Day 29...Meet Tobias!

Meet Tobias!

Tobias is noted to have a ready smile, laugh aloud and is fond of music. But these days, he has less and less to smile about. His need for a family is becoming more apparent as every birthday passes. 

China is well known for its bustling streets and busy market places. It was in one of those busy vegetable markets, knowing he would be spotted quickly, that 6 month-old Tobias was last held by his birth family. Attaching a red paper note to his blanket, they left Tobias and his forever family the gift of knowing his exact date of birth. Upon his finding, he was taken to his orphanage where he still resides. 

Tobias has been in the care of his orphanage for 8 ½ years. At one year old, he could hold up his head while lying on his stomach, could roll from his back to his stomach, would crawl, and sit steadily alone. He could locate the direction of a sound or voice, knew his name when called, and could distinguish between acquaintances and strangers. He would laugh aloud, utter single syllables, and would wave his hands and feet when he got excited! Such a delightful boy! 

Tobias has been diagnosed with retrolental fibroplasias of both eyes. He is blind. He has received no surgeries nor does he take any medications. There are several sites that can be helpful to parents considering the adoption of a child with blindness. One of those is the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology. 

As of this posting, Tobias’s file sits at the VERY bottom of the shared list. This month that means he is #1930. The fact that THAT many children are on a list WAITING is in itself astounding. The fact that he is waiting below every.other.file is heartbreaking. Tobias’s file was prepared for adoption in 2006 when he was less than a year old. At a time when so many were going to China for young baby girls, young boys with special needs were passed over. This is not a sob story. This is reality. 

Until October 2014, his file sat with only one update in 8 years, which is still untranslated. As is very common in orphanage for children with no vision, it is possible that Tobias has not received the necessary stimulation and training that every child needs for proper growth and development. His latest update reported that he is delayed compared to his peers. This is not surprising since he does not attend school. Although small for his age, he is a healthy boy. Small toys that make noise are his favorite. He is not a picky eater, but is not very interested in snacks. Tobias struggles to communicate with those around him, and the orphanage staff says that he displays autistic tendencies. 

Since Tobias’s file is currently on the shared list, any agency with a China program can assist with his adoption. For qualified families choosing to use WACAP as their placing agency, there is a $4000 Promise Child grant to help with the costs of bringing Tobias home.  

If you think that Tobias could be the missing piece to your family, please message me!  You could also contact WACAP directly and reference "Tobias (advocated for by Lori Saylor)."  They will know how to find his file.  If an agency other than WACAP needs his identifying information, please let me know and I will see that they get it.  

Today I am praying that Tobias' family finds him soon!  He has waited WAY too long.  

Day 28...John

Meet John!!

Three year old John, who is walking with guidance, LOVES to play with toys.  He is always exploring his surroundings and whatever happens to be in his hand!  

He will hold his toys up to his left eye and examine it.  Then he likes to wave it back and forth in front of his eye over and over again! 

He gravitates toward the toys that make noise and will discard ones that do not.  Even at only 2 years old, John could recognize familiar caregivers by their voice and by there walk.  

John's diagnosis is congenital cataracts.  It is obvious that he can sense light and see things that are up close.  He can often even grab a snack from his friend with great precision! :-)

Families wanting more information on John can read his full bio at www.redthreadadvocates.wordpress.com.  

If you think that John may be the missing piece to your family, you can message me or contact WACAP directly.  There is a $4000 grant available through WACAP for qualified families.  

Today I am praying for sweet John and his forever family...wherever they are!

Day 27...So Thankful!

Today, I am thankful that several of my advocacy kiddos have been matched with families this year.  

Some are already home, others are almost ready to travel, and still more have very recently been found and it may be several months before their parents will arrive.  

By this time next year though, all of their families will be celebrating Thanksgiving with their new treasured sons and daughters.  

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after the orphans and the widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  

James 1:17

Day 26....Meet Neal!

Meet Neal!

Sweet little Neal, born December 2011, is getting ready to celebrate his third birthday! Wouldn’t it be amazing if it were his last birthday without his forever family? 

Early on a brisk March morning, while on patrol, a member of the police team found a small baby at the gate of a car manufacturing company. That little baby was taken straight to the local hospital while a search for his family was conducted. He was deemed to be in overall good health. After the search was proven to be unsuccessful, baby Neal was then taken to a children’s hospital for more conclusive testing. Once that was completed, Neal was placed in the care of his orphanage. 

Neal still resides at the orphanage and has not yet started school due to his young age. His caregivers are quite fond of this little guy. To quote his official file, he “is a smart and cute boy, we all like him.” At just 20 months, Neal could sit without help, crawl, walk without help, squat to pick up toys from the floor, and use his thumb and index fingers to pick up small objects. He has a good attention span, knows his name when called, follows directions and cooperates when getting dressed. He can babble when playing with toys, and now says simple Chinese words for milk, mom and bye bye with clear pronunciation.

And like all 2 year olds, he sometimes loses his temper, but the nannies say that some biscuits and chocolate quickly calm him down! Neal sleeps well, is not yet potty trained, and loves to play with other children. His favorite activity is exploring outside! And if it is an inside kind of day, a box of blocks is usually his entertainment of choice. Neal has a sensitive special need.

There are medical reports, ultrasound results, discharge summaries, and genetic testing available to view for prospective families.

Neal's file is currently with WACAP and there is a $4000 grant available for qualified families.  If you think that Neal may be the missing piece to your family, please message me or contact WACAP directly.  

Today I am praying for Neal's family to find him soon! 

Day 25...Meet Tyson!

Meet Tyson!

Exuding with confidence, ten year-old Tyson is well spoken and liked by all. Born in May 2004, he is hoping for a family with older siblings who can help teach him English. Loved and cared for by his birth family until he was 4 months old, Tyson was found lovingly wrapped in a blue quilt with an attached note. The note indicated his exact date of birth. What a gift that is for him and for his forever family! Initial exams noted a meningocele along with paralysis of both lower limbs and differently formed feet. Tyson now lives in the orphanage and has adjusted well to group life. 

When Tyson first came into care at his orphanage, he was sent to live with a foster family. He was well cared for by this family for 8 years. Due to his special needs, he is unable to attend the local school, so he attends school in the orphanage. It has been noted that he is a great leader for his peers and a good helper to his teachers. Tyson does well in school and loves to learn! His favorite subject is English. Even though he cannot walk, his self-care abilities are strong. Communication comes easy to him and he is well liked by all!  

Tyson’s official file lists his special needs as postoperative meningocele, deformity of both feet, and paralysis of both lower limbs. Families looking to research spinal meningocele or needing support may find the following links helpful: Spina Bifida Association 
National Institute of Health 
Kids Health 
China Adoption Spina Bifida Yahoo Group 
Shriner’s Hospital  

There are several post-operative reports for Tyson’s family to view as well as blood work and immunization records. 

In October 2014, WACAP staff was able to meet Tyson during a Journey of Hope camp. He confidently rolled into the room in his wheelchair with a big smile on his face! The staff noted that he has a sharp mind and excellent memory! His best friend was recently adopted which made him very sad. Tyson says that reading just “OK,” but he enjoys watching TV…specifically war stories and stories about animals. His nanny said that he is a good leader, but he is also easygoing and lets others lead. He is thoughtful in his conversation and has very clear speech. A typical adolescent, he does NOT like to go to bed early, but enjoys hanging out with friends. As the visit was drawing to a close, Tyson shared, “I want to be adopted and go abroad. I’d like to have a family with a big brother and big sister – I’m not ready to be a big brother yet.” And then, “If I go abroad, will someone teach me English?” When he was told yes, he replied, “Then a family is my only wish.” 

Currently, Tyson's file is with WACAP.  They would LOVE to see this young man's family come forward and they are doing everything they can to help!  WACAP is waiving their Application Fee ($350), their Pre-Approval Deposit ($500) and there is a $4000 grant available to qualified families!  

If you think that Tyson could be the missing piece to your family, please message me or contact WACAP directly.  

Are you the family who will fulfill his wish? 

Day 24...Meet Jenni!

Meet Jenni!

Jenni was one of the first 2 girls I started advocating for.  As I have mentioned before, looking at a list of over 2000 children and choosing which ones you are going to advocate for is a very humbling position.  I mean EVERY ONE of those kiddos needs and deserves a loving family who can care for all of their emotional and physical needs.  But this one time, it was kind of a no-brainer.  You see, Jenni and Louise (from day 8) both have the same special need as our son.  They are both adrenal insufficient.  

At approximately 6 weeks old, wearing a floral cotton sleeper, Jenni was found at the ticket booth of a local train station.  She has been well taken care of at her orphanage, even spending several years with her foster family.  Jenni is now in school and is known to be a hard worker.  New concepts are easily grasped and she is doing well! Drawing is a favorite activity of hers and she is quite good at it.  

For months, all I had of Jenni was what was in her original "official" file.  The orphanage she is at does not give updates to outside agencies, so even though her file was out of date, I could not get any more information.  Several weeks ago, WACAP participated in a Journey of Hope camp and Jenni was THERE!  They were able to meet her and get the updated pictures and even video!  She is no longer buried on the shared list, but her file is now designated to WACAP...which happens to be our adoption agency!  

It was so nice to read a little updated information on her and see some new pics.  Oh, how my heart longs for someone to choose this girl.  Someone who will attend to her sensitive medical needs, mentor her through awkward adolescent years, and show her how beautiful and loved she is in the the eyes of her Creator.  

If you think that Jenni could be the missing piece in your family, please message me.  You could also contact WACAP directly and they would love to share more about her and the process of adoption!  

Tonight...yes this is posting a little late today...tonight I am praying that Jenni's family will find her soon.  She could really use a mama right now.  

Day 23...Meet James!

Meet James! 

Sweet James recently turned 7.  Look at that precious little face! 

Found at approximately 1 year of age, James was taken to his orphanage after his birth parents could not be located.  Although he seemed to be in fair health when he arrived, it was quickly noticed that he lacked muscle strength.  He was unable to hold his head up well and could not sit alone.  Through consistent care and knowledge of the orphanage staff, James showed great improvement over the coming months.  He could soon sit without help and even reach for objects that he desired.  By the time he was 2 1/2, he could stand with support and had good voluntary movement.  In the months that followed, he would learn to walk with support, developed quite a vocabulary, and eventually even walked on his own.  

James gets along well with other children.  He is a curious little guy who recognizes colors, shapes, numbers, plays sports and even understands cause and effect.  He has good thinking ability and memory.  Sometimes his balance is still poor, but it does;t slow him down much.  Now at 7 years old, he likes to play sports and spend time outside.  

Diagnosed early with cerebral palsy, which is sometimes a catch all diagnosis for children with delayed physical development or muscular weakness, James is still quite a trooper!  He is outgoing, polite, helpful and always smiling...quite admirable traits in any child, I must say!  With proper medical care, physical therapy and the love of a family, it seems that sweet James would absolutely thrive! 

Is James the missing piece to your family?  

If you think that he could be, I would love to chat with you!  Feel free to message me (side bar) or you can even contact WACAP directly.

Today I am praying for James' forever family to step forward quickly so that this sweet boy soon becomes a treasured son.  

Day 22...Happy Birthday, Jack!

I have to kind of giggle as I type the title of this post.  For me in conjured up visions of a scraggly bearded old man sipping out of his green tea cup.  If you have never laughed through a Duck Dynasty episode, you clearly do not have similar characters in your own southern family.  :-)

But without further adieu...

Meet Jack! 

Jack had a birthday this week and just turned 12!  I know my 12 year old pre-teen was terribly excited for her birthday this year and her obvious-to-her near adulthood status.  I can imagine that Jack is equally proud of the handsome man he is growing to be as well.  

However, my daughter's biggest concern for the next year and a half is whether or not she will be able to shop on Black Friday and if we will put her back in gymnastics as soon as we make our big move north next month so that she can continue to progress through the levels of the sport.  She is hoping for at least level 7 by the time she turns 14.  

Jack no doubt has bigger concerns than sports and great deals on cool clothing to occupy his mind between now and his 14th birthday.  You see, in just less than 2 years, Jack will lose his chance to have a family of his own.  He will "age out."  

Jack is a helpful young man who follows directions obediently.  He does well in school and has normal development. 

In 2013, Jack had surgery for a sensitive special need dealing with his excretory system.  His self-care skills are good.  He is a very well-kept and brave young man.  Although his smile eluded the camera, he did have a warm smile that he shared with the WACAP staff toward the end of their summer visit.  Jack has the potential to lead a full and rewarding life.  A family of his own could help him realize that potential.  

If you think that Jack could be the missing piece in your family, please message me or contact WACAP directly.  

Today I am praying that Jack's family finds him soon!