By Rebecca Wood Photos by Heather Gregg 21 Vines Photography
Meet the
KRAFTSON FAMILY The Blessing of Beckett In 2017, Megan and Brett Kraftson were the parents of three young boys. Life for the Kraftsons was full, but not complete. This faith-filled couple felt the Lord’s nudging to expand their family through adoption. Initially, the Kraftsons pursued international adoption but hit numerous roadblocks to placement. Then, the pair delved into domestic adoption, but they continued to face hurdles, setbacks, and even an adoption scam. After a year went by filled with closed doors, Brett said, “I think we should adopt a child with Down syndrome.” Megan recalls experiencing an inner peace about Brett’s suggestion. Soon after, the Kraftsons researched Down syndrome adoptions and linked up with National Down Syndrome Adoption Network (NDSAN) in Cincinnati, Ohio. “We continued to follow the Lord’s direction and leading, and doors
30 Special Needs Living • July 2021
started opening and we started moving forward,” Megan said. Through NDSAN, a family selected the Kraftsons for placement of their baby. In December 2018, the couple received word of the baby’s imminent arrival. The family raced to Northeast Ohio and met their newborn son Beckett at the hospital. The Kraftsons were eager to bring Beckett back to their Fishers’ home, but he remained in the NICU for the first several weeks while working through feeding issues. Almost a month later, the Kraftsons moved Beckett home. Megan remembers that her son was a super easy baby but admits those first few months proved challenging, as Beckett required a barrage of initial doctor appointments. However, the family settled into their new normal. The Kraftsons’ older sons doted on their new brother. Megan recalled a sweet moment when her son Lucas gazed at Beckett and said, “We waited for you for two years, and now you are ours.” Today Beckett is a thriving 2-year-old. Megan calls him a typical toddler who is exceedingly curious and into things.
“He’s the best,” Megan said. “He’s super easy going and sweet. He’s able to find joy in every situation.” Beckett has developed a sense of humor and likes to make his brothers laugh. He enjoys “helping” his siblings practice piano by banging on the keys. He loves attending his brothers’ sporting events. Beckett participates in physical, developmental, and occupational therapy at First Steps. Brett, a special education administrator for the Indianapolis Public Schools, brings his considerable knowledge and expertise to helping navigate the special needs world for his son. But the biggest current challenge is simply time. The family is always juggling Beckett’s therapy schedule and doctor visits with homeschooling the older boys (ages 11, 9, and 6). However, the family never faces challenges alone. They have plugged into
