
Julee

Introducing six-year-old Addy! Addy’s foster family and social workers describe her as a gentle, quiet, and introverted young girl who is kind and affectionate towards familiar people. Addy enjoys working puzzles, making handicrafts such as origami and paper cutting, and skipping rope. We have videos of Addy performing all three tasks above and she really is quite talented! Addy has speech and developmental delays as well as suspected autism, although it is noted in a more recent medical update that she has made noticeable improvements in general knowledge, verbal language comprehension and abstract concepts. She is currently receiving speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy once per week, as well as physical programs to help increase her muscle strength. She can name daily life objects and their uses and respond to questions in complete sentences. Addy has much potential but lacks self-confidence.
Update Sep 2021:
According to her special education counselor, 7-year-old Addy has made remarkable improvements in self-confidence thanks to the support of her teacher and past learning experiences. Most recently, she is learning the concept of money through shopping activities and is training to enhance her muscle coordination and strength through arts and crafts. Addy has an intrinsic motivation to learn and doesn’t let her limitations of near sighted and borderline sensory integration disorder prevent her from trying new things. She is currently enrolled in gymnastics classes and focuses on four major exercises: horizontal bar, trampoline, balance beam, and floor.
Addy has an excellent relationship with her foster mother. She chats with people and laughs at funny things too. She likes to amuse a younger foster child at home and will protect her like a sister as well. Addy has been receiving extra visual training from her teacher at school. Her teacher reports that she is cooperative and will complete tasks that are required of her, even if she doesn’t enjoy them—like writing. She interacts enthusiastically and cheerfully with her classmates and enjoys taking part in activities with adults. When we asked Addy how she would describe herself, she responded beautiful, gentle, and introverted, whereas her classmates would describe her as a kind and generous person, who can be serious in class.
Update 2022:
Natala participated in our February 2022 Virtual Superkids trip. She was 2 1/2 years old during the visit. Natala is a special girl who will require lifelong care by her adoptive parents.
Natala expresses her joy through smiling and laughing. She enjoys toys that make sounds and lights up when playing with dolls. She expresses sadness through crying. Natala has global delays in development and non-verbal. She is most comforted and connected to her foster mother.
Kelsey:
She did well on all of the tasks asked of her. She even did some simple multiplication!
Kelsey told us her favorite color is pink and she loves bread. Her favorite animal is a water buffalo, which she had recently seen at the zoo. She likes playing outside, and when she gets to play frisbee in PE class at school. Kelsey is in the 2nd grade and her foster parents told us she especially excels in Mandarin and math.
Kelsey has been living with her current foster family for about year. Foster mom and dad both came to meet with us – which is rare, we usually just get to meet foster mom. It was clear that Kelsey has a good, trusting relationship with her foster parents – who we learned are both social workers! Kelsey has had a bit of a tough past, but it seemed to us that she is in a wonderful place now. Her foster parents confirmed that they have seen positive changes in Kelsey throughout the last few months.
Update 2022:
Keller is described as a lively, cuddly child. To view his original post, click here. Keller was seen by virtual SuperKids in February 2022 and wow, he has developed into a happy kid, loving to learn new things and share his knowledge! Shy and reserved around the video camera, he was hesitant to sing for us but did hum the tunes of Paw Patrol while playing and interacting. Some of his favorite cartoons are Paw Patrol, Robocar Poli, Masha and the Bear and Shimajiro!
Keller is almost 5 1/2 years old and learning in kindergarten class. He is now able to participate in sports, ride a bike, paint, build towers, and enjoys watching cartoons. He is receiving early intervention services and has an IEP, with goals of maintaining focus while in groups, improving fine motor skills and interpersonal interactions- all goals he is working hard to achieve! He receives weekly speech therapy.
On a recent outing, Keller was able to go to Ocean World to watch the dolphin and sea lion show. He really enjoyed this experience and seems to enjoy learning about animals and nature! How amazing would it be for him to be home next years with his forever family, enjoying theme parks, aquariums, and the zoo?!
Keller is progressing in multiple areas, including language and motor skills – he enjoys singing songs, counting to 30, and working on fine motor skills such as using scissors. Keller has received speech services for since 2019. While he is working on various goals, there have been gains as he is able to shown ability to problem solve, and speaks in more complete sentences! Keller responds to reward and encouragements in his day to day life. He is encouraged by receiving stickers when he learns something new!
Keller has quite the sweet tooth! He likes cakes, cookies and pudding. He shared that they are yummy treats and shares his treats with his caregivers. Keller wants to bake and eat cookies with you!
Kelsey: Kelsey will be nine years old soon and is still waiting for her family. When we met with her, she kept a steady smile on her face and appeared to be in good spirits. She told us that her favorite class in school is P.E. and she finds English class to be the most difficult. It certainly isn’t easy learning a second language, but she put her skills to use saying ‘thank you’ several times during our visit. We learned that Kelsey’s favorite sports are dodgeball and frisbee, and summertime is her favorite time of year. Kelsey showed off her knowledge by correctly answering our multiplication math problems without hesitation. Kelsey’s favorite colors are yellow and blue, and she told us she wants to be a dancing police officer when she grows up! Kelsey is a medically healthy and active young girl waiting for the loving family she deserves. She has been diagnosed with ADHD which is controlled with medication.
Update 2022:
We learned some really neat things about Norna – and this was one of my favorites! “Norna shared that she dressed up as Santa on Christmas to help the school principal pass out candies to students. At that time, many classmates wanted certain colors of candies, and she was displeased because she thought having candies to eat is a very nice thing in itself already. She does *not* like them being picky. Norna also shared that the way she likes to celebrate birthday is to share her cake with everyone. Anyone can join her celebration.”
Over the past few months Norna has been able to visit a theme park, which she enjoyed! Norna enjoys PE class, playing on the computer and Calligraphy. She has natural talent and appreciation for song and poetry!
Update May 2022:
Kellet was seen as a part of virtual SuperKids in February 2022. Kellet recently turned 7! Kellet is in first grade and his favorite subject is Math! He is doing well in school and enjoys his friend group. His social worker shares that she is impressed by his patience and involvement with activities during their time together.
Kellet shows his imagination through art and storytelling as he recently drew a picture for his best friend, who is a mermaid and lives in the sea! Kellet expressed a desire to also be a mermaid, so he can be with her all the time! How sweet is that?! Kellet enjoys imaginary play through dress up with peers and enjoys playing with Legos. Kellet is enthusiastic about life, playing games, and has a high level of attentiveness. He lives in an area where he is able to hike and run in the outdoors- activities that he appears to enjoy!
Kellet has foster siblings. When they are available, Kellet enjoys spending time with them.
Meet Jolie! Jolie enjoys walks with her caregiver. Her favorite part of their walk is when her caregiver speeds up pushing her stroller, and Jolie giggles with joy! Jolie loves being embraced by her caregivers and communicates with them through giggles and cooing.
Jolie has a diagnosis of epilepsy, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, low vision, and overall global delays. Jolie continues to make progress in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, which she attends once a week. Jolie recently accomplished being able to turn her body over from her back to her side!
Jolie needs a loving, patient, and caring family who will be able to provide lifelong care and help her develop to her full potential.
One of Judson’s favorite activities is watching cartoons, especially Pokemon and Masha and the Bear! Judson also enjoy singing along to his favorite nursery rhymes when they are played on tv or sung by his caregivers. Judson LOVES to take a ride on a bus and frequently asks his foster mom to go on rides!
Judson has a close attachment with his foster family, and affectionately refers to his older foster sisters as “aunties”. He’s curious in nature and likes to ask his foster mother questions.
Judson has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, speech and gross motor delays. He is currently receiving regular therapy services. Judson is making great progress using his walker and holding onto the wall to steady himself as he walks! His face lights up with joy as he moves around with his walker and explores new areas around him! Judson can count to 10 and he can recognize colors – with pink being his favorite.
Additional photos and videos available from the agency.
James has a stable mood and strong curiosity. He can also play attentively for more than 30 minutes! We hear that he has a good appetite and is not a picky eater. His favorite food is corn although he also really enjoys pudding! James can fall asleep on his own and sleeps well throughout the night. He primarily crawls around on his belly and forearms to get around. He has attended daycare since September 2020 and receives physical and occupational therapies once a week and speech therapy once every two weeks.
James was born prematurely and has been diagnosed with cognitive and motor delays, as well as cerebral palsy and microcephaly. That being said, James is able to say some words such as ‘okay’ and ‘yes’, can sit up properly in a chair to feed himself, and is able to express ‘bye-bye’ and blow a kiss!
Allison has cerebral palsy and microcephalus. She is delayed developmentally. Allison is able to pull herself to standing (we have video of her doing this!) and can stand alone without support for 10-20 seconds. She can also take a few steps when holding onto something for support. She responds to her name but is not yet saying any words.
Allison’s birth mother made the difficult decision to make an adoption plan for Allison so that she can receive the best care available. Her birth mother visits her at the children’s home on a regular basis. I’m sure it would ease her birth mother’s mind to know that Allison has a loving family who is able to meet her needs and help her thrive.
Update April 2020:Allison enjoys watching cartoons and playing with stimulating toys; especially ones with sound and light! Allison communicates through giggles and physical contact. Allison has global developmental delays and needs a family who can celebrate her and help her reach her full potential.
We last saw Alanna a year earlier in 2018, and she seemed to be much more mobile this year. She was active – bouncing and climbing on soft benches. Alanna has cerebral palsy and is weaker on her left side. Alanna is now eating solid foods – she had been using a feeding tube until January 2019. Her social worker told us she can eat a bowl of food in about 15 minutes now! She attends physical and occupational therapy once a week each. Alanna only says a few words, but her social workers state she understands most of what is said to her and she can follow one step directions. Could Alanna be your daughter?
Myles diet consists of mashed foods, his favorite being fruits. Myles spends most of his time in his bed or in a support chair. Because he is only allotted one therapeutic device per year, he doesn’t currently have a child walker. With more opportunities to put weight on his legs, he may possibly have the potential for assisted walking in the future.
Myles was born prematurely and has been diagnosed with global developmental delays, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, hydrocephalus and hearing impairment. Myles resides in a nursing home and receives 30 minutes of occupational and physical therapy at a local hospital each week. The agency has much more information on Myles! Could your family be the one he needs?
Alyssa is diagnosed with global developmental delays, hydrocephalus and seizure disorder. She resides in a nursing home and receives 30 minutes of occupational and physical therapy each week. The agency has much more information on Alyssa. Could your family be the one she needs?
Talbot was diagnosed at a few months of age as having feeding issues, failure to thrive, left congenital ptosis, laryngomalacia and supraglotoplasty. According to a October 2011 developmental report, he was delayed in cognition, language, & gross and fine motor skills. He attends weekly occupational and language therapy classes, showing improvement in the past few months. He is able to walk on his own and at the time of the assessment, he was working on climbing stairs. His appetite has picked up and he enjoys eating noodles and biscuits among other foods.
Talbot will do well in a family who is patient, has time to work on developmental growth through play and exploration, and able to access early intervention services.
Merlin was born at 35 weeks gestation. After birth, he was diagnosed with ventricular and atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus (large). He received several operations. At the age of 2 years, Merlin received frenulum incision due to his speech development delay. He has since been evaluated for speech, cognitive, and motor development. He began receiving therapy for his delays and was evaluated as having moderate intellectual deficiency. He continues to receive therapy while residing in the orphanage. Physically, Merlin has a wide nasal bridge, eyelids slanting downwards, big thumbs, wide gaps between his fingers, and conditions of short attention, motion disharmony, and blurred pronunciation.
Hailey is described by her caregivers as mild, positive, vivacious and well-behaved. She’s small for her age, wears glasses and has a small vocabulary. She’s easily distracted but has made great improvement in comprehension. Hailey’s a warm-hearted girl who finds pleasure in helping others. She remembers her birth family but is excited to start a new life with an adoptive family—as long as she isn’t separated from her brother.
Hugh is filled with curiosity about the world, often asking “why?” He speaks well and is reported to cooperative and able to follow rules. Like his big sister, he’s easily distracted but he works hard on his schoolwork. He attends primary school and mixes well with the other kids his age. His caregivers describe him as a good boy, energetic and usually happy. He’s been very clear he wants to be adopted with his sister.