Family Overcomes Grief, Shares Inspiring Adoption Story

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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A family broken by grief finds strength that leads to the greatest blessing of all: Family.

Trying to make sense of deeply rooted sorrow, Brenda and Gary Gorman have had quite a life journey.

After losing their daughter Zia, who passed away during the process of adoption, the Gorman family continues to grow.

Unable to have kids on their own, in 2013, they got a call from the international adoption agency they had been working with for another little girl named Aisha who was born with celebral palsy.

International adoptions can be tricky especially for kids with special needs. It can take years.

While Brenda was living in Africa and got stuck trying to get Aisha home, the agency matched another child to Gorman family

Her name is Abigale. She was discarded at birth and rescued by people in the African village where she was born.
She is blind and believed to be autisic.

The Gormans say they wanted to bring home a child who otherwise would not have an opportunity like their daughter Zia, who was 4 when they adopted her. But because of Zia's terminal illness during the process of adoption, time was not on their side. She had a heart condition and was rushed to the hospital from the airport. Zia died 33 days later before her adoption was official.

But Brenda Gorman was bound to make Zia an official part of the family even after she died. Finally a judge in Dallas helped them finalize the adoption with pictures.

Today, always with Zia in mind, the Gorman's are a happy family of 5. Eliana is 8 years old. She was adopted at birth in Texas. Aisha is full of personality who joined the family from the African nation of Niger in April. Abigale completed the family in September.

The Gormans say they are most thankful for the loss they have endured,

"If we didn't go through losing Zia, if she didn't pass away and leave us with such a hole in our hearts, we would not have Abby and we would not have Aisha" said Brenda.

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