Other Special Needs Girls, 10+

Ava is an adorable girl. She has very limited vision, but she doesn’t let that slow her down. Despite her limited vision, Ava is confidently walking. She can see things near, but often does need help with things. She enjoys listening to music. After listening to a song a couple times, she is ready to sing along. Ava needs a loving a supportive family that will help her learn and grow.

Athena is a sweet little girl who has been diagnosed with congenital cleft palate and a slightly dilated ventricular system.

Listed: Feb 22, 2013

Athena is an active child who likes riding on the wood horse in the institute. She likes playing with toys and rattles and her favorite toy is the toy bee. Athena likes communicating and playing with her caregivers. She likes to crawl and receive hugs too.

Update 2015:
Athena is a delicate little one who will be 5 years old in February. She came into care when she was about 5 months old and was found to have a cleft palate (no cleft lip), pneumonia, and lots of insect bites. Athena’s main file is almost 3 years old, although there is a brief update and photos from last September. Athena has some slight dilation of the ventricular system, per her medical. As of 4 months ago, she could crawl, and stand with assistance, but could not stand or walk without help. Her palate has not been repaired, thus her speech is very delayed. Athena is active, and enjoys riding the rocking horse. She has favorite toys, and delights in getting them before the other kids! They do not know the cause of Athena’s motor delays, but we do know she needs a loving family and good medical care. Athena is a very loving little girl, who asks for hugs. Are you her family?

Anney’s file states that she is a cuddly girl who loves being held by her caretakers. Her file says she loves to laugh and clap her hands when happy. Her pictures capture her bright and happy smile that light up a room.

Angela is smart, cute and active, and has dimples when she smiles. She gets along well with other kids, and is willing to share food and toys with other kids, willing to do something within her power. She has good physical quality, seldom gets sick, and she is an obedient and cute girl.

From an adoptive family who met her: she was very sweet. She leaves each day to go to regular school in the city. She just finished 2nd grade. She said her favorite class is music class. She walks with a slight limp but gets around very well. When we were visiting she was helping take care of some of the severe needs kids in her class. She seemed shy but she did talk to our interpreter a fair bit.

Additional photos available.

Anah is a little love bug! She loves being held when she is sad and is easily comforted. Anah loves to eat! She is not picky and will eat any and all foods. She likes to watch TV and listen to music. Anah’s motor development is lacking. She is only able to sit on her bed and she cannot stand. Her language abilities are also rather lacking and she is unable to talk. We hope a family will open their hearts to little Anah!

Alexa is listed as having a history of CHD (less of mitral regurgitation in systole, no others abnormal flow) and CP. Alexa is described as a fairly quiet girl with a sweet disposition. She enjoys listening to music and reading picture books. In the company of strangers Alexa will smile shyly, but when surrounded by those she knows she is said to play with her whole heart! Alexa enjoys outdoor activities and watching cartoons. Alexa’s gait is affected by her CP, but she is able to walk, climb, etc independently. She does need some assistance with eating because she has a hard time controlling her hands. Her language development is normal. She can understand everything, follow directions, and can use her words to communicate with others. She is described as a favorable child.

Quinn was 1 when she came to the institute. In the beginning, she cried often during bed time and at night. In her second month here, she slept well through the night. She could produce basic sounds, and move her head around. Her eyes could follow the movement of toys. At two, she could find the source of a noise and understood when the caretaker called her name. Due to the tension in her limbs, she still could not sit or stand by herself. The caretaker monitors her when she is using a walker. Quinn is shy and quiet.

Jennifer is a sweet girl who loves to dress up; when her foster father brought her to the orphanage she was wearing a jacket with flowers on it, and looked like a little princess! He said she often secretly admires herself in the mirror. She loved posing for the camera and didn’t need any instruction – she knew exactly what to do! Her foster family reports that she can make sounds while lying down, but cannot once she is standing, as if something is blocking her throat. Jennifer has a good appetite and isn’t a picky eater, though she especially likes candy! She is diagnosed with delays in motor skills and language, but her latest developmental information is outdated; as of two years ago she could walk, but not run or jump with both feet. She was only calling out simple words, but had good understanding. She plays well with other children and never fights. She especially enjoys music, and whenever she hears a song she sways to the rhythm.

Gorgeous Isabelle is waiting for her forever family to find her! Isabelle is listed as having esotropia and weak sight of the right eye. Esotropia is a form of strabismus, or “squint,” in which one or both eyes turns inward. Isabelle is also diagnosed as having slow motor reflexes. She had a CT scan done and it came back clean-no abnormal findings. Isabelle’s file is outdated (from Dec 2013).

Isabelle likes to giggle, play games, and imitate what others are doing. She likes watching TV and cries if she is not allowed. She loves her foster mother and those she sees on a regular basis. She is not afraid of strangers. She speaks very little. She says “po-po” (Grandma), “ma-ma” (mother) and “ba-ba” (father). She follows directions very well. If you ask her to point to a certain body part, she will do that. She is very wobbly on her feet and cannot really stand up without a helping hand. She leans on her foster mother a lot, but she was observed to be able to walk flat footed. She is clearly adorable, but may need a family who is open to significant delays and to some unknowns.

Helen was born with encephalocele, which is type of neural tube defect that occurs very early in fetal life where the embryo’s cells that form the skull do not come together to close over the brain. The result is a defect in the bones of the skull, causing brain tissue to protrude from the skull.

Helen loves to make herself laugh. She enjoys spending her time playing, humming, and observing things around her. She is doing well and getting strong. She is able to walk with help and has recently been able to pull herself up. She loves to go outside to the playground and practice her walking. Her smile is so cute and her laugh so hearty.

Helen has had surgery, and additional information is available about her surgeries and hospitalizations. She has vision concerns, and has recently begun speaking a few words.

Emery can move using a walker and can make a few steps with support, too. Specialists are working with her to continue to strengthen her legs and are hopeful that she’ll become more independently mobile. Emery likes listening to music and is able to reproduce some of them. She can say a few words and makes short sentences as well. She receives support and intervention from specialists in the local community. She likes to receive an individual attention. She has emotional bonds with adults. She eats by herself and her sleep is calm.