Adorable Baby Nigel

Little Nigel just turned 2. He is described as active and he likes listening to music and playing with balls and blocks.

Nigel is from an orphanage that has asked us not to share photos publicly, but I can assure he is one handsome little fellow!

He has post-operative CHD (aortopulmonary window), which fortunately was repaired when he was quite young.

He is crawling and walking independently. He imitates words and follows simple directions. He sounds like he is doing really well!

We need a family who is has a log in date or has almost completed their dossier for Nigel. Please contact April Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org for more information!

Cody

We have met Cody many times throughout the last several years. He is curious and smart and really amazing at putting Lego sets together!

Cody is 6 years old. He is a bright, active little boy who is a little shy around strangers. He likes playing with blocks and we certainly saw how good he was at putting Legos together when we met him!

Cody has torticollis which pulls his neck toward his left shoulder and post-operative CHD. He seems to be doing well developmentally and physically.

Cody is such a sweet little boy. His life would certainly be more comfortable with treatment for his neck although the caregivers say he does not complain of pain.

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

Dynamic Dexter! {Taiwan}

Dexter is a very observant, respectful, active and fun boy.  He will be turning 10 years old in February – wouldn’t be an amazing birthday present to tell him he has a forever family?

Dexter is fascinated with electronics and loves to take toys apart to learn how they work and then reassemble them.  He enjoys playing with a smart phone, but is very good about respecting the time limit his foster mother sets for him. He attended a summer hosting program in the US and decided that he would really like to be adopted by a family in the US.

Dexter took an art class earlier this year after his foster mother observed his talent for painting. He really enjoyed the class and was very proud of his work. One of his pieces was even chosen to be in an art exhibit!

Dexter's painting

He also enjoys jogging and playing outside.  Dexter interacts well with other children and developmentally is on target with his peers. Dexter is diagnosed with minor anemia and is a Hepatitis B carrier, however he has regular check-ups and is in good health. He also recently began taking medication for ADD.

To learn more about Dexter and to view his full file, which includes a video and photos, please be in touch with Taiwan Program Caseworker, Mary Chapman, at Mary.Chapman@gladney.org. 

Monday Morning Matches!

What better first post of the new year than to announce some matches!? And the best part? I'm needing to make this into two posts because there are just too many to announce in one post!

Samson

Savannah

Shawn

Jack

Congratulations to these wonderful kids and their new families! May the paperwork fly through the proper channels and may these sweeties be home very soon!

The Superkids of 2015

In 2015 we made two trips to China and one trip to Taiwan. We met met so many wonderful children! Of these children many are now home and many more have families doing the paperwork to bring them home. Their little faces tell the story better than we could in any other way, they are why we do what we do!

Here they are! 

The Matched and Home Superkids of 2015!

Leo

I have one of the most precious children to introduce today. A couple of years ago Chelsea and I saw this sweet little boy in one of the rooms in the orphanage we were visiting. He seemed to want to be part of the action, but he wasn't on our list of children to see. Of course, Chelsea being Chelsea that made no difference whatsoever to her and she sought him out to make friends. I don't know which of them enjoyed it more, but I do know that both of them cried when they had to say goodbye.

We have seen Leo twice since then and every time he is so sweet and happy, enjoying every moment of interaction.

Leo is 9 years old and has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. He walks with the assistance of a walker and can walk a few steps by himself. He speaks in complete sentences although his speech is hard to understand.

Our notes on Leo are filled with exclamations such as "so fun!", "engaging", "easy to play with!", and "sweet smile!".

Leo is a child who would thrive in a family! He so desperately needs therapy and to be able to be educated to reach his full potential. Could he be your son?

Please contact Keely O'Dell at keely.superkids@gmail.com for more information about Leo.

And please share this post! YOU could make difference for him!

Felix

Felix is an active 10 year old boy who is ready to find his forever family.  Felix is currently in elementary school where he gets good grades.  He is adventurous, outgoing, playful and lively.  You should see the other photos of him that we have – his personality really shines through!

Felix gets along well with both adults and his peers at school and in the orphanage.  He enjoys playing with Legos, riding a bike, playing video games and playing ball games.  He has actively participated in the English lessons proved by volunteers.

Along with an older half brother, he has been in care since he was two years old.  Due to adoptive parent illness, Felix and his brother had an adoption fall through before being placed with the family, and this has crushed his heart.  He has seen many of his friends leave with their forever families and asks when it will be his turn.

Felix has shown some attention deficit issues and hyper activity. He has been prescribed one pill of Ritalin daily and has shown improvement.

For more information on Felix, please contact Gladney Taiwan Program Caseworker, Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org.