Other Special Needs

 

Videos show Bonnie smiling at the camera, responding with smiles when spoken to, grasping a toy when it is handed to her and shaking it, lifting her head and working hard to control it and attempting to engaging with the person videoing her by making sounds and eye contact.

Yager loves the company of the adults. He likes to be engaged in play and laughs when interacted with. He has a special relationship with one of the staff members, who always accompanies him for operations and for check-ups. While lying on his back, he can turn on his abdomen, he pulls himself up with his arms. The muscles above the waist are very well-developed. He will reach for an adult and when you extend your hands, he immediately pulls himself to the sitting position. He eats from a bottle while holding it himself. When he sees toys, he reaches for them and tries to get them. If he gets upset he easily calms down if cudded.

He repeats syllables and pronounces sounds. He holds toys in his hands and knocks them together. He can follow simple directions.

Photos and videos are available through the agency.

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”.

Monika lived with her birth family until the age of 7, when she was placed in foster care. She has academic delays in all subject areas. She is attending school and receiving resource help. Since being placed in foster care, she’s learned many self-help skills and is becoming more independent. She enjoys role playing games, playing on her tablet, listening to music, watching TV and any type of active game or competitive play. She plays well with groups of children. She is described as “cheerful, with a sense of humor”. She’s inquisitive and often asks a lot of questions about subjects that interest her. She has an active imagination and enjoys pretend play where she is the main character in the story. She communicates freely with other people and displays empathy and interest in others.

Isabella is a gorgeous little girl with congenital atresia of external auditory meatus of both ears and leukoma of both ears (translation error that should have said eyes).

Isabella has such a delicate face with the most beautiful lips. She loves to be clean and will cry to remind her caretaker when she goes to the bathroom and needs her diaper changed. After she is changed, she stops crying immediately. Isabella is always moving her eyes; it seems she may have some light perception. She has some hearing loss because of her atresia, but she can hear. By four months of age, Isabella was visually following the light, responding to loud sounds, and babbling. Isabella has rehabilitation training three times a week and is very cooperative. At the time her file was prepared, she was sitting and rolling over independently. She will laugh loudly and happily when called by her caretaker. Isabella loves to be cuddled and teased by her caretakers too. Her favorite toys are dolls. She is said to be a good eater and sleeper as well. Isabella is getting wonderful care while she waits for a family!

Jesse is definitely a smart boy! He is nonverbal, but already recognizes a lot of letters and their sounds. He communicates by moving his hand closer to the letter or option he is choosing. He is working hard on these skills in preschool, which he currently attends two afternoons each week. He also uses his eyes to communicate. Sometimes I will tell him to look at someone to say please, thank you or sorry and he is always quick to comply, unless he is mad, in which case he will either shut or roll his eyes. If given two choices, I’ll ask him to look at one person for the first choice and another person for the second choice. He is quick to answer, especially if it’s something he really wants. For example, I will say look at Irene if you want your milk or look at Judith if you want more food and he will look at Judith to indicate he wants another bowl of food. Jesse knows the name of all his familiar people and will quickly look at them with a smile if I ask where they are.

Jesse loves to laugh and is quite entertained by the antics of his foster brothers and sister. Every night, I take Jesse into his bedroom to sit by his bed and pray together. Our one year old has a habit of following us in to the bedroom and sitting down beside us until another adult comes to get him. Jesse always anticipates this and as soon as I sit down with him, he watches the door and smiles, until the toddler comes in and Jesse wiggles and dances with joy. Sometimes after Jesse is in bed, his buddy will climb in with him and they both laugh at the craziness of bedtime.

Physically, Jesse can balance in a sitting position for several seconds, with his legs crossed and using his arms for support. He doesn’t do it for long at a time before he tumbles over, but he is always very proud of his accomplishments. He doesn’t roll over, but when he is laying on his tummy (his favorite position!), he can lift his head up and look around. Jesse loves to practice his walking, especially if he can “chase” the other kids around. I support him by holding him under his arms and then he lifts his feet and off we go. Jesse wears AFOs to use his stander every day. He really enjoys this time and rarely fusses while he stands. He has a musical light up toy that he likes to use during this time and he is quick to fuss if one of the other kids tries to take it. He also goes to physical therapy four days a week where he works hard on continuing to develop his skills. Jesse still wears a diaper, but he is working on potty training and sits on his modified potty every evening before bath time. He will usually use it and always smiles proudly when we praise him for this. Jesse eats well, with mostly pureed food, although he also likes to eat things like crackers or cookies. He does not self-feed, but if we give him the spoon to hold, he works hard to bring it to his mouth. Jesse drinks from a sippy cup and a water bottle with a straw – he especially loves milk and juice, but nothing too cold!

Jesse enjoys spending time being pushed in a supportive swing and fusses when it is time to get out. He also likes watching movies and going for walks in our stroller. Jesse enjoys story time and holding his baby doll or stuffed lamb. He is an amazing little guy who will definitely be a huge blessing to his family!

Vivian is a gorgeous, joyful girl. Though she had a difficult start in life, she is an absolute fighter and has already come so far! She appears to have had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) at birth which has led to her disability. She also has cerebral palsy that affects all 4 limbs and uses a wheelchair. In her physical therapy she is working to keep her range of motion and improve her head control. Vivian appears to have both hearing and vision loss, although she responds to light and dark, and loves it when you open the curtains and turn on the lights to greet her in the morning. Her right hand was amputated as a baby, but she makes great use of her left hand, and enjoys holding hands/fingers and grabbing her favorite blanket and toys. Vivian is fed by a G-tube, but also enjoys occasional oral feeding for a tasty smoothie (not too cold please!) or a hot chocolate treat. Although she takes daily medicines to manage her epilepsy, Vivian is generally a very stable little girl and her epilepsy is well controlled.

As a result of her vision impairment and TBI, Vivian sleeps more than might be expected for a girl her age. For instance, after enjoying her breakfast Vivian often falls asleep until around lunch time when she wakes up for food and is then ready to enjoy an afternoon of activities (snuggles and playtime!) before falling asleep just after dinner with a bedtime story/cuddle. Once she gets to know her caregivers, Vivian learns the feeling of her favorite people (she identifies them by the feel of their bracelet, hair, or other identifying features) and responds happily when she knows they are with her!

Although Vivian is non-verbal she does express herself by facial expressions and vocalizing in response to what is going on or to get your attention. For instance, she loves being bounced around and will respond with her mouth wide open and a joyful noise. Once you get to know Vivian you will be better at recognizing how she communicates. She might let out a little noise, give you a sassy side eye, or open her mouth wide to let you know exactly how she feels. In the mornings she is normally very excited to see her people, and gives a big smile and an open mouth when you wake her up! Caregivers use objects of reference to let Vivian know what’s going to happen next, but our prayer for Vivian is that she and her caregivers will be able to find a comprehensive communication system that enables her to express her thoughts and opinions with the world.

Vivian has a gentle and lovely personality which you will quickly come to cherish. Some of the things that make her the happiest are picnics outside under the trees, walks, bubble baths, and snuggles on the couch. She is most at peace when she is close to the people she loves. With the right care and support, Vivian is capable of making beautiful progress in life. She is a treasure to have around and would absolutely love to join a forever family!

From a family who knows him: Even though Ravi spends most of his days in the same bed, staring at the same ceiling, he’s fascinated by everything that goes on around him. He loves the rare walks he gets outside in the summertime and being held up in the window to watch snow falling in winter. He obviously recognizes his favorite people and cries when they leave. He cannot sit up on his own, and seems to get tired even when held sitting for long. But he scoots all around in his bed, very actively turning his head to where his feet should be, or the other way around to see and hear everything. He is completely non-verbal. Ravi really needs a family and a chance to get out into the world that fascinates him so much!

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.

Sweetie!!

He has 5 siblings in the family-style children home, they are not adoptable.

Cassandra has two sisters, who have both been adopted.

These two sisters must be adopted together! Both girls are very good and friendly.

He has a brother born in 2012 who was placed in a different orphanage.  A prospective family should be approved for two — they may be required to be adopted together.

He just started talking, and his stature is pretty small.

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 family that met her 4/19:
She is gentle and sweet. She knows how to roll, and she rolled over to a toy phone and was pushing the buttons because she knew it would make noise. She loved when I rocked her and sang to her, and she liked playing with my hair. She has a beautiful smile and is ticklish. She loves snuggles and her eyes looked better, not as crossed as before. She is really smart and with therapies and medical for her eyes she will do amazing, even the doctor there told us that.

From a family who met him Nov 2018: Quincey is one of the most darling, endearing boys we have ever met. He is pure joy and just exudes love and affection. His little giggle is contagious. He begged us to take him home to America- he so desperately wants a family. He loves to show off how he can get into his wheelchair (which he calls his car!) himself and beams with pride. He speaks well, is very bright, and will flourish in a family.

He is so sweet, always look happy and friendly.

He understands everything and talks back; he follows instructions. He is waiting to get his family.

Sweet baby boy!

Shiloh is a precious little girl. Her favorite things are to be both held and cuddled. She enjoys listening and dancing to music while being twirled around the room. Shiloh communicates well with her body language. She has made healthy attachments to her care provider. Shiloh will track her around the room and kick her legs and move her arms around when she wants her attention. Shiloh receives physical therapy 5 days a week and attends an in-home school Monday to Friday. Her classes consist of sensory experiences as well as working on gross and fine motor skills. Shiloh loves sensory play, and one of her favorite things is the sound of crinkling paper.

Shiloh also enjoys water play. With the assistance of her teacher, she splashes water around a sensory bin; using cups, shovels, and other water toys to manipulate and move the water. Her favorite game is when her caregiver counts to three and then leans her backwards. As her caregiver starts to count, a grin will flash in anticipation of being “thrown” backwards. Shiloh is a deep lover of life and friendship and would thrive in a family of her own.

Mikayla has the sweetest smile, laugh, and disposition. She is extremely expressive so it is very easy to gauge what she needs and when she is upset. She likes to be silly. For her own entertainment and the entertainment of others, Mikayla makes silly faces and sounds, gargles her water, and echoes the voices of her friends and caregivers. She is a cuddle bug one minute and a determined explorer the next. She is definitely full of light and love and spirit.

Mikayla has made wonderful, consistent progress since arriving at her current home. She is motivated to communicate and will babble and approximate some words. She is now more willing to engage in sensory experiences and has developed some independent play skills. She has good receptive communication and is spoken to in both English and her native language. She will use various vocalizations and behaviors to express some basic things, like making a kissy noise when she wants a kiss. She is gaining physical strength and can sit independently, move around by rolling, can stand with support and take steps using a mobility device.

These brothers must be adopted together!

They have a younger sibling who is not available.

Updated pic 2019; Wilson has lost the ability to stand and walk.

Wilson is a sweet, happy, playful boy. He is great with little kids and bigger kids. He loves to play legos, color, watch tv, go to the beach and just be with those who care for him. He spent one summer and winter break with a host family, he bonded well with them. He is affectionate and makes good eye contact.

He has a progressive form of Muscular Dystrophy. He can no longer stand, walk or crawl. He can still sit upright by himself. He does require help dressing, bathing and some help with eating. He is toilet trained but needs help to get to the toilet. He longs to belong and be given love and attention. He adapts well to new adventures, people and places. He will be a blessing to any family.

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!

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.

Update May 2016: Jared has been transferred a while ago from his baby orphanage.

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.

She cannot talk yet and in general is pretty “weak”.

Izzy has cerebral palsy. She transferred to her current home in June 2018 and has already made remarkable progress. She is incredibly bright, social, and affectionate. She previously had no exposure to English but now responds to several English commands. She also says several words such as “hi”, “bye”, and “more” and has picked up on several ASL signs which are used in the home. She communicates extremely well with vocalizations and gestures and is perceptive to body language and other social cues in communication. She gets around the house quickly with crawling and scooting. She can pull to stand and remain standing with minimal support. She can walk with hand support or a reverse walker. She can self-feed. She loves playing games such as hot potato, duck duck goose, and catch. She has an infectious laugh and smile and brings a special energy and joy wherever she goes. She often seeks out trusted caregivers and requests hugs and kisses. She will turn her face from side to side to ensure she gets kisses on both cheeks. She would be an incredible gift to any family and has a huge capacity to learn and grow in a family environment.

December 2018 update: Izzy is learning and making progress steadily! She is now potty trained. She is making strength gains, and her ability to use her walker is improving. She is able to go up and down stairs by crawling/scooting. Her receptive language is growing and she now responds to many commands and knows the English words for many household objects. She has learned her body parts and picked up more sign language. She can match colors and do simple puzzles. She knows the names of all the other kids in the house. She is beginning to use a program on her iPad to expand her communication. She enjoys coloring and is beginning to engage in imaginative play with dolls. She loves to dance and has learned the motions to multiple action songs. She anticipates the next activity in her daily routine. Her social nature and love of life continue to be so endearing! Izzy is so bright and would THRIVE in a family! Videos available.

Aug 2020 Update: Izzy has grown so much in her communication skills. In class, Izzy uses alternative communication and sign language to participate in imaginary play with friends. She is great at answering questions about her day or week. She has also developed a lot of confidence to ask for very specific things. Izzy is just always laughing, always dancing, always singing, and always sharing her enthusiasm and love with those around her.

New pictures, April 2017

February 2020 update: Eden’s acrobatic skills have only increased over this past year. She has discovered how to climb out of her bed and into the bed of one of the older girls in her home. This cuddle bug loves any chance to seek out physical touch- whether it is sneaking late night cuddles or laying in the swing in her home with one of her friends. The disc swing in her home remains her favorite place, however she has grown fond of a plastic rocking horse as well.

Eden continues to take daily morning walks with her teacher to continue to practice her cane skills. Eden is now able to climb a flight of stairs while holding onto the railing and receiving promptings from her teacher. Recently, Eden has shown an increase in desire to explore her surroundings. Eden’s teacher has been working with her on spatial recognition and her ability to find new landmarks in her home. Eden is currently working on self-feedings skills. At first she was reluctant to hold her spoon during meal times, but now she is able to hold it with assistance for her entire meal. She is doing incredible! We are optimistic that this is a skill she will master this year! Eden continues to wear her processors daily. Recently Eden has begun attending speech therapy three days a week. She has begun babbling more. We hope that with speech therapy she will be able to begin to associate more meaning with the noises that she hears.

Jan 2019 update: Eden has started moving around the home with purpose more independently. She is now able to climb up 3 flights of stairs while holding onto the rail for support. She is also able to come down the stairs, also holding onto the rail for support. Eden has always been quite the acrobat and has now learned to climb on the sofa in the home and will stand while holding onto the back and jump and giggle. She has also learned to find a low hanging disc swing in the home and climb on it. She loves the swing and will vocalize sweet sounds as she enjoys the motion. Eden continues to work with her guide cane and still needs encouraging and prompting to use the guide cane throughout the day. She takes daily walks down the street with her teacher. She mostly enjoys the walks, unless she is tired, then she cries to be picked up and comforted. Eden continues to wear her processors allowing her to hear and she often responds to the sounds of toys falling on the floor, familiar voices, and music. She does require frequent prompting to complete activities in her classes. Eden also continues to demonstrate some aversions to a lot of textures. This is addressed in the home through a lot of opportunity for sensory play. She enjoys having lotion rubbed on her, sensory brush actives and water play.

Peyton is in the 1st grade and enjoys computers, science and math. She is vocal with her opinion and her frustrations and wants attention from her caregivers. She likes to be different than the other girls in her orphanage and she participates in the orphanage group activities. She likes to save her allowance, loves cats, and enjoys playing ping pong. She is sad when the older girls in the orphanage pick on her. She has been to camp and loved to play in the swimming pool.

Peyton has been in the orphanage her entire life. This unique girl needs a prospective adoptive family with good educational, ESL resources, play therapy and have a good understanding of institutionalization and older child adoption.

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.