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Alabama Baptist Children's Homes stays at Kimber's side since birth
By Bob Murdaugh
Kimber Parker can hardly contain the bright smile that seldom disappears from her face.
 In fact, this pre-teenager has no intention of hiding the bold self-confidence that readily glows from her heart - a security made possible all of her life by God's blessings through Alabama Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries.
Even before her birth, Kimber was under the protection of the Children's Homes. Her birth mother came to the agency's maternity care home and stayed there until shortly after Kimber's birth. The newborn was placed in foster care through the Children's Homes, and months later, she went to live with Travis and Kim Parker. They eventually adopted her through the Children's Homes.
"Due to Kimber's high level of maturity, we've never felt uncomfortable when talking about her earlier years and adoption," Travis said, before Kim noted that they went through extensive counseling with the Children's Homes to learn how to talk Kimber through life issues and help her build healthy habits.
"Even since Kimber's adoption, the Children's Homes has assured us that they are available to help with professional counseling as she needs it," Kim added.
Kimber was born prematurely and consequently has experienced cerebral palsy. Yet, her strong faith in God and her bubbly, outgoing personality have given her the strength to overcome any physical limitations.
 Two weeks into her kindergarten year, Kimber approached Kim in the kitchen and questioned, "Mother, did you know that nobody else in my class has walking canes? And did you know that nobody else in my class has cerebral palsy?" Kim, startled a bit by her adoptive daughter's unsolicited questions, then watched cautiously as Kimber backed up to the stove, held out the canes on which she had been so dependent, dropped them to her sides, and took five or six independent steps.
"God has taught me to never give up," said Kimber, with a twinkle in her eyes. Her perseverance at school has resulted in her enrollment in the Gifted Program for academically excelling children since the first grade. With Dad, Mom, younger sister Gina, and two-year-old brother Benjamin as her undying cheerleaders, Kimber avidly participates in slow-pitch softball. About all that concerns Kimber nowadays are the adjustments she must make to changing classes in middle school and not going to the same school as Gina. "We've never seen anything that Kimber hasn't faced head-on," Travis quickly reported. "Her limitations have been mostly our protectiveness." |
