The Grosshans Family's Journey
When George and Barbara Grosshans moved to China ten years ago, they never dreamed they were about to become parents again.
“I remember when I walked my youngest daughter down the aisle. After the wedding I thought we were done,” says George. “And we were done, until we met Peter.”
In their 50s, and with two grown daughters, the Grosshans were returning to China to continue work they’d started with their first move to Hong Kong in 1971. Since then, they’d split time between China, the US, and Canada, with George teaching English throughout China and Barbara working at orphanages. It was there that she encountered Peter.
“I remember the first time I saw him. He was sitting on the floor of the orphanage playroom. He was two years old but he could not walk yet,” Barbara says. The growth plate in the bone below Peter’s knee had died due to infection, making his left leg unable to grow, and causing him to be given up for adoption. The Grosshans decided to concentrate on finding a family for Peter. “I started out thinking we’d find a nice young couple to adopt him,” says Barb, sure that one of their many contacts would work out.
That year, 35 babies were adopted from the orphanage where Peter was staying, but still no home for Peter. As the Grosshans neared the end of their year long commitment, they knew they just could not leave Peter. “Words came of my mouth that I never dreamed I’d speak: ‘Maybe he’s for us,’” says George. Barbara immediately agreed and they began an 18 month journey of welcoming Peter into their family.
Once the adoption was complete, the Grosshans focused on Peter’s medical care. Shriners Hospital took Peter on as a patient and began the process, through multiple surgeries, of lengthening his leg. For two months this year, the Grosshans stayed at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House at Front & Erie while Peter underwent a procedure to attach an external fixator to Peter’s leg to facilitate lengthening. The family will come back often to continue his treatment. “One of the greatest miracles is the combination of PRMH and Shriners Hospital,” says George. “If we had to find accommodation, we could not afford it and would have had to forgo the hospital.” Barbara agrees. “I can’t imagine what it would be like without the Ronald McDonald House.”
The House provided more than just a place to stay for Peter and the Grosshans. “Peter loves the game room at the House. He learned how to play pool. There are so many books at the House and he just loves reading. The House is filled with artwork and he just loves drawing, and the art station,” says George. “It suited his lifestyle to a T.”
Peter made great use of his time during his last stay, giving a virtual tour of the House to his classmates in China, and also speaking at a local elementary school about his experience. “He’s an amazing child,” says Barbara. “I don’t know how four years in an orphanage could produce such a wonderful child.” And while the Grosshans may not have set out with a plan to adopt in China, they are thrilled that they did. “Peter is the joy of our lives,” says George. “We call him our life’s serendipity.”
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The Heart of the House is our Volunteer program. The volunteers serve in many ways, helping to make the House a comfortable and supportive place for our families. The caring volunteers of the PRMH make this House a home.
