Lyle

Meet Lyle. He is 3 years old and as cute as can be!

The Superkids Advocacy Camp volunteers spent time playing with him and trying to teach him how to blow bubbles. They said he especially loved the little music player and would listen to songs over and over.

Lyle has multiple medical needs including a chromosomal disorder and Hepatitis B. He is developmentally delayed, but not by that much! He seems to be doing really well!

He walks independently and throws a ball. He loves watching his reflection in the mirror and gave himself kisses. He has a sweet personality and shares toys with other children. He loved when it was his turn to spend time with the medical team and enjoyed the attention he received from each of them.

Little Lyle needs a family who is open to some uncertainties, could that be you? Please contact april Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org for more information.

The Dynamic Duo - Diana and Dustin {Taiwan}

Make way for a dynamic duo… Diana and Dustin! A mix of a little sugar and everything nice, plus puddle jumping and mud pie making all in one special package who could ask for more?

This brother and sister sibling group is so precious. Diana,7, just like many other little girls loves dressing like a princess. She was so excited to show off her Elsa dress with sparkly snowflakes. Dustin, 8, sported a pair of jeans with Angry Birds patches and a red t-shirt.

Both kids were eager to explore the toys in the room. Each took turns kicking the soccer balls into the goal net. It wasn’t long before Dustin noticed the Lego kits. Soon he was all involved and enjoying the kit to make a car. Diana was so proud of her brother. He even helped her put together a girly Lego kit that included tiny puppies and bows. The bond they share is so sweet to watch.

This dynamic duo is in search of their forever family. Diana and Dustin are looking for a mom and dad to call their own, a home to make their own with lots love and encouragement to be whatever they want to be!

Could you be their forever family? For more information on Diana and Dustin, please contact Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org.

Family Friday!

Look at the little cutie whose family found him!

ZhenZhen

Congratulations from all of us!

Jewel

I think it should be pretty evident how Jewel got her name! Just look at this little one! She will be a treasure to her family for sure!

Jewel is 3 years old and has Down syndrome. She especially likes mirrors and loves to look beautiful and get her hair done!

She walks independently, throws a ball, and runs to her nanny when she is called. She feeds herself with a spoon.

She is described as a happy, outgoing little girl. When asked what her favorite things are her caregiver said that she likes to play with stuffed animals and take the other kids' shoes off! Too funny!

Jewel is such a darling baby girl and she needs a family! Could she be your daughter? Please contact April Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org for more information!

Nikki

Oh sweet little Nikki! She is 10 years old and has cerebral palsy. She is so sweet and beautiful and smart.

Nikki attends school at the orphanage. She receives daily therapy. She likes school and has a lot of friends. She is outgoing and friendly. When we met her in April she answered many of our questions herself rather than letting her caregiver answer. She said she likes to draw and her favorite game is "dropping handkerchief", she also informed us that she doesn't like meat.

She is independent in her self-care and can walk without assistance. She follows two step commands, counts, and can read simple Mandarin characters. She speaks appropriately for her age, though she is a little hard to understand. She was eager to do any activities we gave her to do when we met her. She also was really good at imitating English words!

This little girl has a special light, if you would see her smile you would understand what I mean! Could little Nikki be your daughter? Please contact April Uduhiri at april.uduhiri@gladney.org for more information.

Davis {Taiwan}

Amazing Davis is one of the older boys we met while on the latest Superkids trip to Taiwan. What a precious young one he is! He is 9 years old and sweet, so smart and has no medical concerns.

With only a short time to capture who Davis is we saw his sweet spirit. He has a close friendship with one of his fellow housemates. This connection showed as they talked about the Legos and meeting the Superkid team. So polite and grateful for the Lego kit and snacks. All while showing off how smart he was as Keely tested him with her flip chart test.

Davis has a great pearly smile with the straightest teeth, the most adorable wire framed blue glasses that still let his warm brown eyes shine through, and the dearest fluff dark head of hair. This precious boy is the so sweet!

Davis is in search of his forever family. He is looking for a family to call his own, a place to call home and maybe even a sibling. Could amazing Davis be your son? Could you be his forever family? For more information on Davis, please contact Mary Chapman at mary.chapman@gladney.org. 

Living With Hepatitis B

The following was written by a Gladney adoptive mom. Her insight is so valuable! Many kids with hepatitis B, including Dexter, are waiting for families! Would you be open to this special need?

I recently found out from Gladney that some potential adoptive parents are hesitant to pursue adopting children who have hepatitis B.  As someone who has chronic hepatitis B (HBV), I wanted to send a clear message to those parents: do not let the presence of hepatitis B, even chronic hepatitis B, prevent you from adopting an otherwise healthy, loving, and ready child.

Here’s my story.  For over 20 years, I never knew I carried the surface antigen for hepatitis B (HBsAg), nor that I had, and still have, chronic hepatitis B (HBV).  But to be honest, once I found out, not much changed in my life.  I continued to eat, sleep, drink, and exercise as I always did. Since I discovered my condition, I have rarely thought about it, and it has never affected my overall health. 

In my research on hepatitis B, I found that 1 in 12 Asian Americans is affected by hepatitis B. In China and Taiwan, it is an endemic problem with over one-third of the world's 240 million infected living in that region. And many that have it have no idea that they're infected, leading to the high mortality rates of those with hepatitis B.

But for those of us who are aware of our situation, and who get regular medical care, hepatitis B is a very manageable condition. I do, of course, monitor my health.  I have a hepatologist, whom I visit annually for an exam, ultrasound, and bloodwork. (When I reach 50 years old, I will have an ultrasound every 6 months.) So far, my virus load has been so low that there has been no impact to my liver. With consistent continuous monitoring, I will be able to detect any liver damage or disease early enough to successfully treat it.

And I'm careful about transmission to others. I cannot donate blood. I always practice safe sex. And my husband was vaccinated. When I had my daughter a few years ago, we made sure she was vaccinated shortly after birth so she wouldn't even have these concerns.

So I know that hepatitis B is very manageable.  Indeed, I’m not the only one in my family managing the condition. My sister is similarly affected. We believe the antigen was passed from our mother at birth.  She has had the same experience I have had.  

When I spoke with Gladney about a potential adoption and realized that hepatitis B was preventing some children from being adopted, I was truly shocked. Yes, there is a potential impact to the liver. However, with regular screening, that impact to the liver can be minimal and managed. In fact, the management of hepatitis B is probably less cumbersome than high blood pressure or diabetes, since there are no dietary concerns and daily monitoring is not necessary. 

So please, do not let the presence of hepatitis B, even chronic hepatitis B, prevent you from adopting an otherwise healthy, loving, and ready child.