Share the love for Adeline
AMY DAVIDSON PHOTO
Adeline Deal, who is fighting for her life, needing a heart transplant
Adeline Deal, Age 12 of Batesville, was born with Ebsteins Anomaly and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. These are both heart conditions. She was born in China and was in the system of an adoption agency. They had a concern of allowing her to be adopted because of the conditions of her heart at an early age. Today her story will make an impact in this community.
Brayton and Jeneen Deal, of Batesville, 11 years ago started their process of wanting to give children a special place in their home. They told the Osgood Journal, “What set us down this path is we lost a child, so we thought we were led by the Lord to start this new journey.” They started their adoption process with China. When going through the process of adopting Adeline, the adoption agency told them they needed to pick another child because her heart was so bad she wasn’t going to make it. As recommendation was made, they adopted two other children and brought them home. They continued to support Adeline so that she was able to stay in a foster home in China. Shortly after they were back from China, the agency stopped taking funds and the Deals thought Adeline had passed away.
The Deals started a second process later to adopt more children from China. They stated to the Osgood Journal, “We saw Adeline’s little face pop up on the children needing to be adopted and knew it was time to bring her home.” Adeline was now three years old and still a sick little girl.
Since bringing her home, she excelled despite of her sick heart. She began to walk, eat on her own, and quickly learned English. The Osgood Journal asked Adeline what her favorite thing to do as a hobby and who was her favorite teacher, and she replied, “Music! I love music and I love to sing. My favorite teacher is Mrs. Elston.” Elston teaches special education and life skills class at the Batesville Middle School.
This family is a true blessing of the special love they share in their home. Brayton and Jeneen have opened their home to foster care and adopted children of all ages. They have adopted eight children and have four of their own, their oldest now 36. Jeneen said, “Some may call it a ministry, it is just really having a blessed and extended family.”Throughout Adeline’s young life, she has been in and out of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for her heart condition. She has grown so much and now her heart can’t sustain her. Adeline needs a new heart.
According to the Deals, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital has a requirement that anyone receiving a transplant is required to receive the COVID and Flu vaccination to be put on the transplant list. The Deals have strong religious beliefs in not taking these vaccinations. Because of this, the Deals say the hospital is refusing to further the process of helping with Adeline’s transplant needs.
Jeneen and Brayton Deal are fighting for their beliefs and to save their daughter’s life. They have been trying to get a bill passed In Ohio that will stop the mandates to get these vaccinations and have a choice. Jeneen stated, “The laws need to be changed. This will save thousands of children that struggle like Adeline.”
As the Deals have been doing much research to help get Adeline on the transplant list, a lot of media and State Representatives have stepped up to help this special family. OAMF President, Stephanie Stock joined Strictly Speaking with Bob Franz. Stock is fighting to get Bill 319 passed for not only Adeline but for children that should not be denied help for any medical attention. “We need to get this legislation passed so this never happens again.”, said Stock during the interview with Franz. They are asking for House representatives and co-sponsors to help get this bill passed. Channel 5 and Fox 19 will be interviewing the Deals to share their story in hopes to reach out with National coverage i to help Adeline’s case.
The family has set up a go fund me because as of today they are not able to get Adeline’s surgery with insurance and will have to pay for her transplant and care out of pocket at another hospital. The Deals are asking for the communities to help save this little girl’s life. Anyone can send any donation to their home address 120 S. Elm St. Batesville, IN 47006. They are working on setting up a bank account for more funding as PayPal and other online options are expensive with fees.
“God is sustaining her until the next process! She has good days and bad days. Just really wants to be independent,” Jeneen and Brayton concluded with the Osgood Journal interview. Please help share Adeline’s story and allow a miracle to happen for this family. Fight for Adeline!
