Georgina   (# 272)

(child's name has been changed to protect their identity)

Girl, Born September 24, 1999

From her medical records:

Georgina is a stunning little girl with dark hair and eyes.   She may have some Asian blood in her, gorgeous olive skin!    She was born with an ASD, but has had corrective surgery and is doing very well.   The photo we have of her is older, but she is just gorgeous!    Walking, very active, considered a moderate mental delay.   Please give Georgina a chance to have a real family, and show the world what she can do!

Inborn cardiac malformation:   Atrioventricular sepal defect – full form.  Corrected pulmonary hypertonia.   Eisenmenger Syndrome.

She moves independently, with a stable gait. She can go up and down stairs on her own. She runs, jumps, goes under benches and furniture. The child cannot speak well, active vocabulary is missing. She pronounces only separate sounds and certain words which are hardly understandable. She cannot connect the words in a sentence. Her attention is not stable and is varying; she easily gets distracted and concentrates with difficulties. She works slowly in classes and easily gets tired. She understands the speech of the others and performs the tasks given. She is very emotional, energetic and affectionate. Frequent change of the moods is observed. She can play with toys on her own; she likes to interact with the other children. She is contact, likes to be paid attention by the adults. The child participates with willingness in drawing activities – she likes to draw. She doesn’t know the colors. She has a sense for musical rhythm – she can dance and likes to listen to music. She watches favorite children’s shows with interest and likes to look through children’s books.

The child is radiant, friendly and emotional. She carries out orders with willingness. She likes to be clean and neat. She shows curiosity and likes to be paid attention. She doesn’t create conflicts and doesn’t exhibit aggression. She endures discipline with difficulties. She is contact. The child can dress and undress but needs the help of an adult. She has elementary skills for eating that need to be perfected. She eats a lot. She can wash her face and her hands on her own. She signals for her physiological needs with mimics and gestures. She is active in the play activity. The child likes to draw, to listen to music and to dance. She likes the walks outside and plays motion games with a ball.

The child is with a good social adaptation. She fits in well in the children’s group. She likes to play with her peers. She likes to be paid attention by the adults. The child understands and comprehends the speech of the others but can not reproduce it. The work with her is entirely individual.

The work with the child should be directed to:

1.                 work for the practical activities and skills for self serving;

2.                 learning the parts of the face and the body, learning the colors;

3.                 work for formulating notions for space and time, as well as for the stability of the attention;

4.                 building up the main conceptions, practicing the right articulation of the words, visits with speech therapist and psychologist;

5.                 work for development of the sensory activity aiming at mastering certain manipulations with objects.

Kristina

Girl, Born October 2003

This blonde haired, blue eyed beauty is a favorite of the orphanage.  She is so smart and high functioning that she was able to be transferred to a regular children's home, not the institution.  But she still desperately needs a family!

• 2 trips

• Both parents for 2 weeks

• Wait 2-3 months for court  (at home)

• Both parents travel for 2nd trip, one can leave after 4 days, the other waits one week longer

• No family size restrictions

• No parental age restrictions

• Total program and travel fees under $25k

• Fee includes a $500 orphanage donation

• Multiple children can be adopted simultaneously (from the same orphanage)

• Married couples and single mothers may apply

  Please contact Andrea directly for more information

Corinna

Girl, Born January 12, 2003

SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!

Corinna is a beautiful little girl who has spent the last 2 years of her life in a mental institution.  She has SO much potential, and is close to walking, but spends much of her days lying in bed for lack of anything else to do.    She was sent to this facility from another baby house we work in now, so it is imperative that she be saved! 

She does have some strabismus, but no heart condition.  She is able to stand on her own, but is not walking quite yet.   She is very much a baby, even at 6 years of age.   She is only 21 pounds at this time :(    But she will really blossom in the care of a loving family, and has every reason to be able to walk and run and really thrive.   There will be very little left of this "shell" once she gets home into her new life!     She has tremendous potential, and could be another amazing success story! 

The orphanage staff tell us she does like to play with toys, is interactive and affectionate, and has "potential to improve".

Girl, Born on March 16, 2001

 This blue-eyed, blonde-haired beauty needs a loving family to thrive in!   Natalija is described as active and friendly.  She doesn't like to be told "no" or be reprimanded, and cries as a result  (aaahh, girls!).    Natalija likes to play games with her peers, even if she doesn't quite understand the rules.  She is friendly and responsive, and is very loving towards her caregivers and friends.   she is very good at playing independently and focusing on the task in front of her.  She is stubborn sometimes, but I have found that this is a common trait of children with Down syndrome!   Natalija does have a few words and basic self-service skills.  She can dress and undress without help, and also eats and drinks unassisted. 

• 3 trips :(

• Both parents for 2 weeks for bonding time

• Both parents come back for court several weeks later

• One parent returns for 4 days to complete Embassy paperwork

• Total cost, including travel approx $17,000

• Stay in a furnished apartment or house with your new child for bonding

• Multiple unrelated children be be adopted

Please contact Victoria Kats at About A Child for more information. 

Girl, Born on April 14th, 2001

Little Emilija is just beautiful!  She has light blue eyes and dark blond hair.   Emilija's receptive language is good.  She understands what adults say to her, but she can not speak on her own yet.    The doctor recommends continued speech and physical therapy, even gymnastics and music therapy!  Emilija does have an older sister, but she is not available for adoption.

• 3 trips :(

• Both parents for 2 weeks for bonding time

• Both parents come back for court several weeks later

• One parent returns for 4 days to complete Embassy paperwork

• Total cost, including travel approx $22,000

• Stay in a furnished apartment or house with your new child for bonding

• Multiple unrelated children be be adopted

Regrettably, a photo will not be available prior to the submission of your formal dossier.  :((  However, you can request to be given the referral photos of multiple children from this list so you can choose at that time.  

Please contact Victoria Kats at About A Child for more information. 

Annalise

Girl, Born August 2003

Annalise is an adorable and fiesty 6 year old who loves to run and play outside !  She is waiting patiently for a family to call her own!   Annalise understands simple commands in (2) languages, including English ! She attends special education and speech classes with other children. She had surgery in 2003 for her heart defect and does not require any further treatment for that condition .

We are so blessed to finally have some children referred from this country.   Country fees have been reduced by $14k and income requirements reduced as well!!    Orphanage care is outstanding in comparison to other countries.   The children are very well loved and cared for here.   But it is still never the same as having a loving family of their own, and the advantages of being raised in the United States.

Please contact Jeanne directly for more information

Callie

Girl, Born June 2003

From our facilitator:   "Quiet, but sweet disposition.  Loves to look at books and draw.  Follows instructions well and can point and say what she wants.  Has good beginning speech.  Likes to dress herself and dance with music. Enjoys playing with other kids and can also play alone well.  Scared of new people, but warms up quickly.  Seems to be very smart."

We are so blessed to finally have some children referred from this country.   Country fees have been reduced by $14k and income requirements reduced as well!!    Orphanage care is outstanding in comparison to other countries.   The children are very well loved and cared for here.   But it is still never the same as having a loving family of their own, and the advantages of being raised in the United States.

Please contact Jeanne directly for more information

Dasha

Girl, Born May 22, 2003

SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!

Dasha has blonde hair and blue eyes.  Pardon her lack of a smile, but she is a very active and friendly little girl.  She is HEALTHY, with no medical complications from her Down syndrome.

Dasha is in the same wonderful orphanage as Kate, below, and has truly been given a 2nd chance at life.  Won't you give her something to smile about?

Kate

Girl, Born December 28, 2003

SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!

This beautiful, brown haired, brown eyed angel is living a dream when it comes to orphanage life.   She is already 5 years old, but is living in a "school", where she actually has an opportunity to learn.   God has given her a second chance, and saved her from a level 4 mental institution.   She was diagnosed with a cardiomyopathy, but you can see from her photos that she is doing well, is very active, and clearly able to learn, or else they would never have sent her to this place.

Please give Kate a loving family, to show her true potential!  She is in the same orphanage with Dasha, and can be adopted together.

Maggie   (#219)

(child's name has been changed to protect their identity)

Girl, Born February 15, 2000

From her medical records:

Skull (facial) dismorphism is present with the child. The skin of the child’s limbs is dry.

          The following diagnoses are established with the child: Down Syndrome – Trisomia 21. Hypotrophy I-II degree. Children’s Cerebral Palsy – hypotonic form (the gait is impossible). Severe mental lagging behind. Oligophreny – severe degree.

          During January, 2008 fracture femori dextri is established with the child.  Measurements taken on October 17, 2008: Weight – 13.000 kg, Height – 94 cm.

It concerns a child who is in a good general condition at apparent age younger than the real. She lags behind in her physical and psychical development. She is auto and alopsychically disoriented. She needs constant specialized care.

The physical development of the child lags behind significantly from the indexes for the age. The child can only sit by static support; she can sit up with help. She has hypotonic limbs.

Fine motorics – underdeveloped, she takes small objects in her hand with difficulties and keeps them for a short time. She doesn’t control the parts of her body in the space.    Her perceptions are fragment and unstable. The notions are elementary, associated with immediate satisfaction of her physiological needs. She is not oriented in the space and time.

The attention of the child is attracted and kept with difficulties. She gets distracted easily. The mental process is very difficult. Her memory abilities are very limited.  The imagination of the child is undeveloped.   She is not interested in the surrounding world. The child can only sit by static support and can sit up with help. She shows her main needs through shouts and crying. She is indifferent toward the others. She doesn’t show affection and preferences.

The child is emotionally labile, inhibitions of the will are lacking. She initiates contacts via shouts or waving of hands. She can not show specific emotional conditions – joy, anxiety or sadness. Ability for self-esteem or self-control is lacking.   The child is with limited mobility. She is taken care of entirely by the personnel. She can’t control her physiological needs. She can’t eat independently. She doesn’t have hygienic habits built up.   The child doesn’t speak and doesn’t understand instructions. She establishes contact with difficulty. She pronounces stereotypical sounds when she wants to be paid attention.   She doesn’t show affection.   She can’t socialize.

March 2009

Isabelle   (# 305)

(child's name has been changed to protect their identity)

Girl, Born February 14, 2002

From her medical records:

The child is in a very good general condition.   Elementary thinking processes are observed. She can’t speak but pronounces sounds and combinations of sounds: ba-ba, etc. that are completely random.   She knows her name and reacts when called.   She carries out elementary orders.   She is not oriented for place and time.   Her attention is unstable, her memory is mechanic.

In emotional aspect the child is calm, merry and playful. She enjoys the attention that she is paid and actively seeks it. She easily enters into interaction with the children and the adults in the orphanage. She has friends among the children and prefers to play with them.  She reacts actively in musical classes – makes rhythmical movements, but almost doesn’t play with toys and prefers to put them in her mouth or toss them.

The child walks independently and carries out the orders of the physical therapist – crouches, stands up.   She already eats by herself. She doesn’t signal about her physiological needs and is taken care of entirely by the personnel of the orphanage.

The child is being taught to put her clothes on and take them off on her own. The training for gaining life skills continues.

(child's name has been changed to protect their identity)

Girl, Born May 8, 2002

 Miss Naomi was born via C-section with club feet and intervalvular defect II degree in her heart.  SHE HAS HAD SURGERY AND IS NOW UP AND WALKING!!

Recently, one of our families adopted a little boy with DS and clubbed feet from Ukraine.  They wanted to share this message with potential adoptive families in the hopes it will help Naomi find a loving family of her own! 

Girl, 7 years old

Born on April 18, 2001

LATVIA

    Veronika is another Baltic beauty, with blue eyes and blonde hair.  She is described as calm and well-behaved.    She willingly performs directions from adults, and waits for encouragement and praise for doing a good job.   Veronika is very observant...she keeps a close watch on adult’s speech and action, understands directions with the help if gestures/signs, tries to imitate adult behaviors, and reacts very positively to praise.  She doesn't  like to be reprimanded.   Veronika gladly engages in contact with a known adult, is cautious in contact with strangers, can cooperate with peers, and can play common games.  Nevertheless, she plays very well on her own as well.    She  is able to act consistently and determinedly when she has a good routine (this is another common thread for children with Down syndrome).  She has difficulties "switching gears" quickly.  She can analyze and compare in a simple level, but cannot separate colors and sizes yet.  She has a small vocabulary, is familiar with the parts of the body, eats independently, drinks from a cup, observes manners at the table, dresses and undresses alone, and brushes her teeth without assistance.   Sounds like the perfect child to me!

Veronika is in the same orphanage with KYLE, # 62 at www.reecesrainbow.org/gallerylatvia.htm

• 3 trips :(

• Both parents for 2 weeks for bonding time

• Both parents come back for court several weeks later

• One parent returns for 4 days to complete Embassy paperwork

• Total cost, including travel approx $22,000

• Stay in a furnished apartment or house with your new child for bonding

• Multiple unrelated children be be adopted

Please contact Victoria Kats at About A Child for more information. 

for Veronika

Amelia (# 27)

(child's name has been changed to protect their identity)

Girl, Born August 31, 2001

From her medical records:

The child is with inborn cardiac malformation – Fallot’s tetralogy, for which in 2005 a surgery was performed: radical correction of the Fallot’s tetralogy with valvate conduit contegra 16 mm. Desobstruction of the right valve exit way. Plastic of intervalvular defect with Dacron. Plastic of the two branches of the lungs artery.

          There is data for chronic conjunctivitis. The child is often ill with infections of the upper respiratory tract.

Measurements taken on April 30, 2008: Weight – 11.000 kg, Height – 100 cm.

          Severe lagging behind in her mental development is  present with the child. She doesn’t have developed speech, utters sounds and tries to pronounce the word “baba” (Bulgarian for granny). She knows her name and answers when called by name. She carries out elementary orders. She can turn from back to stomach and vice versa, she sits, stands and walks along stable support or holding on to two hands. She likes to snuggle, to be talked to and then shows cheerful emotions.    Amelia can drink from a cup and already eats independently.

          Zone of closest development: play with legos and cubes; consultation with speech therapist for determination of speech abilities. 

Last updated: October 1, 2008