An Update On... HUNTER!!

Hunter was a 9 year old boy the advocacy team got to meet. He was very shy and reserved on the first day. When we tried to find out why we were told he was embarrassed by his hand. He sat back most of the morning and just seemed to take everything all in and check us out it was not until after lunch he opened up. 

He checked all the different activity stations out from the coloring to play-doh to puzzles before deciding what he wanted to do. He was interacting and helping some of the other boys with their activities as well. As the day went on he became more and more relaxed. The best part was we taught him to play musical chairs and we could see his competitive side coming out, he was a fast learner and followed the instructions. We could hear him laughing and laughing. 

On the advocacy’s field trip to a cooking class, he let his guard down even more and boy did this kid shine. He did not let his hand deformity stop him from doing all the field trip had to offer. At the inside play ground he went around from every station making sure to try everything at least once. He jumped right in and made ice cream, cotton candy, and tasty treats using both his hands. He knows how to make his hand deformity work with him and gets stuff done so it does not hold him back. At the end of the field trip, he went fishing. He was given a fishing net and a little fishing box and without asking for help he was catching fish. 

Hunter is a quiet handsome boy, who takes time to warm up. Could this fun little dude be your son?

Please contact April Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org for more information.

An Update On... HARPER

Harper is another little girl the advocacy trip got to meet. She was very shy the first day the team was with her and it might have been because her foster mom was with her the whole time. You could tell she was very attached to her foster mom, hugging and sitting on her lap almost the whole day. Her foster mom did tell us that she is a nice, sweet girl who can write with both her left and right hands. She added that she is very independent and a happy little girl. 

 

On the advocacy’s field trip to a cooking class, Harper came out of her shell. Harper’s foster mom was not on this trip either. She had so much fun playing with the other kids. She painted some pottery, made a flower out of pipe cleaners, and cooked some tasty treats. She listened and obeyed and followed the directions as each task was given. She is a very hands on little girl, not wanting to be left out at all. She enjoyed trying new things. At the end of the field trip all the kids went fishing and she was not afraid to get her hands dirty and catch some fish.

Harper has a big personality for such a little girl. Could this spunky girl be your daughter?

Harper is 8 years old and has hydrocephalus. She has a shunt and is doing very well!

Please contact April Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org for more information!

Wordless Wednesday! {Advocacy Camp in Shanghai!}

An Update On... HALEY!!

Haley is another kid that the advocacy team got to meet. She was a little reserved at first and it took a little while to warm up but once she did her spunky personality shined. 

She is so full of life and cheery. She is not afraid to dive right in and give it all she’s got. She patiently put a puzzle together and was so proud of the end result, showing it off and letting us know it was her who completed it.

On the advocacy’s field trip to a cooking class, she jumped right in and became a leader for her group. She showed off her good multi-tasking skills, helping the little kids while staying on task. She really loved to cook. When the delicious treats came out of the oven, she proudly went around to all the adults and gave them a treat, beaming ear to ear as she made her way from each one. The last adult was a helper who she gave the last treat to along with a giant hug. 

We taught her to say, “Nice to meet you,” in English and she just thought that was the coolest and funniest thing to say. She kept repeating it over and over. We asked her if she liked learning English and she said yes she likes language. 

Haley is a silly and confident little girl. Could this little chef be your daughter? 

Haley is 10 years old and has a repaired cleft lip and palate. 

Please contact April Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org for more information.

An Update On... HOPE!!

This post was written by one of the participants in the recent Superkids Advocacy Camp, Janell Plana.

Hope is one of the advocacy team’s kids that we got to meet. She came right in and up to us without any hesitation, giving most of us big hugs as if we were long lost friends. 

She was very interested in all the different activities we were doing and spent a lot of time at each one from puzzles, to musical chairs, and putting up and decorating a Christmas tree. But I think her favorite was when we taught her American songs and the dance that went along such as head and shoulders knees and toes. 

Every child was asked to perform for the advocacy team and Hope picked a dance and song for us. And was she the cutest ever. She was so focused on doing the right moves while listening to the music and following the flow of the song. During her performance she didn’t have a care in the world and was not fazed that people were watching her. 

We asked her a few questions and this is how she responded. She said her favorite color was light blue.  She would love to have a brother and a sister. But the best response was when we asked what she likes to learn and she replied she likes to learn from life. 

Hope is such a joy to be around. She was so easy going and happy. She was passionate about dancing and singing. Could this little dancer be your daughter?

Hope is 10 years old and has albinism.

Please contact April Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org for more information!

Vote for Lisa Yue!

Superkids friend and champion -  Lisa Yue
Lady Godiva Program  Finalist!  Cast your vote! 

Lisa Yue has made it as a Finalist in the Lady GODIVA Program and has a chance to win $10,000 for Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation (CCF) which she started 14 years ago. 

We need your vote for her to win! Today is the last day to vote -- and yes!  You CAN Pass this along to family and friends!  Click here to vote:  http://ladygodivaprogram.com/finalists/entry/80094

Since 2013, in addition to her more than full time work at CCF, Lisa has also been tireless in her efforts leading  the Gladney Superkids Advisory Board.  Lisa and the Superkids board together have held 2 successful fundraisers in 2014 and 2015 that make it possible for Gladney to send teams of child development and medical specialists to China.  These trips are instrumental in helping children in China and Taiwan find adoptive families.

It is an honor to support Lisa in her efforts at CCF and it is with deep gratitude and sincerity that we say "Thank You Lisa for making every community you support a stronger community".

The Lady GODIVA Program highlights and honors extraordinary women who embody the spirit of Lady Godiva through their attributes of selflessness, generosity and leadership.

http://ladygodivaprogram.com/pages/2013-about-the-program

http://www.childrenscardiomyopathy.org/index.php

Reagan {Urgent-Aging Out!}

We have met Reagan twice now. This beautiful girl is pure sunshine! She loves to dance and even won a dance competition a couple of years ago.

Reagan has no identified health issues. She is an average student and attends public school. She was so cute! She wanted us to sit with her at lunch time and when Keely and I obviously couldn't understand her she grabbed a pen and paper and quickly wrote out her request! Unfortunately we can't read Chinese characters either, so we had to wait until Rocky came back to translate for us. Fortunately though, we did get to sit with her at lunch time.

She likes to sing and loves pretty, girly things. She is good with the younger children and likes to help care for them.

Reagan is already 13! She has only 9 months before she "ages out" or is no longer able to be adopted. Her best friend is matched with a family and I can't stand the thought of Reagan being left behind and never having the chance of having a family!

Could Reagan be your daughter? Contact April Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org for more information.