Stranger Steps in for 7-Year-Old Orphan Weighing Just 8-lbs and Her Love Is Saving Baby Ryan
June 04, 2022
In 2015, Priscilla Morse was intent on saving baby Ryan after seeing a photo of the starving orphan who weighed only 8-lbs at 7 years old. But now, thanks to her love, both Ryan and his life look completely different! (If you’d prefer to listen to the audio version of this story, scroll to the end of this article to find the podcast version below!)
God gave David and Priscilla Morse of Tennessee very special hearts. With 2 biological sons of their own, they decided to open their hearts and home to a little girl from Russia named McKenzie in 2012.
RELATED: Police Officer Adopts And Saves Homeless Heroin Addict's Baby
The 3-year-old had Down syndrome and a heart condition but her new, loving family was completely accepting of her special needs. And at that point, they thought they were done adopting.
But then, in 2014, God led Priscilla Morse to an image she couldn't forget. She came upon the photo of a starving boy so malnourished, he looked more like a baby than a 6-year-old.
The boy, whom they later named Ryan, was literally wasting away in an orphanage in Bulgaria. He wouldn't last much longer unless someone adopted him. And Priscilla couldn't imagine not saving baby Ryan.
She knew she was being called by God to bring Ryan home.
"I don't know how to describe it, but you look at them and you just know," Priscilla Morse said. "We had decided long ago that if we were going to adopt, it was going to be the kids no one was coming for — kids in Third World countries who are locked away in orphanages."
Thankfully, her husband David was completely onboard with saving baby Ryan. So the couple began the process of another international adoption.
Saving Baby Ryan
By November of 2015, everything was finally set for Ryan to come live with the Morse family. Priscilla flew to Bulgaria, ready to bring her new son home.
By now, Ryan was 7 years old. But the emaciated boy weighed only 8 pounds!
RELATED: Baby In Russia Gets Abandoned By His Mother After He Suffers A Terrible Accident In The Hospital
"He was bones and skin," Priscially Morse recalled. "He literally looked like a skeleton. The first thing that went through my head was, 'he's going to die'."
The poor child had a host of medical problems, including cerebral palsy, club feet, scoliosis, and microcephaly -- a birth defect that affects brain growth and head size. Getting him prompt medical attention was crucial for any hope in saving baby Ryan.
Once back in the United States, Priscilla and David Morse rushed Ryan to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
"I had never in my life seen doctors look at a child and burst into tears," Priscilla says.
The devoted mom went on to explain, "They all said there was no way that this kid should still have been alive."
Ryan spent a month in the hospital. Doctors weren't sure he was going to make it. The discovered he suffered from refeeding syndrome, a condition making it difficult for his body to digest nutrients it wasn't used to consuming. Instead, he'd just throw his food back up.
"It was intense for a long time," Priscilla says, "and I think you kind of guard yourself against just how serious it is so you can push through every day and do what you have to do."
Incredible Transformation
Despite all of his challenges and special medical needs, the Morse family never gave up on saving baby Ryan. Doctors were able to fit Ryan with a feeding tube, which helped him get the nutrition he so desperately needed.
As he grew stronger, they were able to start addressing some of his other conditions. And several years later, the miraculous transformation is amazing!
WATCH: Saving Baby Ryan -- 1-Year Transformation
Surgical procedures helped repair Ryan's clubbed feet and spinal rod placement helped with his scoliosis. Proper nutrition has taken him out of newborn clothing to a child's size 5/6. He's also made significant gains with speech and communication and now has a full range of motion in his hands.
Ryan turned 12 in May of 2020. And seeing how far he's come is unbelievable!
Priscilla says Ryan's doctors and therapists are hopeful the boy will continue to thrive and reach his full potential.
It's going to be a long process," she says. "Seven years of neglect can't be undone in a day."
And while Ryan still has a long road ahead of him, the unbelievable progress he's made already is proof enough to never give up.
Inspiration From Beautiful Adoption Story
The story of saving baby Ryan is such a beautiful example of selfless love.
"Everyone deserves a family," Priscilla Morse says. "No one should be written off if they have special needs just because it's going to be hard. Life is hard anyway, so you adjust and you learn, because these kids — they are so worthy."
RELATED: Scam Artist Crushed Their Adoption Dreams Until Stranger Sees Their Story
You can truly see the power love has in the transformation Ryan has made. God has given this family such a special purpose.
Since Ryan's adoption, David and Priscilla Morse later went on to adopt Gigi, a special needs child from the Ukraine, as well as give birth to another biological son, Will.
This story behind this sweet family is truly inspiring. And it helps remind us of how God's love is for His children.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Parents Flying with a Newborn ‘Dumbfounded’ by What Passengers Said After A Diaper Change
And just as He loves us, God calls each one of us to show grace and love to our fellow man.
h/t: Today
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Saving Baby Ryan | Youtube/Inside Edition
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.