December 2022 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

Youth Feature: Bella Rose Carter- A Story of Love and Family

WRITTEN BY ANDREA HURR PHOTOS BY JULIAN CURET

Hailea and Jordan Carter have had a unique journey with becoming parents as they adopted sweet Bella when she was 5 and a half years old after two years of being her foster family. Bella spent 1,225 days in foster care, and they were able to finally adopt her in March of 2022.

She has sensory processing disorder and autism. She was nonverbal when she moved in with Hailea and Jordan, and they have made it their mission to help her thrive! Bella is currently 6 and attends an integrated preschool and uses an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device and some verbal language to communicate. In order to help Bella as much as possible, the Carters have spent much of their time researching autism, accommodations, interventions, etc.

They learned all about feeding issues related to autism and bought anything they thought would help Bella with her sensory processing disorder. They are also quick to give credit to their extended family for being such a great support system as they adjusted to becoming new parents to a special needs child. They also love their church, which has a wonderful special needs program that has helped Bella feel safe and welcomed each week. Bella also loves her therapy time and talks about her therapists (OT and SLP) all the time. She enjoys going to parks and loves Target (great taste, Bella! Lol).

Hailea keeps a positive attitude with her role as special needs mom. She says children (and adults) with autism are incredible. “They are intelligent and see the world so differently. The way their brain processes information is amazing. I think it’s so important to recognize that ‘behaviors’ and the challenges that our children with autism face are a way for them to share their needs,” says Hailea. “Meltdowns” in autism can indicate things such as sensory overload or a need not being met. Stimming (behaviors such as hand flapping, repetitive sounds, or spinning) is an important way for them to regulate their sensory system. Echolalia is a way that many people with autism communicate (where they repeat what they hear in an automatic way).

Hailea says this type of communication is valid and incredibly important to acknowledge as it usually has a deeper meaning. “Allowing them to stim, communicate in their own ways, and giving them the support they need is extremely important to create a community of acceptance.”

Hailea wants parents and families in the special needs community to know that being a parent or family member of someone who has special needs is a blessing. “All disabilities come with challenges and hard times, but they are some of the most amazing people and make life better!” Her whole life, Hailea has had a heart for people with disabilities because her older sister Chelsea was born with congenital heart defects and suffered a stroke with her second (of three) open-heart surgeries.

Chelsea has been an inspiration to her family and has fought hard her entire life. Growing up with a sister who has special needs taught her family how important these individuals are. She says growing up with Chelsea impacted her and her husband and inspired them to adopt their daughter with special needs.

One of Hailea’s favorite quotes is, “You don’t need to be non-disabled to live a good life.” — Sara Luterman