Mark and Gale Shanaway of Pittsbugh, Pa., adopted Gina, 8, and Jerome, 7, in 2003. Jerome, who was abused as an infant by his birth parents, is left with Pervasive Development Disorder (a form of autism), Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Epilepsy, and Neurological Impairment. Jerome cannot talk. The Shanaway family struggles everyday to be a normal family.

 

See the Photo Essay and Audio Slideshow

 

Related Links:
The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh
Autism Speaks
The Epilepsy Foundation of Western Pennsylvania
Allegheny County Children Youth and Families
Three Rivers Adoption
Make-A-Wish of Western Pennsylvania
KidNeeds
Adoptions from the Heart
A nice letter to the editor!