Two Boys, Two Continents, One Beautiful Story: The Story of Rusk & Sutter Wurdeman

When Rusk was born, the room filled with unexpected words no parent imagines hearing:

“We’re so sorry.”

Down syndrome had come as a complete surprise. In those first moments, we knew almost nothing about what lay ahead. We were frightened, overwhelmed, and unsure of what our son’s future would look like.

Just one week later, across the world in Serbia, another mother heard similar words when her son, Sutter, was born with Down syndrome. She, too, was frightened and overwhelmed. Sutter was soon placed in an orphanage where he waited for a family. 

At the time, neither of us could see what God was writing.

I held tightly to my son and began learning how to love him, advocate for him, and see the world through his eyes. About a year later, God began leading our family to seek out Sutter. Then came another year of waiting—paperwork, prayers, uncertainty, and hope.

Finally, we brought him home.

Two little boys, born one week apart on different continents, both arriving as unexpected surprises, were woven together into one family by the faithful hand of God.

What began with fear became a story of redemption, love, and God's beautiful purposes.

More Than a Diagnosis

Rusk and Sutter are wonderfully unique, and their journeys have brought challenges we never expected.

Both boys have Down syndrome, autism, and significant vision loss. Our days often involve therapies, doctors' appointments, hard work, and navigating countless unknowns.

There are certainly days filled with uncertainty. There are days when we pray for strength to keep going.

But if you only saw their diagnoses, you would miss the most important part of who they are.

Their laughter fills our home. Their smiles soften weary hearts. Their delight in the smallest things reminds us to slow down and treasure the day in front of us.

Rusk loves swinging, pizza, and his family.

Sutter loves getting into everything, every kind of food, and picking on his brother.

They are brothers. They are individuals. They are funny, joyful, determined little boys who have taught our family lessons we could never have learned from a book or a classroom.

They have taught us patience, compassion, perseverance, and a deeper understanding of unconditional love.

The world may first notice their disabilities. We have the privilege of seeing the incredible gifts God has placed within them.

Rusk and Sutter are not defined by what they cannot do.

They are defined by who they are—and by the immeasurable joy they bring to everyone who truly knows them.

They Changed the Course of Our Family

Rusk changed our family before we ever knew Sutter would be part of it.

Loving Rusk opened our hearts to adoption. Through him, we began to understand that children with disabilities are not defined by limitations. They possess immeasurable worth, and their lives are filled with purpose, beauty, and possibility.

Because of Rusk, we had the courage to say yes when God led us to Sutter.

And Sutter expanded our vision even further.

His journey from an orphanage in Serbia into our family opened our eyes to the countless children with disabilities around the world who are still waiting for someone to see them, love them, and bring them home.

Rusk opened our hearts to one child.

Sutter opened our eyes to many more.

Through both boys, God transformed not only our family, but also our mission.

Their lives have inspired us to advocate for children with disabilities and to encourage others to consider opening their homes and hearts to vulnerable children.

Their story has even inspired a newly released book, helping carry their message of hope and purpose beyond our own family and into the lives of others.

What We Wish the World Knew

If there is one thing we wish more people understood about Rusk and Sutter, it is this:

Their disabilities are only a small part of who they are.

They are not problems to be solved.

They are not burdens to be pitied.

They are boys with unique personalities, deep capacity for love, contagious joy, and immeasurable value.

They may communicate differently. They may learn more slowly. They may need extra help with everyday tasks.

But they experience friendship, laughter, excitement, disappointment, and love just as we all do.

They thrive when people take the time to know them rather than making assumptions about them.

We don't need people to feel sorry for them.

We hope people will welcome them, include them, celebrate them, and expect them to contribute in their own meaningful ways.

Their lives remind us that worth is never measured by productivity, independence, or achievement.

Our worth comes from something far deeper.

Every person is wonderfully made in the image of God.

Knowing Rusk and Sutter has convinced us that the world is richer, kinder, and more beautiful because they are in it.

And perhaps that is one of the greatest lessons their lives have to offer:

Sometimes the people we think will need us most are the very people God uses to teach us what we needed all along.

Rusk and Sutter aren't simply part of our story.

They have helped reveal the story God was writing all along.