Blind Man Adopts Son He'd Been Looking For

(CBS)  People will adopt older kids. They'll adopt disabled kids and neglected kids. Kids who can't read, kids who can't talk - there are people willing to adopt.

But all those things in one child? CBS News Correspondent Steve Hartman reports there are few who want that.

Born blind, Pandu was dumped at a hospital gate in India. At the orphanage, he was the one child who was there year after year, until last year. That's when the 5-year-old got swept up by a Denver couple who said he was just what they were looking for: a little boy with his father's eyes.

Jason Fayre teaches blind people how to be self-sufficient. So when he and his wife Lalena, who can see, decided to adopt they chose not to just give any child a home, but to give one special child a real chance - a chance he would have never had otherwise.

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National Federation of the Blind
American Federation for the Blind

"I think we can offer something to a blind child that maybe a lot of other families can't," said Jason.

Pandu is so much better than when they got him. After 5 years in a crib with virtually no human contact, they say Pandu was almost wild. But a year later he's in a mainstream preschool, and he's beginning to speak for the very first time. He's even learning the finer points of picking out a pumpkin.

Of course, he chose a Braille one; like father like son.

"Pandu and him have always kind of had this connection," said Lalena.

Although it'll be years before Pandu can fully appreciate the enormity of his good fortune, there's no doubt he understands something pretty special is happening to him.

You don't have to be a blind man to see that.

[rwsmith29456]

Any adoption with the child's best interests in my mind hopefully are blessed. I think this family is extra-blessed.

[lourispoli]

I was inspired by this story. And grateful to be reminded that there are some very good people out there who do very good things. Gives me hope.

[Heartlight]

As the adoptive parent of a child with several disabilities, this story nearly brought me to tears! Funny thing is, we feel in our hearts we are giving our child the gift of love. After a little while it dawns on you that you are the lucky one! My son has brought such love and joy into my life! I thank God every day my son 'found'me.

[sheila2u-2009]

Beautiful story..I say a prayer that G-d will bring you and your family a lifetinme of happiness for what you have done for this little child.
May G!d bless you all.

[dnamj]

An excellent story. A great example, and a true ray of light.

[wheresmycountry]

Say "seeking", and not "looking for". The blind don't look, and that makes the whole thing sound really ironic.

[sjw1253]

This is a wonderful story. I was extremely touched by this story especially since my daughter is in the process of adopting a 6 year old girl from India. We are very excited and cannot wait for the red tape to be complete as we are very eager to welcome my new granddaughter.

We are well aware of the challenges the orphans face and are very encouraged by the way this child has bonded with his new parents...

btw - the father who raised me (my b.f. desserted us when I was in the first grade) was blind from diabetes. He adopted 5 of us and was a great role model.

In reference to the previous comment regarding a blind person "looking" for a son - blind people may not look with their eyes but surely have alternate senses that kick in that allow them to look at many things those who take for granted their eyesight never see.

[Solarrays247]

Thank you for a wonderful post, sjw1253. I grew up with a playmate in my neighborhood who was blind. You are absolutely correct when you stated that "...blind people may not look with their eyes, but surely alternate senses..." They certainly do develop their other senses in awesome ways!

Take care, and congratulations on your new granddaughter!

[craftycandi]

God bless you both, Jason and Lalena.

[vietnamwar]

Blind Man Adopts Son He'd Been Looking For...

huh? lol

[Solarrays247]

vietnamwar, you don't always need eyes to "see." In fact, sometimes that can be a handicap, you know? You of all people should understand that!

Take care.

[sjw1253]

I'm not laughing... I thought this was a wonderful story and a comment such as this is a cheap shot filled with ignorance.