When Diane and Frank Elliott had trouble conceiving after their marriage in 1992, they chose adoption. Ten years and eight adoptions later, the Elliott’s have the family that they’ve always wanted. Although caring for eight special needs children on a tight budget can get tough, Frank Elliott says that they “wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Their son Vladamir, 7, was born with SOX2 anophthalmia syndrome, a rare disorder that caused him to be born without eyes and with severe developmental delays. Althought Vladamir requires constant specialized care, he lives life with grace and calm and helps anchor the family.
7-year-old Vladamir Elliott, affectionately nicknamed "Vladdy", laughs as he climbs down the stairs on April 17, 2012. Vladdy has anophthalmia syndrome, a rare disorder that caused him to be born without eyeballs. His disorder causes abnormal development in not only his ocular region but also other parts of his body. Because of this, his legs can bend in ways that most kids can't, making not just walking, but also crawling, quite difficult. / Photo by Kelley King
Vladdy celebrates with his father, Frank Elliott, after putting his arms into the sleeves of his shirt by himself on April 12, 2012. Frank and his wife, Diane Elliott, adopted Vladdy four years ago from an orphanage in Serbia after hearing that none of the other kids would play with him. / Photo by Kelley King
Frank brushes Vladdy's teeth. Although Vladdy is almost 8 years old, his disorder causes severe delays in the development of his motor skills, making him reliant on his father to get ready for school. Frank, who works from home, said that sometimes it is a struggle to get Vlad out the door, but he enjoys watching his progress every day. / Photo by Kelley King
Vladdy is buckled in by his bus driver on a special handicap accessible school bus. Since being brought to America, Vladdy has had the opportunity to go to a normal elementary school, something that was unavailable in Serbia. His genetic disorder affects about 1 in 300,000 individuals, usually with no history of the disorder in the family. When his biological parents found out that he would have special needs, they decided to give him up for adoption. / Photo by Kelley King
Vladdy's special learning instructor helps Vladdy order lunch. Vladdy's developmental delays make it hard for him to communicate and talk to other children, but the teachers at the elementary school have developed a yes or no system which allows him to make his own choices and even pick his lunch. / Photo by Kelley King
Vladdy rests after rocking on his wooden rocking horse for over an hour. His mother, Diane, said that his horse and bike are two of his favorite toys. Although he cannot walk on his own, he likes to ride both of them around the house. / Photo by Kelley King
Vladdy receives a hug from his little sister, Nadine, after she apologized for accidentally stepping on his toes. Nadine was adopted with her now-brother, Manny (not shown), by the Elliotts after an earthquake struck her home country, Haiti. / Photo by Kelley King
Vladdy gets a kiss from his mother, Diane Elliott, after she returned home from work. Diane works at the local hospital as a pediatric nurse, which she says helps with taking care of Vladdy and her other children. She also survived a battle with eye cancer, but had to have one of her eyes removed while she was sick and takes a special interest in children with optical issues. / Photo by Kelley King
From left, Frank, Diane, Manny, Niko, Vladdy, and Alex Elliott play a game that they invented for Vladdy, called "earthquake". After each family member says something good that happened to them that day, they all make an earthquake sound by hitting the table, which makes Vladdy giggle and everyone else laugh, too. The Elliott's have adopted 8 children over the last 10 years, each with special needs. / Photo by Kelley King
Diane cheers with Vladdy after he wiped his face on his own after a snack. Diane claps and cheers when Vladdy accomplishes something to let him know that he's doing we / Photo by Kelley King
Vladdy's sister, Niki, plays with him before bedtime. Niki and Vladdy have a special bond, and he can often be found playing with her. / Photo by Kelley King
Diane holds Vladdy as the family prays together in the living room of their home. The Elliott's are religious and make a point to pray as a family before they fall asleep at night. / Photo by Kelley King
Diane tries to relax Vladdy and make him fall asleep by counting down from 10 quietly. When Vladdy can't sleep, she often puts him on the floor in the living room where he can tire himself out. / Photo by Kelley King
Diane Vladdy out of his bedroom late at night. Because he cannot see light, Vladdy often has trouble sleeping at normal hours, and can keep up his siblings who share his room when he is restless. / Photo by Kelley King