Other Special Needs Girls, 0-5

Delyse was raised by her birth parents until she was 20 months old, at which time she was removed with malnutrition. She pulls to a stand, crawls, and can take steps while holding someone’s hand. She is social and interactive with other kids and adults. She plays simple games with caregivers. She mimics motions and actions of other people. She waves hello and good-bye and can say a few simple words. She responds to her name. She plays with toys and can stack blocks.

Vannah moves her upper and lower limbs and independently rolls from back to stomach and stomach to back. When she is placed in a chair, she sits with support. She makes attempts to crawl. She reaches out and holds objects with different shape and size. She has increased muscle tone of the lower limbs. She shows interest in her environment and what is happening around her. She reacts with a smile when caregivers interact with her. She reaches for toys.

Vivian can roll over independently from the back on the stomach and back again, sits unsupported in a high chair and tries to crawl. She can take steps when holding both hands of an adult. She shows interest in her environment. She focuses on toys and plays with them. She can imitate basic tasks with toys when shown by an adult. She reacts with appropriate emotions to her environment and familiar people. She laughs when a staff member plays peek-a-boo with her.

Vivian needs surgery to repair her cleft palate. Doctors will not perform the surgery until she gains weight and can eat with a spoon. She has difficulty with a spoon due to the cleft palate, resulting in her being fed via a NG tube. Doctors assume that Vivian cannot hear due to the absence of ear canals, but her hearing has not been formally tested at this time. She does react to loud noises.

These sisters must be adopted together!

Emma was recently transferred to a group home where she can receive more specialized care to help her continue to develop and receive appropriate medical care. She is receiving monthly blood transfusions at this time for her anemia. She had surgery to correct clubbed feet in 2020. She can sit unassisted, stand next to a stable support, walk around fixed supports and walk while holding the hand of an adult. Videos from May 2021 show Emma playing with an electronic toy. She is pushing the button to get the toy to make a sound. Her fine motor skills are not well-developed at this time, due to her spasticity. Emma responds positively to adults and other children. She smiles and laughs when adults interact with her.

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Abby is a beautiful little girl with big brown eyes. Her gross motor skills are good. She is walking with little assistance. Her non-verbal communication is good. She has a ready smile and will respond to stimuli with her eyes. She is speaking words and attempts to communicate. Doctors have recommended occupational, physical, and speech therapies. Doctors have stated, “Concerning her diagnosis one suggestion is that, the child has epileptic encephalopathy (suspect syndrome Dravet).” (This description was from August 2018)

An update on Abby dated May 7, 2021, states her situation has improved drastically. She has progressed in her motor, cognitive growth and social skills. She readily socializes with her peers and caregivers and follows instructions when given. She has developed a rich vocabulary while still having some difficulty pronouncing some of the words correctly. She imitates different behaviors and LOVES to sing her favorite songs. She is attending an individual program suggested by a therapist.

Abby needs an opportunity for family. Can you imagine what she could do with a family who loves her and supports her in all of these activities? Would you welcome this little girl into your home?

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!

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Meet sweet Allison who is almost 5 years old. The agency has many photos and videos of Allison that can’t be shared publicly. Allison is described as vibrant and friendly. She likes to cuddle with caregivers. She likes to play with any toy given to her, and she is still learning how to properly play with different types of toys.

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.

The boys are both listed as healthy.  All three should be adopted together.

Becky can turn from back to belly and sit up with support. She reaches for toys and tries to play with them. She will hold toys in her hands and knock them together. She reacts very positively to interactions with adults. She gets very happy when spoken to/interacted with and will wave her hands as if to say hello when someone speaks to her. She makes sounds, but is not yet saying words.

Florence is a beautiful, smiley and easy going girl! She thrives with her title of Princess in her foster home.

Florence is nonverbal but uses other ways to communicate. She smiles and arches when she is happy and will cry when she is in pain, hungry or sad. For example, she usually gets sad if others go on a walk and she thinks she’s not going to go. She likes when you give her simple yes/no questions like which outfit she wants to wear for the day. At school, she has been working on different ways to communicate like using an eye gaze program to speak through a dynavox or trying to use her hand to choose answers.

Florence has a g-tube. In the past, she has eaten meals blended by mouth. Her g-tube was used to give her medicine and water. However, currently she is being fed all food and water via her g-tube as her caregivers are assessing what is safe for her. There are not swallow studies available in her home country so it is a little bit challenging to figure out what is best for her. Her diet is being supplemented with a mix of complan, a powdered-milk nutritional supplement, and real food blends. She is doing well. Also, she does take muscle relaxing medication to help with her spasticity.

Her personality has started to shine through even more so. She likes to laugh. She thinks her friends that do silly things are really funny and often they make her snort when laughing a lot.

She attends therapy four times a week currently for stander time, stretching and exercises. The therapists always say she doesn’t complain unless it is a day where she is clearly uncomfortable before she comes.

Florence enjoys being held by her people and especially when they sing to her or dance with her. Even though she cannot talk, she interacts well with her friends in her foster home! Such a joyful, sweet girl she is.

These two are in the same orphanage now, but they have 3 older siblings in a different orphanage. One of the older children was born in 2012; we don’t have the info on the other two children’s age. It’s likely the governmental authorities will want all 5 children to be adopted together in the same family, because they have no severe special needs.

More likely the governmental authorities will want all 5 children to be adopted together in the same family, because they have no severe special needs.

Isla has been registered for domestic adoption for over a year and because of her age, she is internationally adoptable only under the condition of adoption of the older sibling(s).

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

Alyssa was a sleepy girl at the beginning of our Zoom call but as her caregivers slowly nudged and called her name, she began to wake up. Two and a half-year-old Alyssa is not speaking, but we learned from her caregivers that she is a cuddly child who loves being held. She will also smile when she hears her name called. Alyssa likes listening to music as it helps to calm her, along with additional cuddles when she is upset. Alyssa seems curious in new environments. She doesn’t interact much with other children due to her mobility. Instead of playing with toys, she would rather be rocked and listen to music.  Alyssa’s diet consists of her formula which she consumes through a nasal feeding tube.

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?

Adeline is a sweet little girl who was very sick when she arrived into the care of her orphanage, but has begun thriving. She babbles, but does not yet speak. Her BERA hearing test in June 2020 showed moderate bilateral hearing loss and follow up recommended in 6 months. She is on Thyronorm medication for hypothyroidism. She has mild valvular pulmonary stenosis. No symptoms at present, so no treatment required, just routine cardio check ups. Adeline is sweet and joyful. She has appropriate attachments with adults she loves and is cautious around strangers. She is developmentally delayed, but making great progress. She has an adorable laugh! Adeline crawls and walks with a push toy or with an adult’s hands. She loves sensory play. A favorite is playing in shaving cream, and when an adult claps to make the shaving cream fly everywhere she bursts out into excited laughter! Adeline is a darling little girl, who quickly captures the hearts of all who enter her home. She would make an amazing addition to any home!

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!

These sisters must be adopted together! There are 4 other siblings in a separate orphanage.

Mila turns her head towards sound and looks at people and objects of interest. She recognizes the faces of the staff. She can roll over, but still has difficulty with head control. She enjoys musical toys that spin and will focus on those for short periods of time.

Sally had one seizure at age one. She’s been on seizure medication since that time and has not had any additional seizures. She touches and grabs with her right hand and moves her right foot. The left hand is almost clenched in a fist. Her muscles are very tight, but she can sit up when placed in that position. She will reach and grab toys with her right hand. She tracks objects that are moving in front of her face. She laughs when adults interact with her. She makes sounds and produces syllabes when imitating someone. She enjoys musical toys and will scoot to get to a toy that is near her when on the floor. She is fed by an adult and can eat from a spoon.

When Minerva came she looked petite and weak, and was hospitalized for care and surgery. She has delayed physical development compared with children of her age, but after the operation her physical health is fairly stable and her motor ability improves day by day. She is able to raise her head when lying on stomach, and turn over continuously. She likes to roll over to and fro on the mat best. She is able to sit alone for a moment with both hands against the floor, even occasionally stand for a few seconds with both hands grasping the rail. Her muscular tension is higher, she can not coordinate and control her body well. If her name is called or someone talks beside her ear she is able to turn around her head to locate the source following the sound direction. The muscular tension of her neck has decreased obviously, therefore its turning range is much larger.

If you move a toy with bright colors slowly in front of her eyes she will follow the toy visually. She is able to grasp a toy and shake it to and fro with her hands. She is an introverted and quiet baby, is able to lie alone for some time without noisy crying, but if she is made to practice sitting with her hands against the floor she will be very reluctant and cry aloud. Her crying is very loud and we can hear it from far away. She also likes to be cuddled by someone and her facial expressions and actions will be much richer while she is cuddled. Her speech development is delayed. She is a light sleeper.

Hailey is a smiley, sociable, and cuddly little girl. She can hold small toys and always smiles when someone plays with her. That smile will melt your heart. She is happiest when she is outdoors and loves being in the center of activities. She is very close with her caregivers. She cannot walk or talk yet, but she makes plenty of sounds. She is working hard at physical therapy and is striving towards learning to crawl. Lately Hailey has been taking more initiative to explore her surroundings independently. Hailey recently had a medical check up, including a cardiac ultrasound which showed no abnormalities.

Two year old Wendy is close with her caretakers and likes being held by them. Her file states that she has sharp reaction to outside stimulation such as sound source and visually following objects. She likes being teased, giggling, and can turn over onto her stomach. Her file indicates that she communicates her emotions by facial expression and reacts to being called.

We don’t know a lot about sweet Nelly yet, but the agency does have videos of her they can share with inquiring families. Nelly can crawl and can do so well. She loves scooting her way to toys she finds interesting. Nelly can sit up on her own. She enjoys attention and will sometimes interact with other children.