Special Advocacy Post: Remember Richard?

Back in May 2012, an adorable 5-week-old baby boy arrived at New Day Foster Home.  We named him 'Richard'.  He was loved and cherished here by our staff and volunteers (you can read this post written by one of them), but when it was discovered that he had vision impairment, we had a difficult decision to make.  We don't have much expertise in caring for children with this special need, but thankfully a wonderful foster home nearby does.  So we said goodbye to Richard, but did not forget about him.  Recently, a staff member at Bethel contacted us, asking if we would be willing to help find a family for Richard...

Please feel free to share this post as widely as possible - Richard's forever family is out there somewhere.

Baby Richard

Richard came to Bethel from New Day in 2013. He has a vision impairment and some delays, but we hope that they can improve with therapy. 

Richard in 2014

Last month, we got a new therapy chair that spins around and Richard just loves it! He has learned how to sign the word "play" to tell his Bethel mamas that he wants to get in it. This is a huge victory for him! 

He has had some occupational therapy with some other wonderful organizations, and we'd love to see him with a forever family. Unfortunately, when Richard's orphanage officials came to visit him, they decided not to continue preparing paperwork for adoption because they don't think that anyone will adopt him. We are hopeful that if a committed family steps forward, they will consider preparing his paperwork. 

Richard has some unknowns, but we think he deserves a family too! 

Email tabitha@bethelchina.org for more information.  Videos available on request. 

NDNorth: All About Timothy!

It's been brought to our attention that little Timothy is paper-ready for adoption! Just in case his forever family may be reading this blog, we thought that we'd introduce you to this very special little guy.

Timothy is a year and a half old, but adorable beyond his years. He has the indisputable talent of being able to make hilarious faces. This is Timothy's "There's a big ball rolling towards me!" face. 

Timothy has Down Syndrome, which means that he has less muscle tone than other children his age. To help him gain strength in his legs, so that he can learn to walk one day soon, he spends some time in the prone stander every day. During that time, his nannies like to play ball with him. Timothy loves balls.

Timothy can play well by himself, but he's getting more and more engaging, and has decided that Freddy is his very best friend. The two of them have the same nanny and so do a lot of activities together. Don't they look like buddies?

It's Timothy's smile that really gets us... he is so happy!

And when he's really, really happy, he can twist his face and make us laugh.. which makes him even happier. 

Timothy is famous for his socks, or lack thereof. He will not leave socks on for any lengthy period of time and it's not uncommon to find a sock here or there on the floor, and when we ask the nannies, "whose sock is this?" she'll always reply, "Timothy's!"

Why does Timothy take his socks off all of the time? Well, it could have something to do with his toes...

Is that right, Timothy?

Aha! Is it because your toes are yummy?

...or maybe they're just so much fun to play with?

Whatever the reason for Timothy's aversion to socks and delight over little toes, there is no doubt that he's a scrumptious little guy, full of personality and joy and potential.

We thought that you'd enjoy seeing Timothy in action, because what's better than a picture of him being cute? A video, of course!

Before bedtime the other day, we pulled out the baby dolls for a more restful activity. Timothy quickly picked his favorite dolly and chatted with her for quite a while. If only we understood what he was saying to her...

It's hard to be too much cuter than Timothy...

For more information about adopting this little guy, you can contact Julie at info@cawli.org 

More information about adopting a child from New Day can be found here.

NDSouth: All About Hayden

[ Hayden's file is now at WACAP adoption agency, Ckids@wacap.org  WACAP is offering a $4000 grant towards the cost of his adoption.   For further information, please contact Doug Bush at doug@newdaycreations.com ]

When you meet Hayden, you'll maybe notice his smile first.  The way it lights up his whole face. Then the way he tilts his head to one side and and swings his arms as he daydreams.  

He is a boy of few words, but he shows he understands what his Ayis are saying to him.  He loves his Ayis and is learning to trust and listen to them.

Hayden loves the outdoors and is often comforted by being outdoors, when he is feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.  He runs, smiles and plays with such a gentle spirit, learning how to interact with other children.

Hayden needs the love of a family.  He has been at New Day South since 2013 and in that time he has watched many of his foster brothers and sister go home to their forever families.

As Hayden has grown before our eyes, we've seen him transform from a scared, withdrawn little boy, to a joyful, happy, learning to trust little boy.

Hayden needs a patient family who has space for him to roam and explore.  A family that will encourage him and celebrate each milestone in his life.

Hayden needs a Daddy who will run and chase him.  And toss him in the air.  And a Mommy who will turn on the music and dance with him while he twirls around.

Hayden needs a family that can remind him how special and loved he is, and is not upset when his limited communication may cause him to express his frustration.

A family who can be a part of his world and where he can be fully accepted and enjoyed for the unique way that he is created.

Hayden is doing so well, and his patient Ayis are currently able to manage his needs. He gets regular check-ups and his medical needs are being addressed... but this situation is not permanent. While we are committed to caring for Hayden, he needs a family who will step up and adopt him, promising to be his family forever. 

We believe Hayden has a family out there, who hasn't discovered him yet, but is just right for him.  A Daddy and a Mommy that is missing a special little boy to complete their family.

Could you be that family?  

All You Need Is Love

Margaret, one of our Summer Staff volunteers who taught in the Backyard School, wrote this post about our precious Lucy.

“All you need is love”.  This simple phrase is much more than a song title, and I have never seen it more clearly than in Lucy, who embodies this idea that “love is all you need”.  Every time a visiting group comes in, she runs over and does her best to steal their hearts, often doing just that. Whenever a volunteer comes in, or visitors stop by, Lucy will immediately run over, grab their hand, and get all the attention that she longs for.

The thing is, Lucy might steal a heart or two for some time, but she needs a heart to hold on to. She’s hungry for love.

Lucy is always trying to please others.  She can become easily distracted simply by the urge to include someone – anyone, into her life and into moments.  She craves attention, focus… love. Spending time with Lucy is exhausting yet fulfilling.  Every minute spent giving her attention is repaid many times over by the look of satisfaction in her face, the rough-and-tumble cuddles she gives and the ways she snuggles deep into your lap.

Lucy needs the love of a family.  She has been at New Day for nearly five years, and in that time she has watched many of her friends come and go.  My heart just breaks for her, especially as I hear her ask, “Where’s my family?” over and over.  Lucy desires a family so much, and needs one that will provide for her the patient and unconditional love that she needs.

Lucy has a family.  I believe somewhere out there is a family who has not discovered her yet, but is just right for her.

Love makes a difference – the love of a family is what will make the biggest difference in Lucy’s life. Could your family be the love that Lucy needs?

Hannah Samuels, who served at New Day for three and a half years and knows Lucy well, has also written about Lucy's sweet nature and desire for a family-

It doesn't matter who you are, what you look like or how long you've been here... the moment Lucy sees you she will run up and offer you something. Most days, her gift of choice is a hand-made pretend meal. Sometimes it's as simple and precious as a hug.

Lucy gives. She's been an orphan since the day she was born - deprived of the family-love that every child deserves, and yet she gives. Lucy has been at New Day for four and-a-half years and will be seven in January. The transitions that she has encountered in her life are too many and unbelievably hard. But, as Lucy has grown up from a baby to a toddler and then into a little girl, she has learned how to give and how to love.

The beauty of this little girl's story is in the miracle of her ability to love and to give despite the challenges that surround her every day.

Lucy has watched her friends, one after another, join families of their own. She's watched them find out that they have a mama and a baba - she's rejoiced with them, but now the joy is harder to come by.

Now, Lucy is more than ready to have a family of her own.

Daily, hourly, she asks us - asks anyone who is around, "Is my mom coming?" "When do I get to meet them?" "Are they coming today?" "Do I have a family looking for me today?"

And we can't give her any answer except for "Not yet, Lucy."

---
Lucy's file is with WACAP, contact  Ckids@wacap.org  
WACAP is offering a $4000 grant towards the cost of her adoption.

Lucy is also on Reece's Rainbow, which means that more people will get to learn about our sweet girl and consider her for adoption, and that all of Lucy's friends around the world have a chance to chip into her adoption fund! This will help to relieve the financial hurdle that an adoptive family will have to face in order to bring her home.

All About Judah

Since we welcomed Judah to New Day just over two weeks ago, he's been settling in and we've been getting to know him.  He's pretty awesome!

We asked Hannah J, one of our Summer Staff volunteers, to write a little about him.  Hannah was the first volunteer to spend time with Judah when he arrived, hanging out with him in the isolation room. She did such a great job at winning his trust, and helping him to relax and enjoy his new environment.

"I didn't know what to think when I first met Judah, and I had no idea how fast he would come to hold a special place in my heart...

He is 6 years old and just like any other six year old, he loves getting into things and playing around. He loves craft time where he can make different kinds of artwork as well as dancing to the motions of row your boat in music.  He is very ticklish and his joyous laughter is contagious!  He loves to laugh and just be around people. 

He’s growing more and more at home here and loves his new friends! 

Despite his disability, he is actually quite mobile and independent. If he wants something, he’ll go get it, and not let anything get in his way. In the playroom his favorite toys are the musical instruments and bouncy balls. 

Sometimes after a long day, he is just happy to sit in your lap with a toy and relax. 

I haven’t spent much time with him in the two weeks that he’s been here but I can see that he is fiercely loyal and loves his New Day family so much already.  I’m so happy I was able to be a part of that for a short while."

In this video you can see Hannah and Judah dancing together!

Judah is getting to try lots of exciting new experiences here at New Day.  He loved the field-trip to the Water Cube, and had so much fun playing in the water with the volunteers.

We're so happy that Judah is settling in and making friends here.  He'll get to learn (in Chinese and English) and have fun.  He'll get good medical treatment (including surgery) for his orthopedic issues, and therapy.

We hope that he won't stay here too long though.  Not because we don't want him, but because we want him to have something so much better.  We want him to have a family of his own.

Could you, or a family you know, be that family?  Contact foster@newdaycreations.com for more information.

All about Asher

The first thing that you'll notice about Asher are his handsome round eyes. If you have ever meet him in person you may start to stare... and then if he notices you he'll cock his head to one side, open his eyes even wider and look up and smile. You'll probably melt.

 If you spend time with Asher the thing that will stick with you will probably be his adorable voice. It's hard to describe... it's just so cute.

 As you interact with Asher you'll be blown away by his vocabulary, his determination and his unique personality. Asher's one of those guys who warms and melts your heart, wraps you around his fingers and then holds your hand and takes you on a tour of all of his favorite things. He loves animals, music, and his foster sister. He's mischievous and creative.

But as you get to know Asher a bit more you'll probably also notice that he has a bag slung across his shoulder, and a tube coming out of his pants. Asher has had quite the medical history. Before he joined the NDFH family in 2012 when he was two years old, Asher had already undergone two pretty major surgeries. Since then he's had another three!

Asher's situation is rather complex, it's something that will need to be addressed with specialists and isn't a one-fix sort of thing.

Asher needs a family who isn't afraid of doctors. He needs a family who makes doctors appointments fun. 

Asher needs a family who loves little boys... and who is ready to add a whole lot of fun and spunk into their household.

Asher needs a dad and a mom who won't mind if he brings rocks and mud and animals home from the park. 

He needs a mom who will turn music on and let him dance.

He needs a dad who will give him big hugs and tell him how special he is. He needs a family who is committed to his long-term care, whatever it involves, for however long it takes.

Right now Asher is living with an incredible foster family. Asher is doing so well, and his foster mom is currently able to manage his needs with a more careful diet. He gets regular check-ups and his medical needs are being addressed... but this situation is not permanent. While we are committed to caring for Asher, he needs a family who will step up and adopt him, promising to be his family forever. Could you be that family? 



Asher's file is currently with BAAS (Bay Area Adoption Services). For more information please contact Xiaoqing Cai at: xiaoqing@baas.org

Advocacy: Sylvia is Waiting

Sylvia was born December 22, 2006 and abandoned the same day at the local train station. She was taken to the orphanage when her parents couldn't be found and diagnosed with a heart defect and neurological defects. She has already had surgery. Sylvia loves to play games with friends, she follows directions and is able to sort objects by color and size. Her fine motor skills seem to be developed well, and although she is delayed Sylvia can communicate with others, she just speaks slowly. Sylvia is able to walk, run, and climb up and down stairs. Sylvia is a friendly little girl and soaks up encouragement. She loves to be praised! Sylvia lived at New Day Foster Home from August 17, 2013 until January 16, 2013. She is now back at her orphanage, waiting for her family to find her. 

Isn't she lovely?

Since Sylvia returned to her orphanage, she has regressed a bit, but not significantly (she made lots of progress while in our Forever Home Group Home at New Day). 

A little glimpse into Sylvia's initiative and personality... after she used the bathroom, Gan Lu (our photographer/graphic artist who visited Sylvia's orphanage) asked her if she had flushed the toilet, and Sylvia replied, "no!" and ran back and started cleaning the bathroom with brushes and cloths... a little confused. She went above and beyond, eager to please.

Sylvia LOVES going to class at the orphanage (she's in one of their wonderful special ed classrooms). One the second day of Gan Lu's visit the teacher was in a meeting and Sylvia was in tears because she wanted her "teacher pick me up!" She is happy, friendly, and kind. 

Sylvia is a beautiful little girl who needs a daddy and mommy to love her as their own. She has lived before with multiple children, both older and younger, and did well. While Sylvia has delays and their are unknowns about her... we know that her greatest "special need" is her need for a family.

Could you be Sylvia's family? Or maybe you know someone...? Her file is currently on the shared list, and you can get more information about how to find her by e-mailing foster@newdaycreations.com

Advocacy: Where is Bobo's Family

We shared about Bobo here, but as of yet nobody has shown interest in this adorable little boy.

Let's see if I can persuade you just a little bit more to consider him.

The second day we spent with Bobo he had a little upset tummy, and so stayed with his nanny all day instead of going to class. He didn't want to be far from her and helped her carry diapers and food for the babies.

He's definitely a mama's boy!

He loves to help out and has such a sweet spirit!

Yan Bo is almost six years old and has droopy eyelids (which do not cause vision problems) and a repaired cleft lip and palate.

The first day we spent with him he was feeling fine and in preschool. The classroom had a tent set up and he LOVED playing in it. Can you just imagine this little guy building forts in your living room on sheets-washing day? 

His lip and palate are both repaired, and his speech seems pretty on track with the rest of his peers in the orphanage, but it's just not very clear. That's because of his surgeries, and he will probably need speech therapy in the future. 

But more than speech therapy... preschool, cute clothes and a tricycle, Bobo needs a family. His vision and hearing are good, he can color and draw and he really enjoys doing just about anything. He has close friends at the orphanage, but he doesn't have any forever siblings.  

Here is a video of Bobo introducing himself in preschool.

Fun in the tent...



And he is even learning how to read numbers!



If you have adopted a child with post-op cleft lip and palate before, please comment with your encouragement to any potential families for Bobo!

Yan Bo's file is currently with Across the World Adoption agency (ATWA). For more information or to inquire about making Bobo your son, contact Pamela Thomas at atwachina@gmail.com (845-641-3963), Mary Thew at marythewy@gmail.com, or e-mail china@atwakids.org.