Jon’s Adoption Story — Down Syndrome, Big Surgery, and the Baby Who Changed Everything
I want to tell you about one of the best things that ever happened to our family. His name is Jonathan — Jon — and I am so glad God brought him into our family.
Jon’s adoption story begins before he was born. We found out about him while his birth mama was still pregnant with him — and we knew going in that there were going to be some medical needs. We just didn’t know exactly what. When we got the call that he had been born, that’s when they confirmed it: Down syndrome. And I want to be honest with you — there was a moment of fear. Not fear of him, or of Down syndrome, but fear of myself. Was I enough? We already had two little girls, Hannah (age 6) and Kira (age 4). Was I enough for all of them?
My husband Jason never had that fear for even one second. He said, “God really went out of his way to tell us about this baby all the way across the country. We better listen.” And that was that.
When we sat down to explain things to the girls — trying to put into words what Down syndrome was, that this little boy was always going to be able to do everything everyone else could do, but might need some extra help along the way — Hannah listened quietly. She was six years old. And when we finished, she just looked at us and said: “He needs me.”
I don’t have another word for it except prophecy. They have been inseparable from the moment they met. She is his favorite person in the whole world. I think sometimes that God put them both here just so they could find each other. It had nothing to do with us.
Jon’s Adoption Story: Five Months in the Hospital, a Medical Jet, and a Baby Who Fought for His Life
Jon had his first surgery at eight weeks old. His esophagus was not attached to his stomach. He spent five months in the hospital — five months — before we could bring him home. He has now had three major surgeries to address the medical needs that came with his extra chromosome. And every single time, he came through.
The day we finally got to bring him home, we flew him in on a medical jet. Jon has made it very clear in the years since that every car ride in the family minivan has been a tremendous letdown after that first trip. He came into this world on his own terms, and he has never changed.
Once we got him home and settled in, life opened up in ways I didn’t expect. You hear people talk about how a child with Down syndrome will change your life, and you think you understand what they mean. You don’t. Not until you live it. Jon does not care about stuff. He cares about people. He wants his people around him — his siblings, his mom and dad, his friends, his teammates. That’s it. That’s everything to him. And honestly? It’s made the rest of us better.
He loves the pool and the beach. He loves Buddy Baseball — he’s been playing with the Cyclones for 16 seasons since age 8. He competes in Special Olympics basketball and flag football. He goes with Jason every March 21 to Florida College to participate in a chapel presentation for World Down Syndrome Day — a tradition they both treasure. This year, March 21 fell during spring break, so this video was our way of marking the day. Our little step toward awareness. Because Jon deserves to be celebrated every single day, not just once a year.
He is 16 years old now, born October 11, 2009, and he has been nothing but joy and love from the very first moment. I am so grateful his birth mama chose life. I am so grateful God helped us find our way to Jon, and Jon find his way to us.
More from Jonathan’s Story
Jon’s story does not fit in one post — here are more moments from this extraordinary kid’s life that you will want to read.
- Jonathan’s Last Buddy Baseball Game of the Season — Three Hits and a Home Run — the last game of his 16th season with the Cyclones. Three hits, a home run, and a mama who could not stop smiling.
- Jonathan Was Fighting for His Life While the Roof Came Off Tropicana Field — the long-form video. This one is powerful. Jon was in Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital fighting for his life during Hurricane Milton — the storm that tore the roof off Tropicana Field. Years later, we went to Opening Day at that same stadium. Full circle does not begin to cover it.
- Buddy Baseball Hits — Jon Knocks It Out of the Park! — three at-bats, three hits, and a lunch with his Buddy Jacob after the game. Every single Saturday morning is a gift.
- Jon Scores THREE Baskets at Special Olympics Basketball! — baseball is not the only sport where Jon shines. Watch him on the court and try not to cry. We dare you.
- Jonathan’s First Hit of the Season — Opening Day with the Cyclones — the comeback game after his major surgery. Sixteen seasons. One glove signed by his surgical team. This one will stay with you.
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Jon’s Adoption Story — About the Longstreth Family
Welcome to the Longstreth family! Stephanie and Jason have been married for 33 years and together they are raising five incredible kids — four of whom came to them through adoption, a cause that is deeply close to their hearts. One of their children has Down syndrome and some special medical needs, and advocating for that community is a passion they share proudly. Jason is a preacher, an elder, and a college professor. Stephanie is a stay at home mom and the heartbeat of this household. Life in the Longstreth home is big, busy, beautiful, and never boring — and they love sharing it with you!
