A family was scared when they found out their baby had Down syndrome. But God filled their hearts with love and encouraged them to adopt another child with Down syndrome from China. Now their story is inspiring families and children all over the world.
We all have moments when God asks us to trust Him with something that scares us. Sometimes our biggest fears become our greatest blessings when we let God work through them.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Brady Murray will never forget that day in the delivery room. The doctor pulled him aside and said, “Brady I think your son has Down syndrome.” Brady felt his world collapse.
All his dreams for his son Nash seemed to disappear. Baseball games, fishing trips, hiking adventures – none of it seemed possible anymore.
The hardest part was telling his wife Andrea. Brady grabbed her hand and started crying. “What’s wrong what’s wrong?” she asked. When Brady said the words “The doctor said Nash has Down syndrome.”
Andrea looked down for just a moment. Then she looked back up and said, “Great can I hold my son?”
Brady knew right then that everything would be okay. Andrea’s response showed him how God sees every child as perfect and precious.
Learning About Children Who Need Families
As Nash grew up, the Murrays learned about children with Down syndrome around the world. Many babies born in other countries were placed in institutions right away. Not because their families didn’t love them, but because those countries lacked support and acceptance.
This broke the Murrays’ hearts. They wanted to help but had three young children already.
Andrea had an idea to help. She suggested Brady train for an Iron Man triathlon to raise money and awareness. Brady wasn’t sure he could do it, but he agreed to try.
Training became a family effort. Brady would wake up at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning to train. The whole family would stand in the driveway at 3:30 AM to wave goodbye as he rode off on his bike.
The Phone Call That Changed Their Mission
Then something amazing happened. A stranger called Brady one day. The man said, “You don’t know me, but we have a lot in common. I have a son with Down syndrome, and I’m also an Ironman triathlete. I happen to be the CEO of the presenting sponsor for this year’s Ironman World Championship in Kona, and we want to bring you to Kona to race in the Ironman World Championship and feature your story on NBC.”
Brady couldn’t believe it. This exposure reached people all over the world. People from around the world contacted them, wanting to help orphaned children with Down syndrome get adopted.
This started the organization called Racing for Orphans with Down syndrome, or Rod’s Heroes. Hundreds of children have found families because of this work.
The Decision to Adopt
Years later, Andrea asked Brady about adopting a child with Down syndrome themselves. All those fears from Nash’s birth came flooding back.
The fears didn’t go away completely, but a stronger feeling grew. Brady knew this was what they were supposed to do.
They learned about a boy named Cooper who was found on a street corner in China when he was 6 months old.
The authorities put his picture in the newspaper asking if anyone knew him. Nobody came forward. Cooper lived in an orphanage for four years.
Brady’s feelings about Cooper’s story have changed over time. He now believes Cooper’s birth mother “was doing the very best that she could” and was trying to give her son the best chance at life.
Brady hopes to meet her someday to show her what their son has done. “Whether it’s in this life or the life to come I believe that someday I’ll get to share with her what her son has done,” he says.
Two Brothers United
When the Murrays brought Cooper home from China, Nash could barely contain his excitement.
At the airport, Nash pushed past everyone and ran to the bottom of the escalator. He put his arms up and said “My Cooper.” The boys became “two peas in a pod match made in heaven.”
Cooper’s Baseball Dream
Cooper loved baseball and wanted to play on a real team. Brady worried about how other kids would treat Cooper. He tried to talk Cooper out of it, suggesting they just play in the backyard instead. But Cooper kept asking.
When Brady finally let him try, something beautiful happened. Cooper didn’t just succeed – he thrived. He got hits, stole bases, and even slid into home plate for the game winning run.
The other kids didn’t just accept Cooper. They loved him and cheered him on. That’s when he got the nickname “Extra Super Cooper.”
From Local Fields to Major League Stadiums
Cooper’s baseball success opened doors nobody expected. The Chicago Cubs invited Cooper to throw the first pitch at a spring training game. Then they asked him to do it at Wrigley Field on Memorial Day.
The Red Sox called next, wanting Cooper at Fenway Park.
The family started a campaign to have Cooper throw first pitches at all 30 MLB stadiums to raise awareness about Down syndrome. They’ve done nine so far.
Each appearance helps people see the amazing abilities of people with Down syndrome and encourages families to adopt.
Spreading the Message
Andrea had another idea for spreading their message. They wrote a children’s book called ‘Cooper is Super and So Are You.’ The book tells Cooper’s story but also helps other children feel super about themselves.
They created a special distribution center run by people with Down syndrome. When you order a book, someone with that extra chromosome signs a page just for you.
Cooper visits schools for World Down Syndrome Day assemblies. He helps other kids understand that being different is okay.
His teacher says Cooper gives confidence to children who might have something hard about themselves.
Cooper has big plans for the future. He wants to serve a mission in Hong Kong, go to college, and get married someday.
Nash, now 17, still gives his dad a big hug every day when he comes home from work. He’s done this since he was four years old.
This family shows us how God can turn our deepest fears into our greatest joys. What started as a scary diagnosis became a mission that has helped hundreds of children find loving homes. Their story reminds us that every person has special gifts and that love really can change everything.
Let us pray for all families walking this path, that they would discover the same joy and purpose God has for them.
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