When Christianne and Jeremy Green traveled from the U.S. to China to adopt a child, they had no idea their lives would be forever changed by an armless Chinese girl named Sophi. Born armless, Sophi had been living in an orphanage alongside her blind older sister Lacey, waiting for a family willing to look beyond their physical disabilities. And that’s exactly what the Greens did.
Christianne recalls the moment they first saw Sophi: “We were mesmerized by her eyes. Before we even noticed her missing arms, we felt something so powerful — this little girl needed a home, and somehow we knew we were meant to give it to her.”
Why people laughed at them — and why they didn’t care
To some, adopting a severely disabled child from another country seemed like madness. People openly questioned the Greens’ decision. Why take on such a challenge? Why not adopt a healthy child?
But Christianne and Jeremy weren’t looking for easy — they were looking to make a difference. Originally planning to adopt only Lacey, they were instantly taken by Sophi’s charm and determination. And when they learned the two girls were biological sisters, it sealed the deal.
In most cases, Chinese adoption laws don’t allow for the simultaneous adoption of two children. But due to the girls’ special needs, the government made an exception. As Christianne puts it: “They were meant to stay together. Sophi became Lacey’s eyes, and Lacey became Sophi’s arms.”
How an armless Chinese girl learned to do the impossible
Despite her physical limitations, Sophi quickly showed the world what she could do. She learned to eat with a fork, chopsticks, and even comb her hair — using only her feet. At just 7 years old, she dances beautifully to her blind sister’s piano playing, showing grace and confidence that defy her condition.
She once attended ballet classes, but the hand movements emphasized in routines left her feeling out of place. Rather than give up on dance, Sophi began private lessons and started inventing her own choreography — proving that passion always finds a way.
The Greens also made their home more accessible to support Sophi’s independence. They installed door handles she could open with her chin and bought a custom-made bicycle she could pedal with her feet. One memorable moment? When they first gave her an ice cream cone, assuming they’d need to feed her — Sophi simply picked it up with her toes and began licking it like a pro.
The tough first day of school — and how she became a classroom star
When Sophi started school, the transition wasn’t easy. She came home in tears after a classmate bluntly asked why she didn’t have arms. The next day, Christianne visited the class, showed a video of all the incredible things Sophi could do, and talked openly with the students.
The result? Sophi became the most popular kid in class. Her classmates now fight for the chance to sit next to her or ride the elevator with her. Her resilience — and sense of humor — won everyone over. When strangers ask what happened to her arms, she’ll joke: “I buried them,” or “A shark ate them.” Laughter breaks down walls, and Sophi uses it well.
What this family learned from adopting seven children with disabilities
Yes, you read that right. Seven. The Greens have adopted seven children with disabilities from around the world. Jeremy, Sophi’s dad, says that children like hers, left in orphanages, often face bleak futures. “In America, we have the means to give them what they need to thrive. These kids bring joy and meaning into our lives.”
Christianne agrees, calling Sophi the family’s “ray of sunshine.” “She’s courageous, kind, determined, and full of love,” she says. “Her lack of arms doesn’t define her — it just makes her story even more powerful.”
Sophi now wants to inspire others, especially children with disabilities. “Don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you love,” she says. Her story is living proof that love, courage, and support can turn perceived limitations into unmatched strengths.
When love crosses oceans: The big-hearted truth behind international adoptions
This incredible journey isn’t just about one armless Chinese girl and the family who embraced her. It’s about a culture of compassion. Chinese-American writer Christopher Kim, who’s lived in the U.S. for 30 years, once shared Sophi’s story on social media. He spoke of the quiet yet profound kindness he’s seen in Americans who adopt disabled children from Chinese orphanages — not for praise, not for money, but simply to give these kids a chance.
Many of these adoptive parents never make headlines. They work quietly, changing lives in the most humble ways imaginable. As Kim notes: “When a society is filled with love, it’s filled with light. Love makes people softer and stronger at the same time.”
Translated article
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