This Child

What is it about this child that touches my heart so? This is Quinntavius again, or Quinn, or Colby - the other names he has been assigned for advocacy. He is three years old, just a few months younger than my youngest sons. He is missing his right hand, and he has droopy eyelids. Although droopy eyelids can occasionally be associated with other motor or neurological issues, most of the time it is an isolated problem, as far as my research shows. It does require treatment, sometimes surgical, so that the vision is not affected, but generally has no long-term implications if properly treated.

So WHY does this child still wait? I believe it may be because his development is delayed. Although his crawling is strong and coordinated, reports indicate he does not walk. He talks but his language is delayed. I have seen videos of him crawling and I can say that his feet look properly positioned, they don't look like the muscles are tight, and he moves his feet and ankles well. Maybe he doesn't walk because he hasn't has opportunities to try. Maybe he has low muscle tone. Maybe he just has no motivation to try and walk. And the truth of the matter is that if he was a girl of the same age with the same special needs, he probably would have been chosen long ago. A sad but true fact in the world of adoption.

The positives? His videos show a child who looks at people when they speak to him, a child who crawls easily around a room, a child who appears healthy and well-nourished. The orphanage report claims that he can follow directions, is working on potty-training, and can use his hands to pick up things. He has SO MUCH POTENTIAL!

To my knowledge, several families have expressed interest in him. But to date, none have moved forward to adopt him. Where, oh, WHERE is his family?