Because every family deserves the blessing of a child with Down Syndrome...

Mila (55)

Girl, Born July 5, 2006

FAS and cleft palate

Look at this darling little cupie doll! Mila was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and several complications from that exposure. Her medical records indicate cleft palate, oval window (heart condition), strabismus, and microcephaly (all common symptoms of this condition). But she is also friendly and happy, loves attention, and desperately needs a loving family.

From an adoptive family who visited with her in August 2010: "She was in a group with two other children. The two little boys were in the playpen. She was free to wander but she stayed in the little area for her group. When she would get a little too close to us, her caregiver would say something quietly and she would turn around and return to her group. I was impressed with her ability to follow instructions."

"The afternoon before, I spied her playing and babbling by herself in a shady spot by the front drive. I did not see more than a few children with her. I have seen her playing with others on other days though. Truthfully, there are children here who are probably not going to fit in with a typical family. I don't see Mila as one of those children. She is probably the height of a three year old but wirey, thin, skinny!"

If you are unfamiliar with FAS, please spend some time researching this condition. Just as with Down syndrome, FAS and FAE have a wide variation of effects on each child, both medically, physically, and cognitively. This is typically dependent on how long during the pregnancy the mother consumed alcohol, and of course, how much. There is no way to know this ahead of time.

Mila was blessed to be sent to an older children's home (instead of an actual institution). But she still needs a family quickly.

ADOPTED BY A FRENCH FAMILY