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Because every family deserves the blessing of a child with Down Syndrome... |
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Alexey
Boy, Born April 11, 2001
Alexey is consdered significantly delayed. He is fully mobile, and oh so handsome! But he has been given a second chance at life, saved from the mental institution and living in this well-kept school setting.
From a family who met him, Sept 2012:
Alexei is really a handsome guy and I think he knows it! He was playing ball with his groupa and is very active. When he was given a cookie from us he said thank you appropriately and made perfect eye contact. He will be a joy to any family with sons at home!
Update June 2013:
Alexey has a very big sweet tooth! He would not put down his lollipop to take a picture- when asked he told us politely “No, thank you.” 
Alex
Boy, Born May 30, 2001
Alex is a handsome young man who is already living in the mental institution. Despite this he has a wonderful, open, and affectionate personality. His medical records indicate congenital hydrocephaly, but he does not appear “hydrocephalic”. Alex is able to walk with assistance, and will truly blossom with family support and therapy.
From his medical records: severe grade of mental delay, congenital hydrocephaly, divergent/external squint, glaucoma, lower paraparesis, and flat foot
As with all children living in these difficult conditions, this child’s cognitive development has regressed significantly since he/she was younger. It is of crucial importance that any family considering the adoption of an older child from the mental institution setting be well prepared for what to expect with regards to how the neglect and lack of adequate medical care and nourishment has affected this child. These children all have TREMENDOUS potential for improvement, and deserve to have a life outside these four walls.
These children are truly living on borrowed time, and families should be home study approved before an official commitment can be made for this child.
Glenn
Boy, Born August 16, 2003
Down syndrome
Glenn has blonde hair and blue eyes. He has Down syndrome, and struggles with the effects of FAS. With this comes strabismus and a valvular heart defect. Despite this, he is doing well, mobile and active and friendly.
As with all children living in these difficult conditions, this child’s cognitive development has regressed significantly since he/she was younger. It is of crucial importance that any family considering the adoption of an older child from the mental institution setting be well prepared for what to expect with regards to how the neglect and lack of adequate medical care and nourishment has affected this child. These children all have TREMENDOUS potential for improvement, and deserve to have a life outside these four walls.
Updated 2012:
Sweet Glenn is such a love! Despite multiple medical conditions he is doing pretty well! He loves to hug and understands commands. His finger motor skills are not well developed. He can eat and use the bathroom independently. He is currently not speaking very much but it does not sound like he attends any speech therapy. He does need help changing his clothes but he is practicing!
This little guy could greatly use a family to help stimulate his speech and his fine motor skills.
These children are truly living on borrowed time, and families should be home study approved before an official commitment can be made for this child.
Colin
Boy, Born December 16, 2002
Colin has the most striking blue eyes! He was born with CP and is not able to walk on his own yet. His upper body seems to be fine, but his legs are affected by the spasticity. Colin has tremendous potential for improvement with therapy and a loving family. He is medically healthy outside of his CP.
From his medical records: microcephaly, CP, spastic tetraplegia
As with all children living in these difficult conditions, this child’s cognitive development has regressed significantly since he/she was younger. It is of crucial importance that any family considering the adoption of an older child from the mental institution setting be well prepared for what to expect with regards to how the neglect and lack of adequate medical care and nourishment has affected this child. These children all have TREMENDOUS potential for improvement, and deserve to have a life outside these four walls.
These children are truly living on borrowed time, and families should be home study approved before an official commitment can be made for this child.
Andrew
Boy, Born December 3, 2001
You know he is the one, when you walk into the building, he runs to greet you and takes you for a tour of the place. Andrew is medically healthy, but shows many of the facial characteristics of FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome). He is cognitively delayed, but active and friendly, with great potential in a family environment.
Andrew is medically healthy, but shows many of the facial characteristics of FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome). He is cognitively delayed, but active and friendly, with great potential in a family environment.From his medical records: microcephaly
As with all children living in these difficult conditions, this child’s cognitive development has regressed significantly since he/she was younger. It is of crucial importance that any family considering the adoption of an older child from the mental institution setting be well prepared for what to expect with regards to how the neglect and lack of adequate medical care and nourishment has affected this child. These children all have TREMENDOUS potential for improvement, and deserve to have a life outside these four walls.
These children are truly living on borrowed time, and families should be home study approved before an official commitment can be made for this child.
Leo
Boy, Born December 4, 2002
Leo’s needs are mostly physical. He is a happy and social child.
From his medical records: lower paraplegia, secondary arthrogryposis, right-side scoliosis, convergent squint
As with all children living in these difficult conditions, this child’s cognitive development has regressed significantly since he/she was younger. It is of crucial importance that any family considering the adoption of an older child from the mental institution setting be well prepared for what to expect with regards to how the neglect and lack of adequate medical care and nourishment has affected this child. These children all have TREMENDOUS potential for improvement, and deserve to have a life outside these four walls.
Kiril
Boy, Born January 20, 2004
This spunky little angel is ready to melt your heart! Kiril has blonde hair and hazel eyes, and a smile that can light up a room! He was born with cerebral palsy. One of our own adoptive families who visited with him in March 2008 said this about Kiril: “ I’m a sucker for blondies and this little guy with his green-brown eyes is adorable! He smiled and wanted to interact with me when I came into the room despite the cries of his neighbor. His smiles were brief but heartwarming and then he was curious about what I was up to. Each time the camera flashed he rewarded it with a great grin! Except it was always right AFTER the flash so I couldn’t capture his sweet smile.”
NEW UPDATE!: What a blessing to still have visibility of Kirill, and know he is still fighting for a chance and waiting for his family to come for him. He is regressing, as he is given little opportunity to stretch or be mobile at all. He needs help for the strength to sit up now, but even still he wears a smile and a light in his eyes. There is a loving, forever family out there for this boy!
From his medical records: infantile cerebral paralysis, double hemiplegia, epilepsy, optic nerve atrophy, multiple cardiopathies, contracture of hip and knee joints
As with all children living in these difficult conditions, this child’s cognitive development has regressed significantly since he/she was younger. It is of crucial importance that any family considering the adoption of an older child from the mental institution setting be well prepared for what to expect with regards to how the neglect and lack of adequate medical care and nourishment has affected this child. These children all have TREMENDOUS potential for improvement, and deserve to have a life outside these four walls.
These children are truly living on borrowed time, and families should be home study approved before an official commitment can be made for this child.
Wyatt
Boy, Born May 2004
SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!
Diagnosis: HIV. He takes daily medication ART (antiretroviral therapy). Very smart, tells poems, can draw, write, is good in mathematics, participates in children’s activities, likes encouragement.
For more info and parent support on adopting and raising a child with HIV, please visit http://www.projecthopeful.org/
Evan
Boy, Born June 2003
Diagnosis: cerebral palsy, epileptic syndrome, significant mental delays. Unable to walk, spastic/tight muscles. Evan is blessed to still be at the baby house (as of March 2010), but once he is transferred, he will spend the rest of his short life bedridden. Please consider being a loving family for Evan!
From a missionary who visited with him in March 2012: Evan is also in the boys new house where just 9 children are. He was gentle, lovey, cuddly and just so sweet. He is severely delayed but a gentle delight to be around and he loved stacking blocks with me. He was picked on quite a bit by the others who I saw hitting him. Felt so desperate for him.
From a family who met him in summer 2012:
One of the boys I worry most about is Evan. He appears to have cerebral palsy. He is stiff and a bit distorted. He does not have the luxury of PT and OT to help him function better. He sits hour after hour in a wheel chair. He will not be one that is given a job on the grounds like the others. As he gets older and bigger he will be moved to a bed and left there. He will be put in a diaper and left in bed – fed there and left – the diaper changed once or twice a day. He will no longer be taken outside he will just be left to lay there.
As I pushed our son’s wheelchair back to the house I waved at Evan. His eyes came to life – he was noticed. Later when I returned he waved and smiled. After that I made it a point to include Evan as much as possible. I would push his wheelchair to where the group was. If we were playing with balloons I would make sure he had one. He soon learned to pop the balloon. He thought it was hysterical. It also got him attention – everyone would look.
Of all the kids there I think he has the most room for improvement. With a family that will stretch him and help him I think he has a ton of potential! He is speech delayed also but again has so much potential.
Jason
Boy, Born April 10, 2003
HELP! I have been transferred to a remote institution, with no hope of finding my family without you!
Jason spends his time either in a crib or in a stroller, sitting outside.
He needs a lot of love and attention … He is a good, sweet child, but he has a lot of self-injuring behaviors. Unfortunately, he is often restrained because he hits himself really hard.
Update Nov 2012: Jason is learning to walk with support!
From a family who visited with him in June 2013: I saw Jason this morning. I got to take him for a walk in the stroller, play with him, feed him (twice!), and get him ready for his nap. He is wonderful. He loved it when I made my hand crawl up his belly and tickle him under the chin. I was rewarded with loud laughing and a huge smile. He liked to have me rub his feet, and whenever I would stop he would stick his little foot up for more. He makes noises but he does not talk. He can walk if he holds both of your hands, but he prefers to crawl as he can go faster. He is the king of the bouncy seat. He sits in it whenever he can, and he shooed away another child who came too close. 
He is about the size of a four year old and is in a 4/5 shirt. He’s heavier than I thought he would be, but I can carry him easily. I’m totally in love.
Families should be HS approved (or close to it) prior to commitment. 10 day wait often waived here. Married couples only, larger families welcome.
Nolan
HELP, I HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED!!
Boy, Born September 2004
Nolan is such a handsome boy! He needs a loving family!
From his medical records: long-term effects of some early trauma (right-side hemiparesis), mild mental delays, seizures, flat feet, farsightedness
He has fine motor skills, understands everything, he talks but it is hard to understand him. Nolan is very physically active, happy and cooperative, friends with other children.
A family living in the states who has 3 children, one who is significantly disabled, has taken a special interest in Nolan but cannot add Nolan to their own family due to the needs of their children. Per the family, “Nolan’s eyes and smile caught our heart. He is close in age to one of our own children. We hope this gift will enable someone to give Nolan the chance to live outside an institution.”
Anderson
BOY, Born December 13, 2003
Anderson is a sweet boy who is blessed to still be at his baby house. He is significantly cognitively delayed, and needs a loving family to help his achieve his potential. He does not have any words, but communicates through other sounds. He is able to walk and is physically active. he is facing the mental institution soon, hope someone will consider him and give him the life he so deserves!
Samson
BOY, Born August 28, 2004
Samson is also blessed to still be at the baby house. He was born with CP and strugges with epilepsy. He has optic nerve subatrophy, and will do great in a family who has experience with vision impairments! The caregivers say he has a great personality! Samson has so much potential!
MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE
Sealey
BOY, Born October 26, 2004
Sealey needs a family….he has severe CP, and is diagnosed with congenital brain malformation; anencephalea (no cerebral cortex). He is not able to walk and needs full care. It wil be so wonderful to see him blossom in a loving family. He is facing the institution very soon.
MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE
Ruslan
Boy, Born November 12, 2002
Diagnosis: Down syndrome
ALREADY TRANSFERRED, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!
Ruslan is a handsome young man who is in desperate need of a family right away. He has strabismus, and is also a CARRIER of Hepatitis B. (www.webmd.com) He is asymptomatic at this time. We are trying to get more details on his Hep B….he is living in the general population of children, so they don’t appear to be very concerned about him transmitting it to other children. (Typically, children with blood-born viruses such as Hep B and HIV are isolated in special orphanages and never available to be adopted, so we are thinking that maybe he tested positive at birth and hasn’t been retested, or he isn’t showing any outwards symptoms).
From a nurse in the infectious disease unit in a pediatric hospital: *** Hepatitis B is something that children in the USA are routinely vaccinated for. If parents have not received the vaccinations, they can easily go to their physician and receive the series. With these vaccinations transmission is extremely minimal as vaccinated parties can have immunity to Hepatitis B. Titers (simple blood test) can also be drawn after taking the vaccines to make sure immunity has been acquired. Hepatitis B is also treatable with medications and people can also just be carriers of the virus. This health condition is labeled chronic, but with proper medical treatment and simple precautions it is very treatable and the risk of transmission is minimal at most. ***
Ruslan has already been transferred out to the institution due to his age, but he can still be adopted!! Families considering Ruslan should be home study complete/approved prior to commitment, as his needs will be great. Please open you heart to little Ruslan….he needs you!
Bobby
Boy, Born October 30, 1998
Diagnosis: Down syndrome
Bobby is described as a kind and helpful boy. He is healthy and active and a favorite of the institution staff. When our missionary visited there, Bobby reached out and kissed the hand of the social worker, old fashioned gentleman’s style! What a cutie!
Bobby has so much potential and could really do well in a loving family environment. He is 13 already, and is one of the oldest of our waiting children. A family experienced with older children with special needs would be a great fit for Bobby! Please don’t leave him here for the rest of his life!
Donations will be accepted for this child when further information is received.
Kristopher
Boy, Born May 2007
HIV+, heart defect, vision issues (blind in one eye), moderate mental delay
Kristopher is a handsome young man with blonde hair and brown eyes. He is very active and is said to be always happy, but he is quite delayed. Kristopher has significant vision issues, which may or may not be correctable.
From a family who met him in October 2012:
Kristopher is a super-sweet boy who is 5 but looks 2 and is happy ALL the time. He needs to live near a large medical facility, have heart surgery (unless it’s too late), and probably needs a small family that can commit to pretty full care for him. He is darling!
Photo from April 2011. Additional photos available.
Vlad
Boy, Born September 22, 1999
From our facilitator who has visited with him: HIV. Vlad is very healthy and has the most striking green eyes! His life story is very typical. The boy doesn't have brothers and sisters, the mother died. Super boy. Physically developed perfectly well. By the fact very healthy, practically never ill. He is very fond of English, reads children stories without a dictionary, speaks good English. The boy is very communicative, always optimistic. He is very supportive with friends and very polite and obedient with the teachers and caregivers. Dreams about obtaining a family.
***Vlad is also an OLDER CHILD, and will have no opportunities if he ages out. His "orphan and HIV status" will follow him the rest of her life. Please give Vlad a chance to grow up knowing the love of a family and having basic the opportunities that he deserves. ***
For more info and parent support on adopting and raising a child with HIV, please visit http://www.projecthopeful.org/
Andrey
Boy, Born November 29, 2002
From our facilitator who has visited with him:
HIV. His life story is very typical The boy doesn’t have brothers and sisters. His mother abandoned him at the delivery house, the father was registered after the mother’s words. Loves to construct, to draw, very assiduous, wants to know everything about What? Where? When and Who? Hardworking, can focus his attention and be concentrated on the most important things. Among children he is very supportive and friendly. For more info and parent support on adopting and raising a child with HIV, please visit http://www.projecthopeful.org/
Yuri
Blonde hair and blue eyes. He has been diagnosed with HIV, but is medically healthy. Yuri is already living in the older child internat/boarding school, but can be adopted with any child from orphanage 37, 38, or 39 as well.
For more info and parent support on adopting and raising a child with HIV, please visit http://www.projecthopeful.org/
Lorena
Girl, Born November, 2005
This beautiful, brown haired, blue eyed angel was born with a lot of strikes stacked against her. That doesn't mean she doesn't deserve a voice or a chance to have a family who loves her and can help her be all she is able!
From her medical records: CEREBRAL PALSY. Inborn defect of brain development (hypoplasia of right hemisphere, cerebellum, mosaic body). Syndrome of spastic tetraparesis; stage of motion defect. Secondary microcephaly. Hip dysplasia. Secondary miocardiopathy. Mental delay. Strabismus.
Lorena is facing the mental institution soon, and will remain bedridden for life if she is not adopted.
Irina
Girl, Born March 5, 2005
Irina is a beautiful girl with dark hair and big dark eyes. She has a cleft palate. She is cognitively delayed, likely as a result of FAS. She is a precious and happy little girl, and will do great in a family. She can be *assertive* at times, but responds very well to individual attention and will really thrive as the “baby”. She is facing the institution soon, and she needs a family quickly!
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.
Irina has been transferred to the older child internat now.
Talia (26)
Talia (26)
Girl, Born March 17, 2007
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
This darling little girl is 5 years old now. She is walking and active, and is waiting for her “forever family”. She was born with FAS, and has many of the facial features common to this condition. Talia is actually diagnosed with FAS, so there must be documentation of consumption during pregnancy in the records.
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.
Talia is living in the same orphanage as Janie is and they can be adopted together.
Darina
Girl, Born October 2007
Oh Darina, how she has regressed 
(( We had such a darling photo of her from two years ago, and to see her like this now breaks my heart. She could have come so far and been spared this ;(
Darina struggles with CP. She has compensated internal hydrocephaly as well. She is not able to walk on her own. From her medical records: congenital brain abnormality, atopic-astenic syndrome, delay of mental and motor development, microcephaly, hip dysplasia, congenital isotropy of both eyes, koch valga to the left (foot position)
Darina is facing the institution soon and will remain bedridden for life if she is not adopted
Janie (26)
Janie (26)
Girl, Born March 8, 2006
So glad to have an updated picture of Janie! She is blessed to still be at the baby house, but she will remain bedridden for the rest of her life is she is transferred.
Janie is a beautiful little girl who struggles with the effects of FAS. She also has CP and some effects of hydrocephaly. She is not able to walk on her own, and will need the loving and patient care of a family to help her achieve her potential.
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.
Arlene
Girl, Born May 2008
Oh, Arlene…..from her medical records: after-effects of congenital toxoplasmosis, complex secondary hydrocephaly, episyndrome, hernia
Update June 2012: doing GREAT! Growing and happy, and needs a family!!!
This region typically waives the 10 day waiting period for children with special needs. Please consider one (or more!) of these beautiful angels from orphanage 41.
MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE
Violetta
Girl, Born September 2008
Oh sweet girl Violetta is 4 now and is facing transfer this year. She urgently needs a family!
From her medical records: FAS, syndrome of movement disorders in form of two-sided pyramidal insufficiency, condition after surgery: abdominal incision, bowel resection (September 19, 2008), end-to-end abdominal anastomosis as a result of enterocolitis and serous peritonitis, examination stage and assumption of partial optic atrophy, slight protein-energy malnutrition, defficiency anemia.
Wendy (6)
Girl, Born June 25, 2006
Wendy is a beautiful girl with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. She was born quite premature (not sure which gestational week, but it is listed as “4th stage”). She has CP and is completely blind, with congenital cataracts in both eyes, optic sub-atrophy, and microcephaly.
Despite all of these odds stacked against her, she is an orphanage favorite and is well loved. She will really blossom in a loving family, and learning to use her other senses will open up the world around her. Wendy is already 6 now, and is facing the institution soon. She needs a family right away!
Grant
Boy, Born January 24, 2005
Diagnosis: Down syndrome
This monkey reminds me of Reece! Maybe it’s the buzz hair cut, or the dark eyes….or the “I’m faster than you” look in his eyes! Grant is HEALTHY, active, walking/running/climbing, feeding himself, many words. Grant is already 7 and has been transferred to the older child institution. Hope someone will consider him!
Grant is HEALTHY, active, walking/running/climbing, feeding himself, many words. Grant is already 7 and has been transferred to the older child institution. Hope someone will consider him!
Miranda
Girl, Born August 25, 2004
Cerebral Palsy
SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!
What a beautiful little girl! Wispy blonde hair and bright blue eyes! Miranda is healthy and developing well out side of her CP. She is an orphanage favorite. Waiting for more info on her ability to walk/speak, etc.
She has two younger siblings, their status is not known.
She was transferred from her baby home, and still waits for her family. She has been listed for SO long!!
Camille
Girl, Born June 4, 2007
Camille is a beautiful girl who deserves a life outside of this crib! She is diagnosed with hydrocephaly and CP. She has a precious smile (please inquire for more photos) and a will to survive and THRIVE!
From her medical records: hydrocephaly, symptomatic epilepsy, deep mental delay, kidny development pathology, extra right kidney, partical otrophy of vision nerve, flat feet
Valery
Girl, Born September 27, 2006
Valery was born with CP and spina bifida. She has significant strabismus and “progressive hydrocephaly”. She is not able to walk, and is significantly delayed in all aspects. But she is still beautiful and deserving and can truly thrive in a loving family, with access to adequate medical care and nutrition. Valery will remain bedridden for life, and will likely not survive the transfer to the institution. Won’t someone consider being her “forever family”?
More photos available, please inquire.
Nastya
Girl, Born July 27, 2005
Nastya was born with spina bifida and minor hydrocephalus. She has had corrective surgery, but is not able to walk. She has already turned 7 and needs a family right away to save her spending the rest of her life bedridden in a mental institution.
PLEASE HELP!
More photos available, please inquire.
Victoria
Victoria (43)
Girl, Born December 4, 2004
Diagnosis: mental delay, microcephaly, partial hemiparesis, kyphoscoliosis, crossed eyes.
Nana
Girl, Born January 22, 2007
Nana is a precious little girl with sunshine blonde hair and blue eyes. Her medical records indicate prenatal alcohol abuse, resulting in severe CP and hydrocephaly. I so wish we had a better photo of Nana, and hope to get one soon so she has a better chance of finding a family to save her.
More photos available, please inquire.
Kiril
Boy, born July 2003
Little Kiril was born with microcephaly (a small head) as a result of FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome). He is considered significantly delayed. He has brown hair and brown eyes, and so desperately wants to know life outside of this orphanage. He is a darling little boy, and the orphanage director would so love to find a family for him soon. He is able to stand, and can walk with help, but his speech is very delayed. With therapy and a loving family and educational opportunities, Kirill has so much potential in life!
Kiril has been transferred to a special needs school, not an institution. We have several other children waiting there who could be adopted with him.
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.
UPDATE fall 2012:
Kiril is making progress, he can walk independently, he tries to service himself, tries to hold a spoon and eat by himself. He doesn’t speak, but tries to repeat words. He is very nice, quiet, not aggressive and very handsome, all caregivers love him.
He needs a family NOW.
Daniel
Boy, Born January 2006
HELP! I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TRANSFERRED!
Daniel is facing a bedridden life in the mental institution without your help! Poor Daniel struggles with many health complications, but he can truly reach his full potential with a loving family. He has CP and hydrocephalus, along with some symptoms of epilepsy.
From his medical records: congenital hydrocephalus, spastic tetraparesis, movement disorders, symptomatic epilepsy, severe mental delay, partial optic atrophy.
From an adoptive family in summer 2012:
Daniel is not doing well. His head has enlarged quite a bit and both times I saw him he was lying down in a raised toddler bed. He clearly needs medical help for the hydrocephalus.
This region typically waives the 10 day waiting period for children with special needs.
Sergey
BOY, Born June 15, 2006
Sergey needs a loving family who can help him achieve his full potential. He is destined to be bedridden for his very short life if he is not adopted. he is able to sit on his own and does his best to get around. He is significantly delayed and really needs a family! Sergey is facing imminent transfer to the institution.
From his medical records: congenital brain anomaly, spastic tetraparesis, simptomatic epilepsy, generalized tonic clonic seizures, cryptorchidism, adenoid vegetation, bending-movable contractures of the hip joints, deficiency anemia, mental delay
Nate (26)
BOY, born August 2006
Nate is a handsome young man! He was born with CP, and has some vision problems as a result of CMV (cytomegalovirus). He has brown hair and big brown eyes. He is not able to walk on his own, but he will truly blossom in a loving family, who can provide the therapy and encouragement he needs. We are hoping to learn if he is being treated for the CMV, but he is asymptomatic at this time.
Jared (26)
Jared (26)
BOY, born May 1, 2007
This handsome young man, with dark hair and dark eyes, was born with a rare genetic condition called Stickler Syndrome. His medical records also indicate microcephaly, a common symptom of SS.
Individuals with Stickler syndrome experience a range of signs and symptoms. Some people have no signs and symptoms; others have some or all of the features described below. In addition, each feature of this syndrome may vary from subtle to severe.
A characteristic feature of Stickler syndrome is a somewhat flattened facial appearance. This is caused by underdeveloped bones in the middle of the face, including the cheekbones and the bridge of the nose. A particular group of physical features, called the Pierre Robin sequence, is common in children with Stickler syndrome. Robin sequence includes a U-shaped or sometimes V-shaped cleft palate (an opening in the roof of the mouth) with a tongue that is too large for the space formed by the small lower jaw. Children with a cleft palate are also prone to ear infections and occasionally swallowing difficulties.
Many people with Stickler syndrome are very nearsighted (described as having high myopia) because of the shape of the eye. People with eye involvement are prone to increased pressure within the eye (ocular hypertension) which could lead to glaucoma and tearing or detachment of the light-sensitive retina of the eye (retinal detachment). Cataract may also present as an ocular complication associated with Stickler’s Syndrome. The jelly-like substance within the eye (the vitreous humour) has a distinctive appearance in the types of Stickler syndrome associated with the COL2A1 and COL11A1 genes. As a result regular appointments to a specialist ophthalmologist are advised. The type of Stickler syndrome associated with the COL11A2 gene does not affect the eye.
People with this syndrome have problems that affect things other than the eyes and ears. Arthritis, abnormality to ends of long bones, vertebrae abnormality, curvature of the spine, scoliosis, joint pain, and double jointedness are all problems that can occur in the bones and joints. Physical characteristics of people with Stickler can include flat cheeks, flat nasal bridge, small upper jaw, pronounced upper lip groove, small lower jaw, and palate abnormalities, these tend to lessen with age and normal growth and palate abnormalities can be treated with routine surgery.
Another sign of Stickler syndrome is mild to severe hearing loss that, for some people, may be progressive (see hearing loss with craniofacial syndromes). The joints of affected children and young adults may be very flexible (hypermobile). Arthritis often appears at an early age and worsens as a person gets older. Learning difficulties, not intelligence, can also occur because of hearing and sight impairments if the school is not informed and the student is not assisted within the learning environment.
Stickler syndrome is thought to be associated with an increased incidence of mitral valve prolapse of the heart, although no definitive research supports this.
Vitaly
Boy, Born January 14, 2005
Little Vitaly is so handsome, with his dark hair and eyes! Vitaly was born with CP and is not able to walk at this time. He is moderately cognitively delayed, but will regress every day he is in this place. He is already living in an institution, and he needs to be rescued desperately. Otherwise he will never have a chance to walk, never have the opportunity for surgery or therapy.
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ABC NEWS: Hidden Angels
Diane Sawyer reports on the adoption of Mia Cox:
