Vanessa Chan

Precious little Abigail (b. February 2013) is awaiting a forever home. She needs a family that will hold her and provide comfort. Abigail is very medically complicated and is in a persistent vegetative state. She requires assistance with mobility and rotation during the day and night. Abigail is a little girl that deserves one-on-one human interaction and affection. She does not seem to have the ability to speak or acknowledge people who provide care for her. Those who know her, though, fall in love with this darling little girl of Latinx descent.

Abigail’s delays and medical issues stem from Treacher Collins Syndrome. She has a history of Seizure disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Anoxic Brain Syndrome, Hardness of hearing and Blindness. She is dependent on a ventilator, trachea, and G-tube and receives physical and occupational therapy. Abigail tolerates being moved throughout the week and although she has multiple medical issues, she has been consistently stable in health.

Like everyone else, this little one deserves a chance to live with a family that will understand her needs and that will provide her with unconditional TLC. Could this be your family? If you are interested to learn more about this little angel, please contact Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services at 626-229-3790.

Let’s meet Adyn [b. July 2009], a bright and energetic young teen and budding tech expert! Adyn likes playing video games, but even more so he loves tinkering with electronic things – like old broken radios or broken motorized toys – to see how they work. In addition, Adyn is discovering increased interest in being outdoors and doing things swimming, riding bike, or playing soccer. Adyn will fully engage in things that interest him, and lately one of those interests is an idea for when he’s older and has a driver’s license, of finding his future ‘dream vehicle’ – a Ford truck – and going on a cross-country expedition.

Adyn likes going to school to learn and to socialize and play with his friends. He is doing okay academically, but he could improve his grades if he applied himself a little more as there have been times when he has not completed some of the classwork. Adyn gets assistance at school so that he can continue to meet his educational goals. Adyn is in therapy and has made a lot of progress, and now uses the skills learned in therapy in regards to respecting the personal space of others and choosing better words to communicate his feelings.

Adyn does have two older sisters who are being adopted and he would like to find a family that is supportive of his maintaining a relationship with them. If you’ve been tinkering with the idea of expanding your family and think that a budding engineer or tech expert like Adyn could be a good fit, let us know. We are looking to connect Adyn with his forever adoptive squad! Photo Credit: Children’s Action Network

Meet Jonathan, a dynamo of a kid who enjoys expending energy – whether it’s jumping around on a trampoline, dribbling a basketball, or splashing around in the pool! Jonathan was born in December of 2012 and is a self-described “happy kid” who likes to make friends and spend time engaging with people. Jonathan wants to be a police officer when he grows up to help ensure that “no one gets hurt or has to go to jail.”

Jonathan has been able to tolerate virtual school and is receiving services to assist him in dealing with frustrations and to communicate when he is angry or upset.
Jonathan is very aware that he has many food allergies, including being allergic to eggs, milk, and fish. He does, however, enjoy foods such as apples, bananas, carrots, and apple sauce. Jonathan has Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism Disorder which entails the use of a G-tube to meet some of his dietary needs. Jonathan is diagnosed with ADHD and PTSD for which he is on a medication regimen and receiving Wraparound services. He is also benefitting from Regional Center services such as speech and language therapy with specialized academic instruction to help with a Mild Intellectual Disability.

Jonathan is hoping to join a forever family that will help him reach his full potential and will also enjoy playing and finding joy in the here and now. If you can picture Jonathan as part of your family’s portrait, let us know. We’re ready to help you bring Jonathan’s future into focus! Photo Credit: Aura Aguirre

Eric (born in August 2010) is a charming and engaging boy, full of curiosity! Eric is genuinely interested in learning about people, circumstances and the world around him. As you can imagine, he’s also talkative and asks a lot of questions. Unusual for someone his age, video games and television do not rule Eric’s attention as he prefers to do hands-on activities. Eric has a mechanical aptitude in that he loves to take things apart and put them back together and he wants to know how things work. Eric is also athletic and loves to engage in physical and sporting activities that require running and physical exertion.

Eric’s physical coordination shines through when engaged in some of his favorites such as basketball, baseball, soccer and riding bike. Keeping active and engaged in activities is very therapeutic for Eric and helps him retain his focus. Eric hasn’t expressed particular career interests for when he grows up. For now, finding his way into a forever family will help nurture such future aspirations. Eric is loyal to those he cares about and he has some biological family connections he would like to keep.

The adoptive family Eric would like to be part of would be sensitive to and supportive of such connections. Eric envisions having parents who would allow him to (help) cook meals and build things. Eric also likes the idea of having a pet, a cat in particular. If you can envision Eric as a permanent part of your enclave, please reach out to us. We want to help to help Eric find the family he fits into and in which he can become all that he is meant to be! Photo Credit: America’s Kids Belong

Robert Michael (b. 6/2010) is an adventurous, outdoorsy kid who loves going on hikes, exploring nature and climbing trees. And with his love of being outdoors and in nature, it’s a good thing that Robert Michael (who often goes by Michael) is also curious about and fascinated by… bugs! And in addition to bugs, Michael says he like animals in general and likes to ride horses. Michael likes to keep active, enjoys exercising, and dreams of playing football as a career when he grows up. When he is not outside playing, Michael likes to play video games. He also likes building things and even identifies being an engineer as a back-up career.

When asked what’s he’s good at, Michael responded “loving a family” and he pictures himself asking for hugs and checking in with other members of his forever family to see how they are doing. Michael is friendly and gets along with his peers. He identifies as Christian and would like a family that supports his faith and attends church on a regular basis. If you can envision Robert Michael as part of your family flock, please let us know. We want to see him adopted and moving onward with his future family! Photo Credit: America’s Kids Belong

Robert (b. 9/2010) is friendly, funny and outgoing — and definitely doesn’t mind being the center of attention! He’s easy to engage in conversation and delights in sharing the details of his day. Robert’s hobbies include playing board games, video games, basketball, and swimming. Robert is in middle school and science is his favorite subject.
Robert tends to be a generous and caring friend to others, and he is open to and excited about being a part of a forever family. If you feel your family might be the right one for Robert, please let us know. Seeing Robert with a sense of security and settled in with an adoptive family will feel right as rain. Photo Credit: Laura Gallegos

Giovanni is an adorable little boy who engages by smiling and who has a calm demeanor. Giovanni was born in July of 2020 with many challenges including Bilateral Ventricular Hemorrhages, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Lung Disease, Central Sleep Apnea, and Global Developmental Delays. Giovanni is dependent on a G-tube for all of his nutrition and medication.

Giovanni is of Latinx descent. He is a ticklish toddler and really enjoys one-on-one attention. Giovanni really likes music and toys with bright lights and sounds. Giovanni is benefitting from Regional Center Services such as Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy which are helping him gain muscle strength as well as to reach for and hold objects.

If you feel called to care for one such as Giovanni, please let us know. This little one deserves a home, too. Photo Credit: David Tsay

Ly’Dell is a charismatic little boy who leaves an impression on those who meet him! Ly’Dell (November 2019) is a trooper and although he deals with some medical and developmental challenges, he continues to grow more each day.

Ly’Dell suffered seizures in utero resulting in right-side paralysis. His primary form of mobility is the use of his wheelchair. Ly’Dell is diagnosed with Failure to thrive, visual impairment, VP shunt hydrocephalus, Cerebral palsy, and Global developmental delays. Ly’Dell receives services from the Regional Center, including Physical therapy and Occupational therapy.

Ly’Dell is able to crawl around, reach for toys, and cuddle. He enjoys movies such as Aladdin and Moana. Ly’Dell generally has a more bubbly personality, but he’s also a bit of a fussy eater and requires some patience during mealtime. Ly’Dell does best in more serene settings as he does not do well with overstimulation, sometimes reacting with head-banging when he’s overwhelmed.

If you feel called to care for the likes of Ly’Dell, please let us know. The rest of Ly’Dell’s story could be yours to tell as his adoptive family. Photo Credit: Brandi Stroud

Sophia (b. 10/2011) is the lived name of this bubbly and energetic child! Sophia can be helpful, but also enjoys being the center of attention. She is good at sharing her thoughts and needs. Being the center of attention and being expressive are qualities that could help if Sophia chooses to pursue her dream of being a singer.
Sophia likes going to the park, running and playing handball. She is into gymnastics and is interested in taking gymnastic classes. Sophia also enjoys exploring new restaurants and trying new foods – sharing that shrimp and fries are among her favorites and that cheesecake is tops when it comes to dessert!
Sophia has a good sense of humor and is caring and loving towards those she trusts. If you feel you might be able to make the choice to support Sophia transition into being part of your family, please let us know … it could be one of the best choices you ever make! Photo Credit: Peter Christansen Valli

Meet Alexander! He is a beautiful little boy inside and out. Alexander is described as a very happy child. He likes to watch movies and listen to audio books. Alexander is a gentle soul with a heart of gold. Alexander is not fully independent and requires a wheelchair for mobility, however, he is able to utilize a gait trainer from time to time. Alexander is able to reach out to people that are familiar to him. Alexander also really enjoys pet therapy time and arts and crafts. He really enjoys having stuffed animals around him, it seems as though he likes their feeling of coziness. He is generally event tempered, but can get a bit irritated when his routine is interrupted.

Alexander is diagnosed with XQ22.1 which is a genetic disorder. He is able to eat solids but is mostly dependent on a G-tube for all his nutrition needs. He really enjoys food and delights in different textures and tastes. Alexander has developmental delays and has been benefitting from range of motion therapy. Alexander is non-verbal and communicates with gestures.

Alexander was born in September of 2014 and is of African-American descent. Are you up to the challenge and reward of raising this awesome kid?