“They” said he was a shy and quiet introvert.

That he was startled by loud noises.

That strangers made him cry.

They said he was cognitively delayed.

That he was well behind his peers.

That he spoke little, learned slowly and would probably be behind.

They said he couldn’t walk.

That his cerebral palsy held him back.

That this precious little boy who has captured all our hearts was “hard to place,” was “special needs” … and would need the gentlest of hands and the most intensive of care.

A week and a half into life in a family — into life where he waves at every stranger and sings songs to every friend; where he bears weight on his legs but just can’t stand alone; where he is the singer, the initiator and the current leader of the wrestling pack — it looks like “they” were wrong.