“She thanks me for everything,” says Pam Reynoso about her 10-year-old adopted daughter, May. “Thank you for dinner, thank you for school. None of my other kids ever thanked me for sending them to school.”

In 2005, Pam and Tom Reynoso took a trip to Guatemala to pick up a three-year-old May, whom they expected would be happy and healthy. The May they met was malnourished and in need of immediate medical care. The doctors told the Reynosos that if they brought May back to the United States, she would have a chance to live. May has done much more than that.

In 2005, Pam and Tom traveled to Guatemala to pick up their 3 ½ year old adopted daughter whom they expected would be happy and healthy. Instead, they brought home a little girl who was malnourished and in need of immediate medical care. The doctors told the Reynosos that if they brought May back to the United States, she would have a chance to live. May has done much more than that.

Now 10-years-old, May lives with her parents and older brothers Kyle, Tyler and Zachary in Troy, Missouri. In the past six years, she has undergone a number of medical and surgical procedures that included knee replacements, hip surgery, a tracheotomy, and dorsal rhizotomy, among others.

May continues to learn to walk and talk. Through sheer determination, she makes progress every day. Both she and her family are relieved that she will become increasingly independent. Her parents want her to live a happy life. Those around her know that she already is.