Day 15...Brown-Eyed Baby!

Meet Emerson!

Emerson, born in October 2011, recently turned three!  Aren't those the biggest brown eyes you have ever seen?  I think he is absolutely adorable! 

Emerson was taken to a local hospital after officials were not able to locate his birth parents.  He was approximately 8 months old at the time and was treated for liver damage for several weeks.  Eventually it was determined that Emerson has progressive muscular dystrophy.  

At 2 years old, he would crawl anywhere he wanted to go and could walk while holding on to the rail or someone's hand.  He is a little shy around unfamiliar faces, but enjoys being with his caretakers.  Emerson knows the other children in his class by name and can point to them one by one.  Although it appears he has a seafood allergy, he has a healthy appetite and is not a picky eater.  

Emerson is well-liked by his caregivers.  It is evident through his file narration that they care for him very much.  

Currently, Emerson's file is with WACAP, and there is a $4000 Promise Child grant for qualified families.  If you think that Emerson may be the missing piece in your family, please message me (side bar) or contact WACAP directly.

If you would like to know more about muscular dystrophy and how that looks for families in every day life, please let me know.  I would love to connect you with a wonderful lady I met in China who has a lot of experience in this area.  Our sons share their adoption day, and they both have a special place in our hearts! 

Today, I am praying that Emerson's family finds him soon.  

Day 14....Sweet Silas!

Meet Sweet Silas! 

 Silas was born in June 2008 and is 6 years old. He loves to play and enjoys the company of familiar people. 

 Silas came into care at his orphanage when he was approximately 18 months old. It is said the he was of average condition but had a “dull” expression. The orphanage placed him in Infant Parenting Program. After a few months, he was quick to smile and enjoyed playing with others. 

 At 2 years and 3 months old, he would walk with his hands on the wall and giggle when teased. At 2 years and 10 months, he was able to walk alone, liked to be cuddled, and was quite excited to take his favorite toys and food! When he was 3 years old, he was moved to the education area. There he was always ready to defend his toys from the hands of other children, his limb development progressed, and he was able to join in activities with the other children such as playing, lining up, washing his hands, and even helping his teachers! At almost 5 years old, he was described as very extroverted, had good physical development and diet, and did not cry often. 

 Silas’s original file states that he has Down’s syndrome. However, during a recent visit by WACAP, it was observed by the staff and confirmed by his caretakers that this was incorrect. Currently there is no clear diagnosis for this handsome little guy, but his caretakers believe that he may be deaf because he cannot speak. He often makes unintelligible sounds, but no words. They did say that Silas understands their gestures and follows their directions. Silas feeds himself and uses the restroom independently. And he hasn’t met a toy he doesn’t like! ;-) 

 Currently, Silas’s file is listed with WACAP. There is a $4000 Promise Child grant available to families who qualify. If you think that Silas could be the missing piece in your family, please message me or contact WACAP directly.

Today I am praying that sweet Silas's family finds him soon.  

Day 13...Taking Care of Eliza

Meet Eliza!

Eliza, born in July 2006, is noted to have quite a magnetic personality!  She is described as active, bright, and gets along well with everyone.  Even though she is noted for her sense of humor, she still longs for a family...a family with children.

Wrapped lovingly in a light colored blanket, and then carefully again in a red blanket, Eliza was placed near a city entrance for someone to find.  And someone did find the small newborn and searched unsuccessfully for her birth family.  After several days in a local police station, Eliza was finally taken to her orphanage.  Shortly afterward, she was put in the care of her foster family.  

Eliza remained in the care of her foster family for over 4 years.  She learned many things while in their care and then returned to the orphanage to begin attending preschool.    Eventually she would attend the school for the blind.  Eliza is described as very active, unafraid of strangers, musical and playful.  She is well-spoken and takes care of her own personal needs.  As already mentioned, she is liked by everyone! 

Eliza's official diagnosis is micro-cornea of both eyes, cataracts and ophthalmic dysplasia.  You can learn more about children's vision impairments at the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology.  There are also several Facebook and Yahoo groups available for parents of children with vision impairments.  There are no medications nor surgeries listed in her file.  

On a recent visit to China, WACAP staff was able to meet Eliza.  They learned that she is able to distinguish colors.  They also noted that she seemed developmentally young for her age, which can be expected of a limited vision child living in an orphanage.  However, she was not in the room long before her personality started to shine.  She spoke and sang very clearly, and made sure the staff knew that she did not like tomatoes but loved shrimp!  Her nanny acknowledged her special sense of humor, but did add that she could be a little "fussy" sometimes.  Eliza demonstrated her knowledge of the English alphabet and answered several questions from the staff.  When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied, "I want to make things."  And then quickly followed up with, "I want to make a child!" and everyone laughed!  She was also noted to say, "I hope a family will adopt me...a family with children."  As she was leaving the room, she offered one final comment, "I'll take care of them."   

Eliza's file is currently with WACAP.  There is a $4,000 Promise Child grant available for a qualified family.  If you feel that Eliza might be the missing piece to your family, please message me or contact WACAP directly.  

Today, I am praying for Eliza's family to find her soon so that she can be the one taken care of!  

Day 12...Eddie!

Meet Eddie! 

Eddie, born in June 2010, recently turned 4.  Even though he has been described as quiet and shy, he can be quite the charmer! 

In the summer of 2011, just a few feet from the side of the road, someone spotted Eddie all alone.  After a search for his birth family was fruitless, Eddie was taken to the orphanage to be cared for and was placed in the Infant Parenting Program.  Based on his medical exam and development, it was estimated that he was one year old.  

Eddie has remained in the orphanage for the last 3 years.  Although he is not yet school age, his caregivers say that they believe he has normal development.  He enjoys playing with toys and loves picture books.  Even at 2 years old, he could turn one page at a time! 

Eddie's special needs are listed as "deformed feet and esotropic eyes."  He has been fitted with a brace to help him walk.  Although he can walk without the brace, his steps are more sure and confident while wearing it.  There have been no surgeries to address his feet nor his eyes.  His file includes video as well as medical photos that are available for a family considering Eddie.  There is also a mention of cerebral palsy at one place in his file.  

On a recent Journey of Hope trip in July, WACAP staff was able to meet this cute little guy.  Based on the way he walked, it appeared there may be another unidentified issue impacting his ability to walk.  Upon examination, his spine appeared normal.  WACAP staff noted that Eddie is a shy little boy with a soft voice.  His caregivers told them that he likes to play with his friends and appears to have normal vision.  

Eddie's file is currently with WACAP.  There is a $4,000 Promise Child grant available for qualified families to help with his adoption.  If you think that Eddie may be the missing piece in your family, please message me or contact WACAP directly to learn more about this amazing kid!  

Today, I am praying for Eddie's family to find him soon.  

Day 11...Donnie

Meet Donnie!

In August of 2006, a one week old baby was left for medical care at a local hospital.  When he was found, he was jaundiced, premature, and had an umbilical hernia.  After a few weeks in the hospital, Donnie was placed in his orphanage.  

In 2013, when Donnie was almost 7 years old, his adoption file was finally prepared.  Sadly, this is past the time where many adoptive families feel is a "desirable age" for a little boy.  So he continues to wait.  

Donnie's official diagnosis is intelligence delay and concomitant exotropia (divergent strabismus - eyes).  The words "intelligence delay" REALLY scare families away.  And I understand....there are lots of unknowns there.  But aren't there always unknowns?  Even with our bio children, there are no guarantees.  I cannot help but wonder how much potential lies inside this little guy that can be uncovered by the love of a family?  Only a mama and baba willing to take a risk will ever know.  

Donnie's file is currently on the shared list.  This means that any agency with a China program can help with his adoption.  For families choosing to use WACAP, the agency we used to bring home Mycah, there is a $4,000 grant for qualifying families.  

In a recent update from his orphanage, his caregivers describe him as having delayed mental development when compared to his peers.  Overall, he is a healthy boy and has not had any recent illnesses.  He is in first grade in a special education school.  His favorite food is rice, but he is NOT a fan of veggies!  And when it comes to toys, like many little boys, a ball makes him very happy!  He is not great at sharing and gets very upset when another child takes his toy when he is playing with it.  He does not play well with other children and is not particularly close to one person.  

Oh, how that breaks my heart.  <3  

He needs a mama!!  

One who will love him without limits, no matter what his limitations may actually be. 

If you think that Donnie may be the missing piece in your family, please message me.  And please share this post with people you know, as you never know if YOU could be the one to help his family find him.  

I know his family is out there.  They just need a little help in finding their son.  I am praying they find him soon.  

Day 10...Little Dexter!

Meet Dexter!

Little Dexter is only 2 years old!  Isn't he adorable??

Dexter came into care at the orphanage when he was a newborn and has remained in the orphanage the entire 2 1/2 years.  His caregivers are fond of him and describe him as active, happy and playful!  He loves routine and is the happiest when playing with his toys.  Apparently he is getting rather good at building blocks and placing them in cups.

Dexter's file notes that his special needs include dyskinesia of his left arm and leg.  Dyskinesia is defined as a category of movement disorders that are characterized by involuntary muscle movements.  You can read more about dyskinesia movement disorders at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

As of last December, he knew his name when called, responds to his caregivers' facial expressions, could speak basic words, and was crawling all around despite his special need.  

Currently, Dexter's file is with WACAP.  There is a $2,000 grant available for qualified families.  I can only imagine the progress that Dexter has made since last December.  WACAP is great about getting updates for prospective families.  I am sure they would be willing to ask for an update for Dexter!  

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


Today, I am praying that Dexter would find his family.  

Day 9...The Boy in the Red Hat!

Meet Marko! 

Five year old Marko is quite a kid!  Despite his diagnosis of CHD, he is quite active.  He goes up and down stairs unassisted, jumps with both feet, can catch a ball.  Not only are his gross motor skills on target, but his fine motor skills are as well!  He can tie his shoes, copy shapes and lines, and draw people showing at least three parts.  He seems to be a smart little one, too!  Whether it is shapes, colors, numbers or knowing the difference between left and right, Marko has it covered.  He speaks in 5-10 word sentences and does a good job expressing his needs with his words.  Marko loves to talk, play games and smile.  However, he can be a tad bit obstinate and impatient at times.  Sounds like your typical 5 year old boy!

On a recent visit by WACAP, it was noted that he gets tired when he plays hard.  He eats well and is potty trained.  At the time of the visit, he was in foster care and was the only child.  His caretakers said that he is currently in school and felt he has a normal IQ.  

Marko has been diagnosed with TGA, VSD, pulmonary hypertension, and moderate tricuspid regurgitation. Although his lips were pink when WACAP staffers met him, his fingers do show clubbing and cyanosis.  Marko is post-op for the Glenn procedure, but does face future heart surgeries in the years to come.  He is scheduled to have another medical checkup in November at which time the doctors will consider his second surgery.  

There are many resources available for families parenting a child with CHD.  Below are a few sites to visit.  We also have a few CHD mentor parents that would be happy to discuss parenting their sweet children! 

Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital

Little Hearts

Kids with Heart

Congenital Heart Information Network Resources

Yale School of Medicine

China Heart Children Yahoo! group

Marko needs a family to step forward for him soon and give their input on his care.  Although he faces difficult days due to his CHD, the love of a family and great medical care is most important!  

Currently, Marko’s file is with WACAP.  For more information on Marko, please contact the Advocacy Team or WACAP .  You can also read about Marko at Red Thread Advocates.

If you think that Marko might be the missing piece in your family, I would love to chat with you!  Feel free to message me (side bar) or contact WACAP (above).  

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