Max's Story

Our son, Joshua Maksim Lisciandro, was born on July 2nd, 2005. He was born in a hospital in Odessa, Ukraine to a young married couple. She was 21 years old and he was 22. When he was born, he had multiple difficulties including two club feet, a malformation of his neck, and a club ulna with only 4 fingers on one hand. His other hand is completely normal. His parents decided not to take him home from the hospital and he has been in the same orphanage since he was 1 month old. What must have gone through their hearts and minds as they left him behind? Their first child, a son -- their hearts must have been broken, dreams shattered... That's how I would have felt. The doctors probably told him that he would never walk, that he would not be able to have a normal life. They likely did not have the money for his medical care. They probably felt like they had NO CHOICE...sometimes it is hard to see beyond the immediate circumstances to find hope...BUT IF THEY HAD LOOKED AHEAD...they would have seen a BEAUTIFUL child who is very smart (the orphanage workers like to say he is "very clever"), a child who can run circles around the other kids in his group, who can dance, skip, slide and jump! They would have seen a child with dark brown eyes that will melt your heart, eyelashes any woman would kill for and a smile that is contagious! They would have seen a happy boy who laughs more than any kid I know... a child who's tutor describes as "a courageous soul" and "a tough character." A child full of potential who can have a normal fruitful and blessed life ...Max does not know he has any limitations! And as Greg and I both observed, he has NO limitations...he is simply a normal happy kid with a "little" hand. THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE. There is always something better beyond what seems to be a limited or tragic circumstance. God is always there and I am so glad that He doesn't see our limitations (because we ALL have them) but He sees our unlimited potential as we abide and trust in Him!