Aging Out Children

January 2022 Update: Tatum is an incredibly bright, resourceful, and happy teenage girl!

Tatum has no active use of her arms or hands (they are flaccid). No official diagnosis has been given. Tatum is very skilled with using her feet for fine motor tasks and uses them to eat with a spoon and to write. She has beautiful penmanship! She can criss-cross her legs and sit comfortably on the floor. She is not an independent walker and has weak core muscles. She gets around the home by scooting on her bottom and she can also scoot down stairs. Tatum feeds herself, holding the spoon with her toes. She is independent in her toileting and helps with tasks in the home like folding clothes.

Tatum has a sweet and kind personality. She likes to play with and watch over the younger kids in the home. She is interested in painting and singing and she saves all her paintings. She received a Barbie for Christmas and really enjoys playing with it. Tatum has good language and communication skills and expresses her needs and feelings to her caregivers. Her caregivers report that she is a happy and content child with appropriate emotional behavior.

Tatum used to go to a local school but is learning at home now due to covid restrictions. Due to a late start in formal education, she is behind where she should be but appears to have no intellectual delay. She loves school and typically receives A and A+ grades. Tatum is very bright and is eager to learn, and very diligent in completing her work. She is fluent in her local language, progressing in English, and now learning a 3rd language.She says she likes math the best.

Tatum has a charming, endearing personality and is well liked by her teachers, her caregivers, and the other kids in the home. She is an absolute joy and would thrive with more resources and with the love and stability of a family.

Jasmine is a wonderful teenager who is blind and on the autism spectrum.

Jasmine is known for her big, tight squeezey hugs! She is also known for her strength. Jasmine loves water play more than anything else. She dunks her whole head in the water and comes up for a breath with a loud laugh. As soon as she hears water, she beelines for it and tries to dive into it, even if it’s a caregiver filling up a bucket to wash her clothes or another child’s bathtime! She also really likes the sit and spin and the trampoline. She jumps very high!

Jasmine has some commands in both English and her native language that she can follow. She vocalizes but is non-verbal. Jasmine needs support for her acts of daily living but feeds herself. She loves food from her culture and rarely tries even a bite of western food! Jasmine is a happy and loveable girl who brings a lot of laughter wherever she goes.

Wynonna has suffered from mental health issues associated with the grief and loss around the death of her mother. She has made improvements in the orphanage and needs a family who can support her through the process of grief. She lives in the institution since 2021. She is an average student.  She is a medically healthy and active young girl waiting for the loving family she deserves.

In April of 2021, Hedda will age out and become ineligible to be adopted by an international family. Let’s make this the last year she lives in an orphanage. Could your family be hers?

Hedda is currently enrolled in elementary school. Hedda is described as outgoing. She loves playing with other children, enjoys all foods, and is a good singer and dancer. She performs at an annual show within the orphanage. She is attached to a caregiver, but also looking forward to being adopted. She has great self-care skills, tidy with with her belongings and able to pull her hair into a ponytail. Hedda has a (GSD) and there are no developmental concerns with her.

Eligible families may qualify for a grant through a specific adoption agency and Brittany’s Hope Foundation, in addition to a $12,500 Child Specific Grant (exp 6/1/2020). These grants are not offered by or ensured by Reece’s Rainbow.

Joshua is such a handsome fellow with a bright smile. Those close to him say he is a lovely boy, very polite and keen to learn and be more independent. Joshua has seen several of his friends adopted, and has asked repeatedly of staff when he will have a forever family. He understands what adoption means and longs for a family of his own.

In ICC’s care, Joshua has grown in confidence and ability. He is member of the Conductive Education group where he receives education and therapy to help him develop his abilities. Joshua has good communication skills, and expresses his opinions and wishes with his teachers, carers, therapists and friends. He enjoys learning, and is an active member of his education and therapy classes. He would benefit from speech and language therapy to help understand the cause of his “hoarse” voice.

Joshua has lots of learning potential, and really enjoys going to daily classes. He is able to concentrate during class, ask questions and respond appropriately. His education is behind due to his delayed opportunity to receive education. Joshua recognizes colors, animals and 40 characters. He can count and recognize numbers, and do simple math.

Joshua uses a wheelchair, and can move himself independently from chair to bed or bathroom without help. He manages to get himself around in the wheelchair including a daily 30 minute trip to school! He is able to pull himself up to stand at a table, and can sit unsupported on a stool. He does have some high muscle tone which affects his legs and arms. His hands are affected by the CP, but he is able to feed himself, brush his own teeth and do puzzles. He can also dress himself independently.

Initially was diagnosed with moderate mental delays and an inferior IQ, diagnostic was modified for mild mental delays and finally after psychological reevaluation her IQ is determined to be normal. Mental examination shows a calm and inexpressive child, staring off into space that shows indifference and only speaks when I ask her something, assures to be euthymic even though her appearance seems to be of sadness. Some level of cognition deficit, I have to repeat questions, she writes her name but unable to make her to read some words, can’t add 2+2, low tone of voice, monotone, without any inflection, her thought seems coherent, concrete, limited to isolated words and short phrases, good sleep habits, poor appetite, thin physical constitution, remembers “papa me pegaba” (my father used to hit me), there is no suicidal ideas but “ cansada de la vida” (tired of life), she isolates herself “solo tengo una amiguita” (I only have one little friend), no anxiety data. When child arrived to institution her caretaker described her as aggressive, hyperactive and complaints about misbehaving at school. Currently auto-sufficient to get dress, hygiene needs, eating moving from one place to another. The report card shows that she is inhibited, affectionate, fast learner, likes to participate in activities. Psychology report from 2013 reports no behavioral problems, calm, received therapy and attends to elementary school.

This handsome 14 years old boy is a practitioner of the Christian religion, he likes sports activities such as soccer and cooperative games, he is characterized by being responsible in the preparation of school tasks and he likes research. His favorite food is ceviche, fries and chicken, his favorite color is green, his favorite toy is drones, his favorite character is Cristiano Ronaldo. He wants to be adopted and have a loving and caring family.

Elizabeth is very smart and has normal intelligence. If she was given a chance to go to school, she would have no problem learning. Her cognitive ability is good enough to learn a lot and to take good care of herself in daily life. She can put on and take off her clothing, go to the bathroom independently, climb stairs, play with toys, ride toy cars, etc. Elizabeth can walk when leaning on the wall or holding the rails. If there is nothing to lean on, she walks on her knees. She knows when to go to toilet in the day time and night time. She is attached to her caretakers. When she is unhappy, praise her or give her some snacks. Elizabeth has a very good appetite and likes to have snacks. She sleeps through the night and takes a nap in the day time.She has many good friends and gets along well with others. Elizabeth is quite extroverted and often says hello to others. She is a good girl with a loving heart. She likes smiling, playing, and focuses on being concerned for others. She also loves to show her best in front of those she is familiar with. Elizabeth is waiting for her family. Are you the one she is waiting for?

When they were listed in 2015, Audrey was 8 years old and Anna was 10 years old. They are sisters who express a lot of love and care for one another. They wish to be adopted together, and hope to find a forever family.

April seems to be so joyful. She has ready smile and laughs easily and when she laughs you can see her dimples. She attends primary school and is on the same level as her peers. For more information on the sweet girl please inquire, for agency contact information.

Melany is physically healthy with mild intellectual delays. She is in 7^th grade and has worked with a resource teacher online during the 2020-2021 school year. She is described as shy and introverted, though she communicates freely with familiar people. She enjoys talking about topics that interest her and is very friendly. She has friends at school and at the children’s center where she lives. She states that her dreams are to have a family, finish school and become a teacher. When asked what adoption means, she said, “to have a family, to live forever with these people who take care of you and not to be left alone anymore”.

Jilly and Justine are beautiful sisters! ** Photos are available for serious inquiries, from the agency **

Jilly was born in July of 2007 with Down syndrome. She has been receiving occupational therapy and attends special education classes. Jilly is a cheerful and active child. She can complete activities when motivated and can focus when playing and singing. Jilly can fold her clothes and organize them in her cabinet. She can also make her bed and do other simple household chores, such as cleaning her room and stacking chairs. Jilly can perform basic self-care activities, such as combing her hair, washing her hands, and brushing her teeth. She can toilet independently. Jilly loves to hug her caregivers and other children!

Justine was born in 2008. A psychological assessment in 2014 noted her to have a learning disability. She underwent another psychological assessment in 2015 and the results stated that her intellectual capacity is above average. Justine was enrolled in a regular school and was noted by her teacher to have good leadership skills. In 2017, Justine was recommended by her neuro-developmental pediatrician to attend special education classes, where she will be given individualized learning instructions tailored to fit her needs. In 2018, Justine attended mainstream school and completed 2nd Grade. Justine enjoys singing and dancing. She can easily make friends, but easily gets upset when she is teased or when her toys and other personal belongings are taken away from her. Justine is attentive and loves to talk and take part in conversation. She enjoys outdoor play. Jilly and Justine are aware that they are sisters and would love to be adopted together. Justine’s concept of adoption is having a new family that will take care of her and her sister, Jilly! We know there is a wonderful family out there for Jilly and Justine!

There is a $3,000 agency grant for Jilly and Justine’s adoption with the agency. Jilly and Justine need a family with an approved home study to be able to hold their file or move forward with adopting them.

Damian is able to speak and understand everything but prefers using mimics and gestures to communicate.

He prefers sporting and free activities. He orientates well and quickly when solving puzzles. He likes riding a bicycle, playing with pins and mini-soccer.

Damian participates in playing activities, both individual and group, but often does not follow the rules. Damian is able to make his bed when he gets up. He can fold his clothes and tidy his wardrobe. He needs to be reminded about maintaining his personal hygiene and shows no interest in acquiring skills for cleaning and maintaining his personal space, cleaning utensils and other daily activities.

Damian eats well and sleeps calmly. His attitude towards possible adoption is positive.

Seth and Victor are brothers currently residing together in a foster home. Seth has a moderate mental and physical delay but is otherwise clinically healthy. Victor has hypothyroidism but is otherwise healthy and not delayed.

Tomas is in urgent need of a family!

He has heart disease and recently needed a pacemaker installed. He can stand a little with a walker but cannot walk. He can sit up on his own. He can only babble and cannot talk. He does smile a little bit at his caregivers. I don’t believe he is able to feed himself. He needs 100% help with all his activities. Tomas would thrive in a family setting, with access to all the medical care and therapies he really needs!

Jan 2022 Update: Daylan continues to take this world by storm with his dedication in all he does, from learning new ways to communicate his needs and wants, to eating, everything is done with all his ability. He recently requested a mohawk and was SO excited the day he got his haircut. Every morning he uses sign language to tell his caregivers he wants to put gel in his hair, then shows off his new hairdo to everyone in the home. We love the joy and fun he brings each and every day to our home!

Daylan has found a love of audiobooks recently, especially ones that are full of mystery or scary stories! He is eager and determined to learn. He loves working on basic spelling and math and is so proud of himself when he learns something new! He is non-verbal but really enjoys using a combination of assistive technology, PECS and sign language to help him share his many thoughts. He also uses vocalizations, facial expressions and pointing to make his thoughts loud and clear. His dystonia has decreased over the years and he uses a back brace.

Daylan ages out of adoption in January 2023. He truly has so much potential to thrive in a family!

February 2020 Update: Daylan participates in daily educational and motor skill classes with the use of his wheelchair and a lap-tray. Daylan is eager and determined to learn! He loves working on basic spelling and math, and is so proud of himself when he learns something new! He is currently using a combination of assistive technology and PECS to help him with his non-verbal communication. Even without these, Daylan is still loud and clear in his communication using vocalizations, facial expressions and pointing to make his needs and feelings known. He loves to use switch-adapted toys and toys with large buttons that he is able to use independently. Unfortunately, Daylan’s dystonia has become more severe as he has grown over the past year. His ability to roll and scoot around the floor has decreased significantly, but he is still able to sit comfortably in his wheelchair with the support of a back brace. Daylan is incredibly joyful, sweet, goofy, sassy, and spunky. One of Daylan’s current favorite games is to lay next to one of the other boys in his home and attempt to stick his finger into their noses and ears! This always brings lots of laughter from everyone around him! Daylan truly has so much potential to thrive in a family! Video available.

Dinah is giggly, likes to snuggle, sweet, content. Will play with toys, seek out preferred toys, and seek out preferred children to play beside. She has been working on using a simple voice-output communication system to greet the other children and choose between two toy options. She is social and gets very excited when surrounded by lots of people. She likes to do what the other children are doing. She can follow simple commands in English and can identify body parts by touching them when asked. She shows ability to build strong attachments and follows her preferred caregiver and opens her arms for a hug. She loves to dance and immediately stands up and starts dancing when music comes on.

Aug 2020 Update: Most weekdays, after breakfast, Dinah spends time working on self-care skills.. She also has class where she works on a variety of skills, especially her gross motor and O&M skills. Dinah radiates joy and excitement when she dances!

January 2022 Update: Tricia is a sweet teenager with seizure disorder and intellectual delay. Tricia loves jewellery and likes having her picture taken! She loves music, dancing, painting and jumping on the trampoline. She likes picking out her prettiest outfits. Tricia has a little speaker that she carries around the house, dancing to all the songs that it plays. We call her the Dancing Queen!

She is progressing with learning her alphabet and numbers in class. She can speak in short sentences in her native language and she uses some words in English. She needs support with her acts of daily living. Her speech is somewhat slurred and she struggles with attending to tasks and conversations. Since Tricia has trouble with concentration, she has dance and song breaks often while in class. She is very motivated by adult attention and is learning boundaries with adults she doesn’t know very well. She desperately asks for a family.

August 2020 Update: Nolan is looking older and older every day. There is a new nurse in the home who is a male and Nolan is really enjoying having a male to spend time with, as most of the staff are female. Having a big brother figure to look up to has been so special to him! He is a great big brother himself, and really enjoys bringing toys to the younger kids and trying to help with them. In class Nolan is playing lots of new games that involve following patterns, reading, and categorizing items!

Because of his oral motor challenges, he cannot speak and is on medication to control drooling. No seizures. He does classes every day at home with his tutor. He is very social and loves to be around other children. He is bright and learns a lot, when he applies himself. He knows the full English alphabet in ASL and knows many words. He communicates mostly in single words in ASL, as well as simple sentences like I want… He is potty trained day and night. He craves 1 on 1 attention and cries when the younger children get adopted and he has to say goodbye. He likes to be silly and play jokes. He likes to be a helper and enjoys doing chores. He is sensitive and his feelings are easily hurt. He can get frustrated by lack of ability to communicate and be understood. He would thrive in an environment where sign language is understood.

Molly can sit independently for short periods of time. She has a feeding tube to supplement her nutrition and help her gain weight, but she continues to eat her meals by mouth. She likes self feeding with hand over hand support. She is potty-trained using a Rifton chair. She tries very hard to communicate using limited sign and speech. She has an eye gaze-controlled computer which allows her to communicate with others. Molly is laid back and content. She loves to be included and likes being silly and goofy. She is very intelligent but has a difficult time showing what she knows given her communication limitations. Knows her English alphabet and can read simple words. Can spell her name. Enjoys playing games (she is competitive) and listening to stories (she can recap the plots of simple stories by selecting images that correspond with the plot). Likes to color. Enjoys being social and playing with other kids, especially make believe (baby dolls are her favorite).

Jan 2019 Update: In March 2018, due to increasing hip pain and subluxation of her hip joints, Molly underwent a major double hip surgery: femoral derotation and osteotomy to correct the alignment of her hips and femurs. She was in a spica cast (immobilizing her hips and knees) for over a month. She then spent much of the year re-gaining the strength and movement that she had lost while immobilized. She is a fighter and persevered through significant discomfort over the past year. She maintained her joyful, sweet spirit throughout! Molly celebrated her 12th birthday in December. She was very excited to receive a new traditional dress for the occasion and to get henna designs drawn on her arms. She loves getting fancy and looked so gorgeous! Molly was also very enthusiastic about her cake as she loves all sweets. Over the past year, Molly developed a new interest in make-up and will request to wear it by reaching up and rubbing her hand on her lips and cheeks. She also was introduced to the movie “Frozen” and it has become a favorite. She will “sing” (vocalize) along to favorite songs such as “Let it Go”. Molly may not stand out as one of the youngest or one of the sickest, but she is so worthy of a family. She would be a beautiful addition to a family and a beloved daughter, sister, and cousin.

July 2020 Update: Molly has had a great summer! She is enjoying her classes where she is working on following patterns, reading, categorizing items, and using alternative communication and sign language to engage in pretend play. Molly’s teenage sass is undeniable! She is very insistent when she wants to watch a new movie or when she wants her make-up done. She also gets so excited whenever a new dress is brought to her home and she is persistent to have her photo taken and shown to everyone! She loves being with the little kids of the home, especially helping an adult to push them in the swing or dancing with them sitting in her lap on her wheelchair.

Nana needs a family to commit prior to her birthday in January 2023.

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.

More photos available, please inquire.

Valery needs a family prior to turning 16 in JUNE 2022.

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”?

A WONDERFUL very kind, careful, attentive, loving, thoughtful, super-friendly, helpful girl with a very good potential for education. She NEEDS a family and more than ready for it!

In fact, it seems like she has NO severe mental delay, just educational delay and perhaps mild mental delay. She walks normally as a usual child.

Update Dec 2021, from someone who met both Hazel & Ivory:  They are really tiny young ladies, so sweet and giggly. They stopped by the orphanage director’s office to say hello.  Hazel is practically without special needs, and she is inseparable from Ivory.   Since Ivory is blind, Hazel watches out for her little “sister”.   So sweet.

Her biggest problem she cannot see good and that is why she is significantly delayed.  By some reason she cannot have her glasses on when she needs them permanently. Instead she gets them only for classes.

 

Update Dec 2021, from someone who met both Hazel & Ivory:  They are really tiny young ladies, so sweet and giggly. They stopped by the orphanage director’s office to say hello.  Hazel is practically without special needs, and she is inseparable from Ivory.   Since Ivory is blind, Hazel watches out for her little “sister”.   So sweet.

Sweet Adalia is 12 years old, and weighs 44 pounds. Agency staff met her in 2011, and still … she waits. She is in desperate need of a family. She must be adopted by her 16th birthday, or she will be un-adoptable! These photos are from March 2019.

Adalia is able to crawl and can stand with support. Her caregivers say that she refuses solid food, so she only eats food that is very watered down. Her favorite toy is a rocking horse. There is a video of her crawling over and climbing up to rock for a while. The nannies note that she does not interact with those around her and does not follow directions. Adalia receives some simple therapy in the orphanage and the teachers there work with her as well.

What Adalia needs most is to receive the one-on-one attention that a family could provide and the unconditional love of her very own mom and dad.

She has a $3,000 grant with her current agency.

Gabi has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. She loves attending the pre-school at the orphanage, but she has struggled with learning basic concepts such as numbers, letters, etc. However, with more one-on-one instruction, it is believed that she can and will learn. Gabi is well-liked by the other children at the orphanage. She is also a favorite of visitors who come to visit. Gabi can sometimes come across too strongly in her attempts to get attention, but she truly is a delightful little girl!

Watch his VIDEO from when he was younger.

Carson is eligible for a $15,000 Older Child Grant! &

Carson has a $20,000 grant for his adoption!

This 20K grant is available for his adoption once the family traveled to his country and accepted his referral.

For more information, email childinquiry@reecesrainbow.org

From a family who met him in June 2014: This calm little guy came up to me with pleading eyes for attention and is just so polite. God has heard his prayers, and now he is listed for adoption! He is not overbearing or competitive at all. Rather, he is observant and inquisitive. He is about the size of a six year-old and just so gentle. I would take him home in a heartbeat if he was available before. He takes turns riding the red wagon around the orphanage grounds as the bigger boys pull him, and he gestures politely for fresh fruit when he sees it is available. He is kind to other children. He says a few words in his native language, and listened carefully when I was giving descriptions of my family photos. I have confidence that he would do wonderfully in any kind of family, and it is obvious– he can surely reciprocate love! He enjoyed throwing balls, going on walks, playing see-saw, and listening to English descriptions. Whoever adopts this little love will be so blessed to call him a beloved son.

Regina’s Apert’s syndrome does not prevent this curly-haired little girl from playing, learning, and living an active life! Regina is an intelligent and imaginative child who enjoys dolls, swings, slides – and watermelon! Could she be your daughter?

Regina needs corrective surgery for her hands, feet, and face, to help her be all she can be. A loving family would give Regina a future outside of a bleak institution.

Many additional pictures and videos of Regina are available upon inquiry.

Gabrielle really needs a family of her own! She will remain bedridden for the rest of her short life if she is not adopted.

From a missionary who knows him: I loved this boy. He really enjoyed attention and affection. He just giggled and giggled. He liked getting high fives and having his belly and head rubbed. Even when I walked to the other side of the room he was still giggling and waving. He has so much joy for someone stuck in a crib all day. He needs a family to reach his potential!

From someone who met Brody in 2011 and Auggie in 2012:  Brody and Auggie are sweet little boys who appear to have some sort of genetic disorder that causes developmental delays and self-harming behaviors. They are not aggressive towards others, only towards themselves, and these behaviors can be halted temporarily by picking either boy up and spinning him around. Brody is able to walk, and can drink from a cup without help. He is not quite able to feed himself, but is willing to try. Auggie was in a laying room for over a year, but after only 3 months of physical therapy is now sitting independently and working on learning to stand. Both boys have wonderful, heart stealing smiles. Brody appears to be in his own world much of the time, and loves things that crinkle or light up, and things shaped like sticks, as well as hands, gloves, feet and socks. He shows numerous signs of autism, which may or may not be environmental. Auggie loves things that crinkle or light up, slinkies, music, and tv. He is more interactive than Brody, and appears to lift his arms up to indicate he would like to be held. This is the only form of communication I observed from either of the boys. The boys are currently living in separate orphanages. I pray a family will reunite these brothers together in one family, where they can receive all the love and attention they need to meet their full potential!

We hope a family will consider adopting them TOGETHER.

More pictures available.

Sibling set! These 3 MUST be adopted together!

 

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 is facing the institution soon and will remain bedridden for life if she is not adopted.

Casey, the younger girl was born in 2008 and has no SNs, just some kind of development delay. She is smart and active, participate in all orphanage performances. She has now been transferred.

Her older sister, Lynn, was transferred from her orphanage due to her age. She was born in 2006. By orphanage social worker her older sister is VERY smart and beautiful, no SNs, very active in all performances. She has now been transferred again.

Both girls need a family asap!!!  These 2 siblings are to be adopted together for sure.

They also have an older brother born in 2004. He is in the special school orphanage and has severe mental delays.  Elliot will only be adoptable with his sisters.

If a family decides to adopt all 3 children it will be great! If they want only two younger siblings they are to be approved for 3 children and to get referral to meet ALL 3 siblings. Then if they decide not to adopt the oldest one we will do the best to “separate” them. I think it is possible, but we cannot guarantee it for sure.  They have a younger brother as well, and he has already been adopted.

 

Emerson has waited SO long.  Emerson is such a handsome and active boy with an awesome smile! He needs a family! Emerson is growing up so fast! He is so tall now! He is a sweet, blonde haired, blue eyed boy waiting for his forever family. He is quite self sufficient and a happy child.

Info from a family that met him 10/15:  He has a lot of energy, but he listens well to the nannies. They often reminded him to behave in passing – though it was more of a reminder that they were watching than because he was acting up. He interacts well with other children though he did not engage me (adult) very much. He is delayed, but has potential in a family. Super cute. He needs a family, there is so much hope and potential for him that he will not get in an orphanage. He would do well with older children to set an example.

She shows her bad behavior only to people who are rude to her. She is very sensitive to pain. She is very good with young children, she can organize them very well. She takes a medication.

Sweet Chantelle has a list of diagnoses, but her main need is a loving family! A family could help her reach her potential and save her from a life in a crib.

From a family who met her in fall 2013: Chantelle is mostly kept in a laying room although I did seen her out in the main groupa room laying down in a gated play area. I believe she can roll around. I saw her holding things in her hands as well. She has a calm, sweet spirit and I had her smiling in the first minute of seeing her. I touched her precious little face and told her I loved her and she smiled. The other kids seem to love her and they liked going into the laying room to take pictures of her with me. Chantelle so needs a family now! She won’t be kept at the baby house much longer. She is soooo beautiful, the pictures really don’t do her justice.

Chase is a handsome Roma boy with dark hair, olive skin and giant brown eyes. He needs a loving family of his own to bring him out of his shell and to finally feel comfortable and safe.

From his medical records: obvious mental delay, poor understanding, almost does not speak, nervous, not even-tempered.

Gretchen is a sweet little girl with giant blue eyes! She is officially diagnosed with FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome), and was *previously* a carrier of her mother’s Hep C antibodies. She is testing negative now. She does have strabismus as well. She is able to stand on her own, but is not quite walking yet. She is cognitively delayed, but is affectionate.

Gretchen is a beautiful little girl who deserves a family of her own.

NEW PIC JUNE 2016! FAS, cleft hard and soft palate. She has many facial features of fetal alcohol syndrome, please research this condition as a preparation for her needs.

From an adoptive family who visited with her in Jan 2012: We saw Harriet today. She has the thickest, dark curly hair and beautiful eyes! She snuck out of the groupa room to come see us. I got to hold her for just a moment. She’s really tiny.

NEW PHOTO December 2016

What a cutie! And what a world of different a head of hair would make for her, she needs to be in pigtails!

Update March 2014: Very sweet and energetic little girl, eager to play and interact. She definitely has cognitive delays, and does not speak but functions within the preschool type setting classroom of her groupa. She communicates by pointing and making sounds. She appears to have something like hemiplegia CP affecting the right side of her body, causing a bit of a drag in her leg as she walks, and causing her arm to be stiff on that side as well. She’s a happy little girl and very cute.

NEW PHOTO!! Brandi is listed with bilateral hearing loss, but can definitely hear, as she will turn around and look for the person calling her name, and does respond to commands given if she chooses (if she doesn’t, she screams/attempts to run/swats at the caregiver). Cognitively, she is very delayed, more like a toddler, in ability to understand what’s going on around her, and in her responses, and appropriateness. She also has strabismus in both eyes, and has both a heart condition and anemia. She does NOT have CP, nor microcephaly. She does have brain malformations, significant developmental delays, and many stimming behaviors that are typical of lower functioning autism. She is completely nonverbal.

Families interested in Brandi should be aware that she appears to have autism, and that it impacts her significantly. She is a “runner” and will bolt and run unless contained or restrained and potential families need to be aware that this is common in autism, and that they will need to take appropriate measures to keep her safe in a home and family. She has a history of aggression when changes occur, such as a move, or unexpected event, which include biting peers and adults, and she struggled for at least a year after her last orphanage change four years ago, but is doing better now. However, as many with autism thrive on routine and predictability, families need to be aware that she may handle a transition poorly, especially at first. She has excellent mobility, and is very typically sized for a normal 7 year old in weight and height, and when she resists, it is challenging for a grown woman to hold her back. She has been in a school for the deaf, however, she knows no sign language nor does she read lips. She is very much in her own world in many ways. She enjoys music and will sometimes clap, but remains disconnected from the group and does not interact with adults (was not seen with peers).

Brandi attempts to smell/lick everything that is handed to her and when she realizes it isn’t food, she is not typically interested. The nannies report that she has an excellent appetite, and that she enjoys eating. She stims by rocking, throwing herself back and forth, sucking all four fingers on her hand, grunting, and moaning/shrieking. She walks with a lurching gallop. She flaps her hands often. A potential family should be aware that she has no awareness of danger, no fear of strangers and is very much like a very young child emotionally and cognitively, but physically is strong and very mobile. She currently takes psychiatric medications to assist in sleep and behavior.

She is a lovely little girl, with beautiful blond hair and clear complexion. She is in a good orphanage where she is well cared for. Families need to research autism, and be comfortable and familiar with caring safely for a child with the issues mentioned above, in order to provide Brandi with a safe, loving home.