Baby Loses Legs When Her Dad Tries To Get Rid of Her, Finally Finds Loving Parents

When a little girl's life in Vietnam was almost over because of her father, fate surprisingly united her with a couple who yearned to have another child. What happened in the years to come left people around her inspired.

Haven Shepherd was born on March 10, 2003, to a woman whose partner was reportedly already married to another woman. According to reports, the newborn's mother was devastated to learn this, and when she protested, things took a turn for the worse.

Haven's father tried to take Haven and her mother's life when she was 14 months old. Both her parents died in the incident, but the little girl miraculously survived. Since the family lived away from the city, Haven's grandmother took her to the nearest hospital miles away on a motorbike.

The Injured Baby

Taking an injured infant to the hospital while riding a motorbike on a bumpy road, Haven's grandmother wasn't sure if the little girl would survive. Once they reached the hospital, the doctors had no option but to amputate the little girl's legs below her knees.

The little girl spent the next few weeks in the hospital while the doctors examined her and tried their best to make things better for her. Haven recalled:

"I was supposed to die that night, and I almost did."

Financial Problems

After growing up, Haven had no memories of the terrifying incident that almost claimed her life. Her grandparents told her that her parents wanted to live together, and when they couldn't, they decided to end their lives.

Since her grandparents were poor, they didn't have enough money to cover Haven's medical expenses. They hoped the doctors would treat Haven on donation money, unaware that the little girl's life would soon take a pleasant turn.

When Shelly saw little Haven for the first time in Vietnam, she felt an instant connection.

Haven's grandparents approached welfare organizations, and their problem was shared with the locals in a newspaper report. Soon, someone read about Haven and decided to take her to the U.S. for a better future.

A Family of Eight

While Haven underwent medical treatment, a couple in Missouri yearned to have another child. Shelly and Rob Shepherd had six children, but the mother thought they could still have one more.

However, Rob wasn't ready to welcome another family member because he had recently lost his brother in a horrifying car accident. He was still coping with his loss when Shelly convinced him to adopt a child.

Welcoming children into their house wasn't new for the couple. They were a kind couple who often fostered kids but had never adopted one. But now, Shelly thought they were ready to take the leap of faith.

An Interesting Opportunity

Soon, an opportunity to visit Vietnam knocked on the couple's door when one of Shelly's friends, Pam Copes, visited Vietnam with her husband, Randy. Their friends had an orphanage in Vietnam, and Copes going there would help them cope with the painful loss of their teenage son.

When Copes and Randy visited Vietnam and helped children, they felt a part of themselves heal. On their trip, they read a news report about Haven and thought the Shepherds would be interested in helping the little girl.

Copes and Randy were in talks with Haven's grandmother, who was ready to send her to their friends' orphanage. However, when the couple learned about the baby's tragic story, they thought it would be better if a U.S.-based family adopted her.

Their First Meeting

When the Shepherds learned about Haven, they visited Vietnam to help with the adoption process. Copes had already found a family who would adopt the little girl, unaware that she would ultimately be a part of Shelly's family.

When Shelly saw little Haven for the first time in Vietnam, she felt an instant connection. She held Haven's little hands for the first time and knew that was the turning point of her life.

The couple spent some time with Haven before it was time for her to go to the U.S. Shelly felt happy that the little girl, who had endured so much pain, would finally have a family, an adoptive family that had agreed to raise her.

Her Wish Came True

However, a part of Shelly didn't want to let Haven go. She wanted to keep her forever, unaware that her wish would come true six days later. The adoptive family told Copes they had changed their mind. They didn't see themselves as fit to raise a child with special needs.

On November 19, 2004, Haven entered the Shepherd house, which marked the beginning of a beautiful chapter of her life. She said her parents traveled over 8,000 miles to take her to the U.S. when her father wasn't sure if he'd adopt her. She added:

"I won him over! I stuck to him like glue."

Her Interest in Sports

Haven quickly adjusted to her new family. It seemed like she was the missing piece of the puzzle that the Shepherds had been looking for. They were delighted to have her in their lives, and she couldn't have imagined having an adoptive family better than theirs. People around her called her "the miracle child."

While growing up, Haven saw her siblings play different sports. Their interest in athletics made the little girl curious, and she tried various sports and ultimately stumbled across swimming―the sport that would take her places.

Haven swam for the first time when she was ten and never looked back. She felt swimming empowered her because she didn't need anyone's help to do it.

Formal Training

Two years later, she began training with a team where the U.S. Paralympic team noticed her. In 2018, fate surprised her with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of participating in an international event. She said:

"I got to wear the USA across my cap and that was super cool."

Looking at her swimming times and her determination, her trainer said she has a good chance to represent the U.S. Paralympic Team, and that would be nothing short of a dream for Haven.

A Role Model

Besides pursuing her passion for swimming, Haven spends time with amputees like her. She feels happy to be a ray of hope for other children like her.

Haven feels life gave her two options: to pity herself or raise her head and live confidently. She didn't have enough disabled people around her growing up, and she always saw people staring at her prosthetic legs. Despite the stares, she remained confident and flaunted her "cool legs."

While looking back at her life, Haven never feels upset or regrets anything. She feels her journey empowered her to become the best version of herself, and we think she will achieve the best things in life with her positive attitude.

Haven's inspiring story proves one should never settle for less. The little girl didn't let her circumstances define her future. Instead, she worked hard, explored her options, and did what she thought best suited her.

Click here to read another inspirational story about a poor girl labeled 'Miss Garbage' due to her waste collector parents. She became a beauty queen years later.