehensive support throughout every stage of the process, including pre-adoption education and training, home study and dossier preparation, coordination with foreign partners, travel guidance, and post-adoption services. With a dedicated team of professionals and strong relationships with child welfare authorities abroad, Gladney ensures that each adoption is handled with compassion, integrity, and excellence. Families who partner with Gladney become part of a lifelong community, supported well beyond placement as they help their children thrive in their new homes and embrace their cultural heritage.
