Simon

Simon is a happy little 2 year old boy who loves to be outside. His foster mom says he likes to be with other children and laughs very easily.

Simon has Down syndrome. He isn't quite walking yet, or at least he wasn't walking when we met him in September, but he crawls and sits on his own and pulls to a stand. He says several words and had a wonderful time ripping up paper and flinging it around!

Simon is in foster care and appears to have a close connection with his foster mother. He likes when she hugs him but is more reserved with people he doesn't know.

Little Simon needs a family. Could be your son? Please contact us at superkids@gladney.org for more information.

Sierra

Oh sweet Sierra! She loves being held and responds so sweetly to any kind of affection such as rubbing her arm or rocking her.

Sierra is 3 years old is blind. She walks with assistance and is beginning to say some simple words. She is in foster care and appears to be very close to her foster mother.

Sierra like to sing and dance to music. She can sing Happy Birthday by herself. How sweet is that? She has such a quiet, timid little voice. I would love to hear her singing!

Little Sierra has so much potential to live a full life! She needs a family who can help her do just that!

I love the way her little hands are wrapped around Janell's hand here!

Could she be your daughter? Please contact April Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org for more information.

McKenna {Taiwan}

As the cracks of thunder and flashes of lightening lit up the room, 7 year old McKenna came into view. Her hands over her ears at each crack of thunder. Soon we were deep in conversation about how I too didn’t care for the storm. As time passed the storm was no longer a focus, it was as though it wasn’t even happening. Coloring pages, crayons, colored pencils and stickers out McKenna was busy creating art. Her favorite color is red. And she was very excited to pick the stickers of soccer balls as her foster brothers play soccer.

Soon, McKenna was off to play with all the other kids on the playground equipment. Even in her girly-girl outfit – and she loves to be dress up and be pretty - she did not hold back. Her caregiver was quick to let us know that she actually prefers to play with the boys.

McKenna has some delays and is noted to have a slightly low IQ. She is receiving occupational therapy.

This talkative, creative, and active little girl is in search of her forever family. She is looking for a place to call home. Could this be you? 

For more information on McKenna, please contact Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org.

Dewey Has A Grant!

Read more about Dewey here!

Family Friday!

It is Friday, and we have matches to announce!!

Ladd

Lars

We are so excited for these two little boys and their families!

Please like this post to help congratulate their families!

Mara {Taiwan}

Mara now has a $4,500 grant through Gladney!!

Oh my goodness! Total sweet heart alert! We got to see Mara for the second time when we visited Taiwan in May!

With total politeness she asked for a pack of gummy snacks. A girl that knows what she wants. Soon she was showing off her talent to color! Wow does this girl have skill. Colors all out and organized, color page tilted ever so slightly, and bent into the coloring pose she started her master piece. As we watched she made the most deep-in-thought faces as she decided exactly how she wanted the final

product to be.

Mara is such a gentle soul.  She has an adorable smirk and wise, knowing eyes.  She loves drawing, puzzles and going to school.  And she was very, very pleased with her new haircut-- she "likes it short because it’s easier to fix and much cooler". She is so incredibly persistent, such as hard worker. Her foster mom said "She is always like this.  She comes home from school and does her work, I never have to remind her. She doesn't even stop to eat her snack until she has completed all her work."  What an amazing kid!

Mara has a neurodegenerative disease -- that is an umbrella term for the progress loss of function of her nervous system.  She also has scoliosis. She gets occupational and physical therapy weekly and her foster mom says it has really helped her posture and endurance.  Mara walks, goes up and down stairs and can even jump.  She has weakness in her arms and legs, but she really impressively compensates when doing daily activities. She is independent with dressing, bathing, and eating. 

  

Unfortunately, we don't know specifics about Mara's disease or how fast it will progress. She was seen by a neurologist in 2010, but they were not able to reach an official diagnosis.  They refer to it as "encephelomylopathy" in her official paperwork, which is, again, an umbrella term for any disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.  Sweet Mara is such a joy.  She deserves a family who will be detectives and help determine what is causing her weakness.  She deserves a family that will challenge her with puzzles, math problems and lots of therapy.  She deserves a family that will be there, whether the disease progresses rapidly or very slowly.  She deserves love. She deserves her family. 

Mara is a go getter. She is sweet. She is looking for her forever family. Could that be you? For more information on Mara, please contact Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org.

You can read a previous post about Mara here.

Sonnet

Sonnet, I have to smile when I think of this little one and the sheer joy that infuses her little face when she smiles or laughs.

One time when we were visiting her she showed us over and over how she could go up and down the steps that were in the room. Each time she would stop to smile or throw her head back to laugh when she checked to see if we were still watching.

A game of peek-a-boo was just as popular. We have it in our notes that she likes dancing and music. She is just so joyful!

Sonnet is 3 years old and has Apert Syndrome. She has syndactyly of her hands and feet. She is amazing in her ability to figure out how to do what she wants to do. She walks, runs, and jumps. She stacks blocks and holds a crayon to scribble on paper. She also speaks clearly in short sentences. 

She goes to school at the orphanage. She is in foster care. Her foster mom reports that she gets along well with the other children in the home and is outgoing. When asked what Sonnet doesn't like her foster mom said that she just likes everything!

This sweet little girl needs a family that will adore her for the perfect child that she is as well as help her to reach her full potential. Could she be your daughter? Please contact us at superkids@gladney.org for more information.

And please share Sonnet's post! It makes such a huge difference when we all work together for these children!