GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Clinton and Michael McMurray will officially become parents to an 11-year-old boy named Kaden during an adoption ceremony Monday in Kent County court.
Kaden is excited. He said of his dads, “I think that they’re really proud of me and that their favorite thing is that I filled their heart up.”
The McMurrays’ story transcends the traditional adoption journey in many ways. For Kaden, it started in silence and frustration.
Kaden started kindergarten at West Oakview Elementary School, part of Northview Public Schools. At the time, his biological mom had custody of him, but the state took over guardianship within the next year.
One of Kaden’s teachers, Anna Trupiano, remembers Kaden’s sweet disposition and his inability to communicate.
“He was always very friendly and smiley, but he couldn’t communicate at all — not ‘I need the bathroom’ or ‘my name is Kaden,’” Trupiano said. “He just kind of smiled and pointed. He had zero language.”
Kaden is deaf, and no one in his home knew sign language, so he had no way to identify objects, feelings or anything else.