"I was almost too old to get adopted because when children reach a certain age, they can never be adopted" Sony Regan said.
Sony, a 15-year-old teenager from India, was finally adopted in February just before a global pandemic that could have changed her future forever.
She was just days away from her 15th birthday on June 3rd.
Sony explained she was in an orphanage with 28 other girls and feared she would never have a loving family.
Her adopted family, Shannon Regan and Jay Marsh, along with their two children, Alex Gregory and Chelsea Regan are based in Anne Arundel County.
Sony is now one of two that's been adopted in the Regan family. Shannon adopted Chelsea from China when she was 11 years old.
Shannon says she and Sony barely made it out of India before the COVID-19 lock downs began.
"If I hadn't gone over there and got the final approval to bring her home, she definitely would still not be home. For Sony - she was at risk of aging out" said Shannon Regan, Sony's mother.
She has been with the family for four months.
Now, Sony is on a mission to help other older children receive the same miracle she did. Adoption.
I know people are scared to adopt older children because they think that child might hurt their parents or won't fit in," Sony said. "Actually, I know the adopted child can make your family life better.
Sony has a facial difference for which she was severely bullied in India. Her mom, Shannon Regan, said "She was not able to attend school because she was bullied by kids and educators."
Sony recently wrote a two-page letter about why adopting older children is important.
"I was adopted and maybe I could help someone else" said Sony.
Of course, adoption didn't come without its challenges for Sony. "Lots of changes, I didn't know if I was going to be a very good girl," Sony explained "I had to teach myself lots of new lessons."
Shannon said "Coming home here to a whole new culture, family, environment. On top of that, the coronavirus and lock down. There has been a lot of trust on her part that there is a world out there here, we just need to get out there safely."
Shannon credits Reece's Rainbow, a special needs adoption support group, for giving her information she needed to proceed with adoptions.