The Hamilton's are an inspiring foster family at Bethany Services. Their story is amazing and inspiring. Enjoy reading their journey to Foster care
"In 1993, Ms. Hamilton came to the United States from Sierra Leone pregnant with her daughter, Edna. It was a difficult pregnancy. She experienced many complications, almost losing her child. The doctor told Ms. Hamilton that there was a possibility that Edna could be born mentally handicapped and/or severely developmentally delayed. After her birth, Edna spent two weeks in the Neonatal ICU. During this time, Ms. Hamilton made a promise to God that if Edna survived and developed into a healthy child, then she would dedicate her life to caring for medically fragile children through foster care. By the grace of God, Edna did thrive and has grown into a bright young woman.
Ms. Hamilton and her family have been able to fulfill her promise to God by fostering over 36 medically fragile children through Bethany for the past 11 years. Edna also wanted to honor God’s blessing by loving on and caring for children who are unable to care for themselves. She has been a huge support to Ms. Hamilton in caring for medically fragile foster children.
In 2010, God led Ms. Hamilton to meet her Arthur, who was placed in a facility for physically and mentally challenged children. He was in this facility because no onewould commit to adopting him. When Arthur came into the room where Ms. Hamilton was seated, he insisted he wanted to get out of his wheelchair. A medical assistant helped him out of his wheelchair and he proceeded to crawl over to a counter to pick out a flower. He approached Ms. Hamilton, out of all the people in the room, and gave her the flower. He then placed his head on her lap. It was not Ms. Hamilton’s intentions to adopt a child at that time. But she believed that this was God’s way of telling her that Arthur was her son.
In her time as a foster parent with Bethany Christian Services, Ms. Hamilton has made such a difference in the lives of the children she has touched. She is currently fostering two medically fragile children named Kayla and Chevanne. Kayla has been in Olive’s care for ten years. Chevanne was terminally ill and spent many months in the hospital. After being in the Hamilton’s home for a few months, Chevanne’s DFCS case manager could not believe all the positive progress she has made. The case manager made the statement that “I can’t believe that this is the same child who was hospitalized not too long ago.”
Ms. Hamilton is a story of true faith and compassion for children with special needs. She provides these children with the best quality of life possible through the love and care she constantly dotes on them. "