Ethan has a special smile and he’s not shy about sharing it.
His parents, Michael and Ani, describe nine-year-old Ethan as energetic, outgoing, confident, and a lover of people. His magnetic personality and kind heart spread smiles wherever he goes.
From the beginning of their marriage, Michael and Ani discussed adoption. “Faith is a big part of our lives so we prayed about it a lot,” Michael said. “We felt called to it.” They moved to Lancaster for Ani’s job and while considering what to do with the money they’d made off the sale of their previous home, Ani shared that she wanted to put it toward adoption and they agreed it was time.
Ethan was adopted from China as a toddler and arrived at his forever home in the United States just before his second birthday. Michael and Ani specifically considered an international special needs adoption, particularly cleft lip and/or palate, because as Lancaster residents, they felt reassured that their proximity to the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic would afford their child with excellent resources to thrive.
China had the most stable adoption program at the time, the Stulls recalled, and they applied for adoption after receiving encouragement to pursue a special needs adoption from an orphan care ministry at their church. Michael and Ani matched with Ethan when he was one and a half and met him a few months later.
As the Stull’s have three biological daughters – Grace, Kate, and Millie – Michael stayed with the girls while Ani went to China with a friend to bring Ethan home. Her friend had also adopted children with a cleft from China, so she was able to provide support and encouragement to Ani.
“It was so exciting,” Ani said, reflecting on her first encounter with Ethan. “I had been waiting for so long to meet him.” The Stull family shared in the joy. The girls made a Welcome Home banner to greet their brother.
While in China, Ani learned that Ethan had his cleft lip repaired, but not his palate, so upon returning home, that was a priority. Dr. Samson performed the surgery to close his palate when he was 2.5 years old.
In 2022, Ethan was diagnosed with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). This is a condition where the palate has inadequate anatomy and/or function to produce certain speech sounds. He had a palatal lengthening and buccal flap surgery to improve his speech which cured his VPI.
Since then, Ethan has had a bone graft surgery and worn expanders. Eventually, he’ll get braces.
“We’ve found so much support for Ethan at the Clinic,” Michael shared. “We love that there are all the specialists in one place for a holistic treatment plan. My son gets to have treatment at this place that has such a pioneering approach.”
Ethan looks forward to seeing Dr. Samson at Clinic Team Days. “He loves Dr. Samson,” Michael said. “And Dr. Samson loves Ethan. They joke and make each other smile.”
Michael and Ani know Ethan will continue spreading smiles as he grows and continues to become who he was made to be. “I believe that whatever he wants to do, he’ll be able to do it,” Ani said.
Michael agreed, recounting how his faith has assured him that Ethan will use his energy and outgoing spirit to bless and help others.
And Ethan is already blessing others and brightening their days, with his special smile.
