NAIRI for the Barker family — UT

Burdette and Holly Barker first felt the call to adopt a child with disabilities in October 2023, just six months after the death of their daughter, Lily, who was born with multiple disabilities and a rare disease diagnosis. Becoming parents to a child with special needs was not something that either Burdette or Holly had imagined for themselves. It was a complete shock when they found out that their daughter was born with a life-limiting disease that would take her back to her heavenly home at the tender age of 21 months. Although her life was short, Lily showed the Barker family what a beautiful gift it was to care for and raise a child with special needs. After her death, the entire family felt a huge void in their family and started to consider the possibility of adoption. Due to the extensive medical needs of their daughter, Lily, the Barkers felt confident in their ability to help another child with special needs. In October of 2023, Holly was browsing social media when she came across a post by RODS Heroes about a large number of children in Eastern Europe with Down syndrome who needed families. The entire Barker family immediately felt that they were supposed to adopt one of these children. The very next week, they were signed on with an adoption agency and were awaiting their first home study visit! Fast forward 20 months and the Barker family has been matched with a beautiful waiting child listed here on Reece’s Rainbow! They eagerly look forward to meeting her and bringing her home to her loving family!

8/29/2025 — FIRST TRIP COMPLETE

The Barker Family has also received a $2000 EE4 child grant!

The Barker family has met their $5000 Matching Grant from Reece’s Rainbow!