Help Emma, Josh, and Lucas Make History!

Eleven years ago, in a large city in Inner Mongolia, three kids living in an orphanage didn’t have a clue what was about to happen. Today, I want to tell you the story of how Emma, Josh, and Lucas went from a life in a Chinese orphanage to one that is soaring (see the video below), but right now, they face one of their biggest hurdles ever. Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there. You can help!

Hi! My name is Linda Higdon. Feel free to call me Aunt Linda! Eleven years ago, when my sister, Heidi, and her husband, Peter, began the process of adopting three feisty kids from China, I said, “It’s going to take a village!” And I committed to being there through thick and thin.

That’s why I launched this Go Fund Me campaign.

For the first few years in their new lives in the States, you can imagine! The sudden shock of a new culture, language and family life, leaving all of their friends behind. Since their arrival, it’s been years of surgeries, amputations and new prosthetics, braces, and crutches to correct spina bifida, faulty fibulas, and club feet - just to get them to the starting line.

The struggle was real, but the kids were resilient. And so were their parents.                           

That's when they discovered something so unexpected!  

In the front yard of their home in Atlanta, these three brave ones would make up their own soccer games, sometimes running with their newly fitted prosthetics, sometimes without! Fearless. Fun. Fantastic! Not only soccer, but baseball, basketball, and even learning how to swim for the first time at ages 7, 11 and 12 in a local pool.

Oh, yeah! Then, there was the impromptu baseball game. At age 11, Lucas and his pals were stranded at a local park without a baseball bat. He was the hero of the day when he yanked off his prosthetic legs and tada — an instant baseball bat! After hitting a clean double, Lucas ran on all fours and stole third base; and the crowd went wild! With laughter.

In those precious moments, Heidi and Peter did not yet know sports would be so transformative

Then, life shifted, as it always does, and Peter’s job took him to Kenosha, Wisconsin. The kids had to find their way once again in all new surroundings.

Then it happened!

Peter and the kids were shopping at COSTCO in Kenosha in the Winter of 2018 when a complete stranger – a woman - approached them and said, “You should really consider getting your kids into Adaptive Sports. Here’s my card. My name is Cindy; I’m the Executive Director of GLASA (Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association).”

It was the beginning of something big

In the Spring of 2019, the family found themselves introduced to the world of adaptive sports as well as high school sports-never really having known much about it before. And really having no idea that all three kids would thrive in the highly competitive environment it offers.

A chance encounter at a COSTCO changed the trajectory of their lives. Their drive came from within. Heidi and Peter offered the opportunity, but they “ran” with it.

Their world comes to a screeching halt!

Then, 2020 and COVID-19 hit! All competitive events were canceled. They couldn’t even get together with their coaches to work out. Still, they all kept themselves “in the game” by working out at every opportunity both individually and virtually with their team.

Early morning workouts at empty tracks, trails, or parks, Zoom workouts with the team and even virtual “races” all took the place of their normal training time. What did Josh, in particular, do? He put himself on a daily schedule to do weight lifting 3 hours a day!

In 2021, everything took off again! Events began to be scheduled again, and they could train and compete with their team! Sports were in their lives for good. All the hard work during the lockdown year of 2020 paid off. In the 2021 and 2022 seasons, they began to make a name for themselves on the track and in the Adaptive Athletic community.

Their accomplishments since they began this journey in 2019 are too long to list here, but take a look at a few highlights.

Emma

Joshua

Lucas

And between the 3 of them (for track and field events in 2022 alone) they won:

And the media! Reporters, both at home and across the nation, began to take notice and share their story; because don’t we all need to be inspired?

And here’s where we are!

HISTORY IN THE MAKING!

In late August, all three of our budding athletes qualified to go to Portugal this November to compete in an international sports competition called the IWAS World Games 2022.

Only 30 athletes were selected across the entire US!

And all three, Emma, Josh, and Lucas, have been invited!

IT IS A CHANCE TO LIVE OUT THEIR DREAMS!

So, I’ve created a simple yet powerful plan with Heidi, Peter and the family. (Isn’t that what we do for the people we love?)

BUT WE NEED YOU! THEY CAN’T GO WITHOUT YOUR HELP.

 

Over the next 60 days, we plan to raise $19,000 to get all three kids and their parental support to Portugal because this family needs their village right now.

Without all of us, they simply won’t be able to go!

From a village in Inner Mongolia to an international competition in Portugal – a dream could come true!


Please, give any amount!

No amount is too small.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

And welcome to our village!