It is 8,000 miles from the Panera Bread in Frankfort to Zhengzhou, China, but every journey—no matter how long—begins with a single step. For some, those steps just became a little easier. And it all began with the heart-felt dream of a lifetime.

By the time our story begins, Audrey and Ryan Roling were raising two boys, Nathan and Bennett. “The boys had gotten older, and we were finally able to take our first vacation on our own,” Ryan recalls. “We hadn’t gotten very far when Audrey asked if we could stop, grab a cup of coffee, and have a serious conversation.”

“Adoption had always been on my heart since I was young,” Audrey adds. And while they had occasionally talked about adding to their family previously, it was only after their discussion at the Panera Bread in Frankfort where they decided to grow their family through adoption. It was to be the first step of many in a lengthy process.

“We began meeting with adoption agencies and experts and while there are hoops and hurdles to jump over, doors just kept opening for us.” “Our intent from the beginning was to adopt a child with special needs,” Audrey adds, “We met with the Adoption Assistance, and we quickly saw a need that would be a good fit for our family.” 

Supporting that decision is the fact that both Audrey and Ryan’s moms both worked with special needs children. “This just gave us a boost of confidence that our families would be open to a child with special needs,” Ryan said.

“Through the entire process everyone was so supportive. Our family, friends and our Beargrass family was there to support us every step of the way.”  Audrey adds.

While there were complications, steps to take and a lengthy process to follow, the Roling’s eventually found themselves in China where they would meet their daughter, Nora for the first time.

They still clearly remember the bus ride to the home where Nora was staying. When the door opened, there she was, cradled in her caretaker’s arms.

“Looking back, we were a bit naïve, Audrey remembers. Nora, by then, was 23 months old and she was not happy at all being separated from the lady who had taken care of her up to this point. But it did not take long for her to make the adjustment.”

“She has always had this wonderful personality—full of laughter, playful energy, and a spirit that is simply unstoppable. She is the kind of child you connect with instantly,” Ryan says. “We’d love to take credit for her personality,” he adds with a smile, “but it is hers alone. It’s just how she’s made.”

Nora was born with a congenital limb difference that required the partial amputation of her right leg.

“Our faith carried us through every part of this journey, and we trusted that everything would be okay. Our prayers were answered when Nora came into our lives—we knew she was being held, loved, and watched over by God. It was a deeply humbling experience.”

Audrey and Ryan both laugh softly. “Nora has taught us so much about life,” they say. “And with our two wonderful boys, we truly feel blessed as a family.”

Still, there are challenges. “As a growing child, using a prosthetic limb can be a daunting, ever-changing process. Wanting Nora to have a normal childhood, we realized her comfort and ability to do what she wants to do, play with friends, participate in sports and activities, and simply enjoy life, is vital,” Ryan explains.

Prosthetic limbs can be expensive. According to the National Institute of Health, pediatric prosthetic limb costs vary widely depending on the type, technology, and customization. Lower extremity (leg) prosthetics for children typically range from about $5,000 to $50,000. These figures include the prosthesis itself, but fitting, adjustments, and maintenance are additional.

Ryan laughs, “Nora, being incredibly active has broken every prosthetic leg she has had! We’ve yet to find a “Nora-proof leg!”

Insurance is often a barrier, typically only covering one device per year. Yet, full mobility includes customization and activity specific devices. There are different prosthetics for walking and running. In Nora’s case as she grows her prosthetic leg must be changed to accommodate her growth.

Several months ago, Ryan and Audrey became interested in “So Everybody Can Move” an advocacy group for adults and children who have experienced limb loss. According to their website –Movement is medicine and physical activity is a right, not a privilege. But today, millions of children and adults in the United States with limb loss, limb difference, and mobility impairment are unable to afford and access life-changing prosthetic and orthotic care that helps them be physically active due to inadequate insurance coverage. So, Everybody Can Move is mobilizing grassroots advocates to champion local, state-by-state legislative change.

Audrey and Ryan stepped forward to help lead the effort to pass legislation in Kentucky that would improve and expand insurance coverage for those with limb loss. On January 15, 2026, Senate Bill 97 was introduced in the Kentucky Legislature. In March, Nora, Audrey, and Ryan—along with Cindy Mullins, a quadruple amputee from Lincoln County—were invited to testify before the Senate in support of the bill.

The legislation passed both the Senate and the House unanimously and was signed into law by Governor Beshear on April 7.

In summary, SB 97 ensures that Kentucky’s health plans must cover prostheses and orthoses starting in 2027, with clear standards for coverage, network adequacy, and consumer rights, marking a significant expansion of health care access for individuals with mobility or limb loss.

“We were blown away by the amount of support from the legislature and the Governor,” Audrey explained. “So many Senators and House members recalled personal family stories and their own experience knowing someone with limb loss. They saw the value in the law.” 

I asked Audrey and Ryan what this means for Nora and their family.

Ryan said, “It felt so good to be a part of positive change for sure. Audrey adding “It is beyond our wildest dreams. It provides for an activity specific device and making the process of navigating insurance so much easier.”

For instance, “Nora is enthusiastic about playing golf. Prior to the legislation we would have had to pay for an additional prosthesis out of pocket. Now, we will only have to pay our insurance copay. It is not an overstatement to say; this is life changing for Nora and now financially feasible for us!”

And the Rolings would like to celebrate their journey with Beargrass particularly as the new “Welcome for All” task force recently announced. The “AIM” or Access Inclusion Ministry will serve to put an accessibility lens on our building and activities at Beargrass to ensure everyone has access to our church.

As the Governor said recently at the Ceremonial signing of SB 97 at Beargrass Christian Church, “Health care is a basic human right and SB 97 provides for accessible and affordable health care for those who have experienced the loss of a limb. It is the right thing to do.” 

A single step from that Panera Bread in Frankfort to China—holding little Nora for the first time, and most recently standing in testimony before the Legislature—has carried the Rolings on a round‑trip journey of faith, love, and fierce determination to ensure Nora enjoys a full, ordinary childhood.

God will no doubt continue to bless the Rolings as their story unfolds. And now, because of their courage and witness, children and adults who have experienced limb loss will find their own steps becoming a great deal easier.