Elijah was born to a teenaged mother who tried her very best to take care of him and his medical needs. She moved to a city where he could have daily dialysis and even continued studying in school. However, it became clear to her that she could not provide him with everything he needed, especially given his medical needs. It seems both Eli and his mother went into protective care together and she would take care of him and accompany him to dialysis, with the foster mother caring for him while she continued her schooling. When she graduated, she knew she could not provide for him the way he needed, and she made the hard and selfless decision to allow Eli to be declared adoptable. Eli has no relationship with his biological father and has no siblings in care.
Elijah thrived in the specialized institutional setting where he received round-the-clock medical care and developmental support during the time his kidney was failing. There he blossomed into a happy, social, and resilient little boy who formed strong, loving bonds with his caregivers. During the time he was receiving dialysis at the institutional setting, he received peritoneal dialysis during the night so that he could be a normal of a child as possible during the day. Even during his illness, Elijah was meeting most of his age-appropriate milestones at the time of this report when he had just turned 3: He walked independently, was learning to run, and had a blossoming vocabulary; he formed simple sentences, communicated his needs, and loved to learn new words. He was receiving ongoing support from a team of therapists (occupational, physical, speech) who helped him make incredible progress.
Elijah is a social butterfly! He is described as loving, expressive, intelligent, and active. He easily forms strong bonds and shows his affection through hugs and kisses. He has a great sense of humor and loves to make people smile. While generally happy, he can become frustrated or sad when his favorite people aren’t near, but he is easily comforted and redirected. He is sensitive to loud noises and chaotic environments but feels secure in a calm, structured setting.
Elijah is all about fun and play! He adores playing with cars, balls, and building blocks. He has a passion for music, and his favorite characters include Mickey Mouse and Gallo Bartolito. He enjoys being active, whether it’s going for walks or playing “chase”. He also loves coloring and watching children’s videos. He shows a budding sense of style and has a particular fondness for his shark-themed sandals! Eli loves being around other people, both children and adults. He interacts easily, shares his toys, and has a generous spirit. He is learning to navigate social rules and follow instructions, showing a strong desire to please the adults he trusts. He forms deep attachments and thrives on positive attention and praise.
Elijah is an extraordinary little boy whose medical needs are/were just one part of his story. Could being your son be in the next part of his story?
