Exceptionally good or precious; surpassing (greater than) what is common or good

That is one definition of SPECIAL. 

I give it because many of the Journey of Hope children are considered to have 'special needs'- a label that sometimes scares prospective adoptive parents away from a child.  So I wanted to address the topic a bit and also share a resource or two that may be helpful and educational if you are considering adoption but unsure about a 'special need' a child has. 

When Crossroads sends out their newsletter, we always are asking families to share their stories.  A recent story shared fits well with this blog post:  

This family had adopted two children domestically and three from India.  They felt their family was complete.  Then, when attending a birthday party for another Indian adoptee, a woman who worked with an organization in India shared about a child with no arms or ears that needed a family.  At first, they brushed off the possiblity, but as they talked later that night, they decided they would adopt this child. The little girl, Prayma, was 3 ½ months old when she came home.  She had arms and she could hear- a little different than the initial referral information- but Prayma never could talk or walk.  She used a wheelchair and needed daily care, but she was a teacher and joy to all. Everyone in the community knew her and everyone loved her.  When, at age 18, Prayma switched from the school district to the Developmental Achievement Center (DAC), her caregiver through the school made the transition with her.  While Prayma died at age 22 due to cirosis of the liver, probably due to one of her medications, she was surrounded by family who wouldn't trade away a single day with her. She was “the gift of the century” according to her mother.

This story is one of a child with greater special needs- a precious girl who made a great, exceptional, special impact on many people. 

While a few of the children in the Journey of Hope program have special needs near the extent of Prayma's, most of them have needs that are able to be medically addressed and have a positive prognosis. A few of our kids have cleft lip and palate; some have Hepatitis B (or are a carrier); one boy has Thalassemia; a handful of boys have urogenital conditions that specialist reviews have said are ones they perform surgeries on everyday; a few have mild limb differences. 

Rainbow Kids is a great site to visit to learn more about specific special needs: http://specialneedsadoption.rainbowkids.com/

We also have a list of families who have adopted children with these special needs who are willing to talk with others about their experiences.  Please contact danielle@crossroadsadoption.com or call 952-831-5707 if you'd like to be connected with one of them!

AND- I want to share a few videos of the group with you! These kids make me smile! :)  You probably wouldn't even guess they have special needs- just that they are exceptional, precious kids!

Email danielle@crossroadsadoption.com or call (952) 831-5707 to talk about a child, Journey of Hope, special needs, adoption, or with any questions or comments you may have.  Also, please let us know if you have ideas for spreading the word on these kids or can help us do so- we just have a few months left to find families for them!

Boys

We wanted to update you on how our Journey of Hope program is going.  Four children now have families!!!! We are so excited for these children and for the families adopting them. 

If you haven't done the math yourself, four with families means there are still 36 needing families.  We are still getting inquiries on some of the children and we send all the information we have on the kids to those who express interest.  We feel families are the best place for children to be- surrounded by love and laughter and hugs- and we have great HOPE for these children.

You're probably wondering why the title of this blog is 'Boys.'  Well, I (Danielle) was just thinking back on my childhood and growing up with a brother...It was great! I mean, there were the days that getting a ball tossed at me unexpectedly wasn't my favorite.  But overall, boys are just fun! (Girls are, too, but I wanna focus on boys in this post because we have a number of Journey of Hope boys who haven't quite got the attention they deserve, I feel.)

Boys...maybe people think they'd be harder to raise- that there would be more behavioral issues with boys- or that adopting a boy won't bring the same return affection as adopting a girl. I'm not sure why girls sometimes get more adoption-attention...

I just remember times with my brother and experiences babysitting boys...catching frogs and turtles and creating habitats for them at home; trying 'dare-devil' stunts (that in all reality were not that dangerous but seem cool as a kid); listening to comments like 'Man, I'm throwing HEAT today' or a string of sports statistics that I would never be able to remember.  Building forts, racing toy cars, creating obstacle courses, wrestling... The list of FUN goes on and on.  

But just as much as I recall, with my brother and with the boys I've babysat: A wildflower bouquet from the front yard.  A big hug.  Cuddling up to read books.  Baking cookies together.  Teaching me the rules to a game.  Patiently explaining a process.  Calm logic when I'm letting emotion take over.  Long late night talks.  I like to observe people, and so often I see boys giving their mom a hug out of the blue, running up just to say 'I love you', watching their dads in a way that shows they believe 'You can do ANYTHING, Dad!' and trying to be just like him, gently watching out for their siblings- whether it holding their hand or standing up for them when they don't like how they are being treated.

Boys... Here are a few- energetic, creative, sweet, wise...and needing the love and hugs of a family.

Pan Qing Yue (Male, 6 years old; post operative congenital heart disease, cleft lip/palate- needs surgery)

Pan Qing Yue is described as a fun-loving and happy child who loves to dance.  Born with congenital heart disease, he was often sick until he underwent heart surgery in 2009. Surgery is scheduled later this year for an unrepaired cleft lip and palate.  Pan Qing Yue is an active child and a quick learner.   He likes to play with toys, listen to music and sing.  He has a ready smile and gets along with others.  Pan Qing Yue is closest to his caretaker and other children in the orphanage.

Pan Zi Min (Male, 6 ½ years old; repaired cleft lip/ palate) Pan Zi Min is an energetic child who likes to draw and play finger games and help others.  Even though he is short for his age, his motor development is good.  His caretakers say that he needs extra instructions to stay focused, that his intellectual development is poor compared with peers. Pan Zi Min can communicate with others (though his speech is not always clear), read simple books and sing (sometimes excitedly), and likes playing with his peers.  He is described as both shy to strangers but also fairly extroverted and obstinate at times.  His cleft lip and palate have been surgically repaired.

Wang Yuan Hua (Male, 8 years old; swollen tonsils)

Wang Yuan Hua is a shy, polite child who has a gentle voice and talks respectfully to elders.  He is in 1st grade and enjoys math, although his grades could use some improvement.  He has good motor development and performs his daily personal cares independently, as well as helping out with chores.  Wang Yuan Hua communicates well with other kids and teachers.  He enjoys a variety of foods and has a pleasant demeanor when offered items.  He has been staying with foster parents since 2007, with whom he gets along with well. 

Hai Hua Qiang  (Male, 9 years old; repaired cleft lip/palate)
Hai Hua Qiang is an outgoing and happy boy.  He was brought to the orphanage at birth with a cleft lip and palate, which was repaired when he was 3 years old.  Although he did not speak a whole lot before his surgery, his caretakers immediately saw an increase in his speech after his surgery.  Hai Hua Qiang has a small scar above his lip which would be less noticeable with cosmetic surgery.  He does not seem to let that bother him, though, as he smiles constantly.  He is shy in front of strangers, but active in front of people he knows well.  Hai Hua Qiang is described as a sensitive child who respects adults, gets well along with his classmates and is loved by all.

Fang Zhou Xiong (Male, 12  years old; healthy)

Fang Zhou Xiong is an active and out-going boy.  He is healthy and has no medical concerns.  Fang Zhou Xiong was found abandoned at the age of 5.  He was placed in an orphanage until age 6, when he started living with a foster family.  Fang Zhou Xiong has had normal growth patterns and has developed on track in all areas.  He does well in school and seems to be a bright child. They describe him as a nice, smart and clever boy.  He likes to play with the other kids.

Email jill@crossroadsadoption.com for more information on these boys or other children in the Journey of Hope program or about Crossroads Adoption Services. 

You're Invited!! THIS SATURDAY!

Crossroads Adoption

Journey of Hope

China Program Open House

Saturday, May 14th, 2011

9:30 am-12:00 noon

7600 Parklawn Avenue, Suite 352

Minneapolis, MN 55435

952-831-5707

 

Journey of Hope provides adoption agencies the opportunity to visit orphanages in China, meet children, take pictures and videos of the children,

and share that info with potential families.  Crossroads has had the privilege to get to know 40 specific children from three different orphanages in the Guangdong province.  We have only 6 months to find homes for these kids!!

The children range in age from 3-13 years old.   The program includes children with minor to major special needs, as well as some  healthy older children

with no medical concerns.

 

 

This is an informal time for Crossroads to share 

Stories!  Photos!  Videos!

about the children they met

Come and go at anytime!

Ask your questions!

Kids are welcome!

 

This event is open to anyone interested in the China Special Needs Program,

whether in process already, considering adoption, or even just curious.

So spread the word! J

Also, SINGLE WOMEN are now allowed to adopt through the special focus program— which includes all of the children in this program!! 

Wow - what a day! We spent the entire day today with the 38 children from the 3 orphanages. It is difficult to describe the full emotions from it all.
　
We were warmly welcomed by the orphanage staff. They had a giant sign made with our Crossroads name on it and began with a formal ceremony. The orphanage director welcomed us and then we gave a 20 minute presentation on Crossroads and on life in Minnesota. After the ceremony, the children performed a talent show.

The children sang and danced in groups and also individually introduced themselves to us. It was quite touching. Some performances from the kids made us laugh hysterically - there was one little guy who can shake his hips better than anyone I know. Some of the kids brought us great sadness. The older children were told by orphanage staff that we were from the United States and that we would be looking for families for them. I think this fact weighed heavy on some of the kids. One 10 year old girl started crying and when I asked staff why she was crying, they told me she was nervous because she wanted a family so badly.　　

During individual time with each of the children, we were able to ask questions to get to know them, as well as ask questions of their caretaker. We took pictures and videos of each kid. Of course I can not list information about all of them here, but I will highlight a few.　
　
Hua Xiao Dong
(10 yrs old; lesion in her brain when she was younger that caused some difficulty with use of her right hand/right arm slightly shorter than left arm)

Hua Xiao Dong is a sweet, sensitive child. The caregivers say she is very easy going and gets along well with others. They describe her as shy and quiet, but a happy child. She has a warm smile. Her caregivers　describe her as average in school and on track with other kids her age for general development. They said she could use her right arm fine but she sometimes has trouble doing things with her right hand gripped tightly.　　When requested, she was able to use her right hand to color easily. She drew us a picture of three people and labeled them. After she left the room, Tu told us they were labeled "mom""dad" and "me."　　
　
Dong Yuan

(12 yrs old; healthy)　

Dong Yuan is described by his caretakers as a sweet and polite boy. They say he is a smart child, but does not do very well in school because he started school so late in life. He is currently in a foster family. Dong Yuan loves to cook - especially stir fry vegetables which he says he learned how to do from his foster mother. He interacted well with us - although shy and quiet at first. The staff explained that once he gets to know someone, he is a very outgoing and talkative child. Dong Yuan does not have much time to be adopted - if he does not find a family in the next year, he will be too old to be adopted by China law.　
　
Zhang You Xue
(4 yrs old; facial hemangioma)　

Zhang You Xue is a fun loving and very happy child. She was interactive and outgoing, yet showed signs of being attached to her caregivers. Her only health concern is the large hemangioma on her face. Her caregivers describe her as being very smart. She was able to follow instructions and answer questions. She smiled the entire time we met with her and seemed to have a love for life at her little age.

We will be sending out information about all 38 children in a week or so. Please help us in finding homes for these children!! Consider the information about the kids you have read so far, look at their pictures and help us think of families who might be interested in learning more about some of the children.

Tomorrow we will have another day to interact with the children.
I look forward to sharing more information on the children!!　

Jill

As I stare out our Beijing hotel window, I think about the way that international adoption has changed over the past 5 years. 

The wait times have gotten much longer for adoptive families. 
The number of healthy younger children available for adoption has decreased. 
The number of older children or children with special needs have increased.

Crossroads as an agency is responding to these changes by participating in the Journey of Hope program.  This program allows us to work with 3 specific orphanages.  In a few days, we get to meet 37 kids from those orphanages and we will be given 6 months to find homes for as many of the kids as possible.

Today our trip to China began with a visit to the CCCWA (China Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption).  Thanks to all the families who sent me pictures and write-ups about your kids!  We were able to meet with the Executive Director and the Deputy Director of the CCCWA, along with staff from all 8 departments.  It was quite an honor to brag about what great adoptive families we have!

I have included some pictures of Joan Clarkson, Crossroads Executive Director, myself, Jill Grasley, Assistant Director, and Tu, our Chinese liasion, with CCCWA staff.

 

Jill Grasley