Special Needs Spotlight: Microtia

What is Microtia?
Microtia is a congenital deformity where the external ear is underdeveloped. It can occur on one side (unilateral) or on both sides (bilateral). It can range in severity, from a malformed outer ear, to absence of the outer ear and ear canal opening.

What is Aural Atresia?

The term aural atresia refers to the absence of the ear canal. Patients who have microtia usually, but not always, also have aural atresia. Patients who have aural atresia have no hearing on that side but usually have completely normal hearing in the normal ear.

Patients who lack the ear canal also have structural abnormalities of the middle ear with absence of the eardrum and incomplete formation of the small middle ear bones, which allow conduction of hearing through the middle ear.

What are the effects of Microtia?

Microtia is usually isolated, but may occur in conjunction with hemifacial microsomia, Goldenhar Syndrome, or Treacher-Collins Syndrome. It is occasionally associated with kidney abnormalities, and jaw problems, and more rarely, heart defects and vertebral deformities.

Children with microtia and atresia usually have hearing loss on the affected ear. It is important to ensure that there is sufficient hearing because children will not develop normal speech unless they have normal hearing. Children with atresia have hearing loss because the sound cannot travel into the inner ear.

How is Microtia Treated?

Treatment of microtia may or may not include surgery. Parents of children who do not want surgery can opt for an external prosthesis. Depending on the technique used and the degree of abnormality, the reconstruction can be performed in two, three, or four stages. There is a movement toward reducing the number of stages in as many patients as possible to a total of two stages.



More Information:

http://www.microtia.net/webpages.asp?wpid=22

http://www.microtia.us.com/

http://www.microtia.com/what-is-microtia.html

Taylor

Looking for a new writer!!

SWW (Still We Wait) is looking for at least one more writer for the summer! We feel this is a good time to add someone since vacations have not quite started and we would be able to get him/her aquatinted with wordpress and our expectations for the summer. Please if you are interested fill out our application and send it in to stillwewait@aol.com https://stillwewait.wordpress.com/want-to-join-sww/. Also make sure to read the constitution!! Cannot wait to introduce our newest member!! If you have questions feel free to email me at tsw1203@aol.com or you can send a general email Ashton and I at stillwewait@aol.com

Hello Everyone

Hi everyone please remember SWW has moved to HERE.

Also I would like to introduce our new writers that we are so thrilled to have with us.

Meet Mellissa who is 19:
My name is Mellissa, and I am from BC, Canada. I love Jesus and want to be his hands and feet on earth. When I was in grade 8 God told me I was going to be a missionary, a moment that has changed my life. I am now going to college to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, which is a skill I will hopefully be using in missions at some point in the future. Since I was in my early teens I have felt a strong call towards caring for the orphans, and my heart has been broken over their plight. I pray that God will use me through this blog, and find some homes for children!

Lija who is 15:
My name is Lija (Leah) and I am 15 years old. My goal in life is to serve God to the best of my ability and help as many children as possible, in any way that I can. For the past three years my world has revolved around learning more and more about International Adoption and dreaming up ways to live my life in a way that I can make a difference, while taking part in the miracle of adoption. I plan to start going to a variety of different countries on mission trips once I turn 18. I want to adopt children through the special needs program in China, and from Uganda.

Rachel who is 14:

My name is Rachel and I’m 14 years old. I first gained my love for orphans last year when my mom took me on a trip to China. As part of our trip we spent a week with China’s “special need” orphans. My experience really touched me and I couldn’t just do nothing. Since my last trip I’ve gone back to China and stayed longer. I really got to know the children I was with and see what amazing things they could do. I am starting working towards being a nurse so I can help these children all around the world. I also want to adopt “special needs” children from China. I think that every child deserves a family and a loving environment. I’ve seen how these children can blossom with love. I believe that, although adopting SN kids can be hard in some cases, it is a huge blessing. From working with them I know they have the sweetest spirits and I believe that SN kids can sometimes see people as God sees them better than the rest of us. I think they play an important part in God’s plan. I want to help these children all find their families. I can’t wait until I’m able to adopt and can start bringing some home to me.

MaryLeigh is an adoptive mom of two adorable boys from Korea:

Please go HERE to read all about her and her family.

New Writers

We have found our new writers! We will introduce them as soon as they accept their positions! We welcome them to our team and are very excited to have them aboard!

Taylor and Ashton

Blessed

We are overwhelmed at all the people who have wanted to help us out with writing. We are truly blessed to have some amazing people following SWW. We have received so many messages from people wanting to help us out! Ashton and I will be contacting all those that have asked to help us very soon. Thank you to all those that have asked to help and please keep doing everything you do to help orphans of the world!

Taylor and Ashton

Looking For A New Writer

I have a request everyone. We are looking for a new SWW writer to help us out, with me being in college it is getting harder and harder to find time to post about children waiting. I am looking for one or two more writer to help me and Ashton do posts about waiting children and to help educate families on different special needs. I do not want Ashton to have to carry the weight by herself as she is very busy with school as well. Anyone who is interested please email me and we can chat. Or if any of you know of someone looking to start an advocacy blog that would like to partner with us let me know.

All we ask from this individual is a heart for the orphan and a desire to help us find and advocate for children in desperate need of a family. Experience with wordpress and/or blogger would be great but it is something that is easily picked up on and me and Ashton can help you figure it out. Also anyone feel free to apply we are NOT limiting this only to individuals our age.

My Email is tsw1203@aol.com just be sure to include SWW writer in the subject.

UPDATE:
Many thanks to all those that have asked to be a SWW writer we have gotten a wonderful response and me and Ashton will be looking through everyone who asked to write with us. We will let everyone know something soon. Please be patient with us as we are new to adding members to our team and our working hard on getting things together to send out to our new writers. Thank you everyone once again! We hope that one day we will be adding new writers again!

Aging Out

There is a new post over on the new blog stillwewait.wordpress.com/ . Please hope on over and visit. Today's little ones are very close to aging out of international adoption.

Message us for the password stillwewait@aol.com

Guillermo

Male Born October 2009.
SN: bilateral microtia can hear in right ear,
cyst in his left eye that does not seem to cause him problems.


Jump over to the new blog to see his picture and read more about this sweet guy. Please email us for the password. 

New Blog

We have officially gotten everything moved. Please visit our new blog HERE. It is password protected so you will have to email us at stillwewait@aol.com for the password and we will share it. We do ask that you keep the password secure and DO NOT share it. Our main interest is for these children's privacy and to make sure we are not hindering any child placing agency.

Sincerely,
Taylor and Ashton

We are Moving

Still We Wait is in the process of moving to a password protected site. This site will remain up until we are ready to announce the new site. But in the mean time if you would like to be given the password to the new site please email us stillwewait@aol.com Once it is finished we will pass along the website and the password.

Our number one goal is the privacy of the children we advocate for which is the only reason we are switching. We would have loved to stay with blogger but blogger only lets you have 100 readers once the blog is private.

We will still be using this site occasionally since it is where SWW began but children's pictures and full date of birth will no longer be posted here.

Thank you all for understanding.

Sincerely,
Taylor and Ashton

Someone has to be their momma

These two sweet little girls have really touched my heart. Both little girls have very manageable needs and just need families to bring them home and love them. Both of these little ones are on China's shared list.

Sweet Kayia was born Jan. 10th 2004 and has Restricted functions on the right side of her body. (mild CP) Here is what is said about her. Kaiya has mild cerebral palsy, which mainly affects her right hand. She uses her left hand to do almost everything. Kaiya had surgery at a year old to help her right foot to walk better. She walks well, just needs to be reminded to walk "heel to toe" with her right foot. Kaiya attends school, and she is developmentally at the same level as her peers. Her best subject is Chinese. Kaiya is described as cheerful, and she absolutely loves the Pleasant Goat and Big Wolf cartoon. Her favorite toy is a Pleasant Goat doll. Doesn't she just sound precious!! Please someone bring this beauty home. She has been waiting way to long for a family!

Adorable Stella was born Jan. 4th 2004 with Beta thalassemia. Stella is a sweet and active 7 year old girl with a captivating smile! She is very fond of dancing, gymnastics, and singing. She is in kindergarten and her teachers say that she has a good concentration span and that she actively answer questions while in class. She has also been known to make cute toys, which the teachers love! She has been diagnosed with ß Thalassemia and receives blood transfusions for this. Her momma has to be out there somewhere I know she would make a wonderful addition to a family!

Please someone bring these angels home! They are special focus and therefore can be adopted along with another child or you can reuse your current dossier if you have been home less than a year. I know their mommas are out there! If you have question please contact us. You can find our emails under the contact us tab at the top of the page!

Sweet Girls Waiting

Sweet Lola was born August 2009 with Thalassanemia-Mediteranean Anemia.

Little Shalyn was born October 2010 with Hairy nevus, umbilical hernia, anemia.

Chelsea was born January 2011 with Cerebral Palsy. She is such a little peanut that needs a family to help her grow and thrive.

Beautiful Ava was born April 2009 and is post-op Meningocele.

Sweet Tess was born Feb 2002 and has CP. Her photo is an updated one taken this month. Isn't she sweet!

Allison was born April 2002 with the softening of front temporal lobe. She needs a mom and dad to bring out the best in her. There is a video available of her.

Beautiful Valentina was born Jan 2004 with obstructive hydrocephalus and anencephalotrophia. She too has a video available for interested families.

Little Haley was born March 2009 and has been diagnosed with a Developmental delay.

Selena was born June 2006 and was thought to have had hearing loss-but hearing is normal, she was born with neonatal asphyxia.

All of these little girls are waiting agency specific with the same agency. This particular agency has rules that are not from the CCCWA such as you must be home 6 months after your most recent adoption before beginning the process to bring home another child. All other CCCWA rules apply and on occasions they will ask for waivers.

If you would like more on one of these precious girls please email us at stillwewait@aol.com or email me at tsw1203@aol.com.

5 Sweet Little girls waiting!

Someone out there has to be the moms of these sweet little girls. They are all currently waiting in Russia in a region that is easier to adopt from.

• 3 trips are required 
• 1st trip, Both parents for 5-7 days
• 2-3 month wait for the judge to appoint the court hearing
• Both parents travel for 2nd trip about 7 days, both parents leave after the court hearing
• 30-day waiting period is NOT waived for special needs
• Only one parent would need to return after the 30-day wait
• Up to 5 young children in the home if the family income is sizeable (the adopted child being the 5th child)
• Both parents must be younger than 60 years
• Parents may NOT be currently on anti-depressants; prior history of anti-depressants may be permitted on a case-by-case basis
• No criminal background (DWI's acceptable on a case by case basis)
• EASY TRAVEL IN-COUNTRY
• Fee includes orphanage donation
• Married couples and single heterosexual mothers may apply
• Un-related children may not be adopted simultaneously
• Total program and travel fees approx $35-40K

Lizzy 

Girl, born October 2010

I love how she has grown! Old picture is from June 2011, and new one is from Feb 2012. She would so benfit from a family while she is still so young!

Lizzy has Down syndrome and is listed as HIV+; however since she is still so young that may just be that her mother was HIV+.

 UPDATE LIZZY IS NOT HIV+

LOTS more photos available! Lizzy has been featured before but I know somewhere her mom is out there! Please inquire about her!

Annalisa 

Birth Date: February 2009
Gender: Female

This little love was a Valentine's baby     She had a heart condition at birth, and has had a surgery.   

From a family who met Annalisa in August 2011:  She is just starting to walk, playful, chubby!  She is really a cutie. Just starting to walk.  Kept touching my hair when my back was turned and then I would face her and she would pretend she didn't do it.  

Lots of GREAT pictures of Annalisa available!   

Angelica- MY FAMILY HAS FOUND ME!

Angelica was born January 2008. She is HIV-positive. 

She was living in a family before arriving at the orphanage. She is small, vulnerable and sometimes fearful of this new environment. It is not easy to get used to the new circumstances and new people. At first, she did not want to socialize with the other children, but slowly, day by day, she gradually warms up and starts to socialize.

She can sometimes be capricious which is understandable considering all the difficult circumstances she has had to deal with in her short life. She loves to play with dolls and she will often choose a doll out of all the other toys. Angelica eats well and sleeps well. She is getting stronger and healthy. She is lagging behind in development, but she is trying hard to catch up and is gradually doing so. Recently she participated in a children's matinee, and despite her shyness, she recited a poem very well!

Many additional photos are available as well as a recent video.

Alina B.

Alina B.

Date of Birth: August 2004

No siblings

 HIV

Alina is a real leader and has a strong intellect. She can be serious and thoughtful and may also light up with joy. She has endless childlike curiosity and she is very charming. Alina is active, brave, stubborn and she likes to play complex plot games with the boys. She prefers to play with cars and other boyish toys more than dolls. Alina is sociable, likes to tell stories and she is a very happy girl. She was in an orphanage than taken in to a family, but the grandmother found out about her diagnosis and was strongly against it so the foster-adoptive parents terminated their parental rights.

Additional photos available. 

Eliza

Born, September 2006

Diagnosis: Orthopedic and urological issues  

Eliza is pleading for a family of her own.   She is a gorgeous little girl who deserves to know the love of a family, even if only for a little while.   Further medical information is available for interested families.

PLEASE IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE ON ANY OF THESE LITTLE GIRLS EMAIL US STILLWEWAIT@AOL.COM WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THESE LITTLE ONES FIND FOREVER FAMILIES SOON! EVEN IF ONE OF  THESE LITTLE ONES IS NOT YOUR CHILD AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE CHILDREN FROM THIS REGION OR ANOTHER REGION IN RUSSIA EMAIL US AND WE CAN HELP YOU AS WELL. 

Starfish Boy in Foster Care with a Family

Christopher is a Starfish boy that has been in foster care with a family in Shanghai since September 2007: Below is from his Foster family as they have asked me to help advocate for him to find him a forever family. They are unable to adopt him due to circumstances in their home country regarding special needs adoption.


DOB: July 2007

We live in Shanghai and have been fostering Christopher since he was 2 months old.  He has spina bifida and hydrocephalus.  He had surgery for his spina bifida in October 2007 with Dr Bao in Shanghai at the Shanghai Children's Medical Centre.  He can not walk, however he scoots on his bottom with ease and 'commando crawls' to get around.  He is incredibly strong. We are not sure about his bladder and bowel control.  He wea rs a nappy, however he also can do a wee and poo on the toilet sometimes.  Constipation is a problem sometimes and we encourage him to eat lots of fruit and he knows 'it's for my poop!'.  In August 2008, Christopher suffered a broken leg (thigh bone).  He ended up suffering 5 breaks (all in the thigh bones) in 6 months which doctors told us was brittle bones as a result of the spina bifida.  He has been on alendronate since then and has not had a broken bone since February 2009.  The bone density in his legs has improved.  His right foot does not sit flat and this will require surgery later (tendons).

Christopher also has a congenital rib (R) deformity.  This can result in his breathing becoming labored when he gets a chest infection.  We are vigilant when he does start coughing and get him to the doctors.  He has had 2 chest infections this winter.  We saw an orthopedic surgeon in December who felt that the rib deformity was not impacting him negatively and wants to see him in another year.  The rib deformity/future scoliosis will need surgery when he is older.

Christopher wears glasses and his eyes are improving.  I would have to find out more information regarding the exact problem with his eyes, I'm sorry I don't know details.  (Christopher sees excellent doctors at the Xin Hua hospital, however language can be a barrier as it is often in Chinese).

Christopher speaks English and Mandarin, and also some Shanghainese.  He confidently communicates in and is able to translate/change between the English and Mandarin.  He talks a lot - he likes to tell us what he is doing and ask questions.  He loves to listen to stories, talking about the pictures and loves to turn the pages.  He is learning the animal names and sounds and colors.  He counts up to 10 and can count objects.  He loves 'lift-the-flap' books.  He will sit and look at books for a while by himself.  He likes Spot, the Wiggles and Toy Story.

Christopher likes to play with wooden blocks and duplo, stacking them and building.  He plays with Chelsea (5) - they dress up, play doctor s, cook and look after the babies/teddies.  He likes to do puzzles and is so proud of himself when he finishes them.  He likes to draw.  He likes to make simple tracks with his new train set.  He likes to be with Sam (14) and Jackson (11) and loves it when they play their music for him.  He doesn't like loud noises, getting upset when he first hears them.  He likes to go to sleep with his door open a bit.  He has a nap for about an hour in the afternoon.  He goes to bed around 7:30pm and wakes up between 6 and 6:30am.  He is a good sleeper and sleeps through the night.  

He likes to go outside to play.  He loves going down the slippery slide and can do it by himself.  He loves animals.  When we have looked after our fr iends' dog, the first thing he wants to do in the morning is see her.  He just likes to sit beside her and rest his head on her.  He is very gentle with animals.  He likes to go to the park, sit on the grass, roll/throw a ball and loves to blow bubbles.

Christopher is a people person and the life of the party.  Everyone loves him.  He has a beautiful personality.  He is almost always happy, from the moment he wakes up.  He will talk to anyone and says hello to everyone he meets.  He always has a smile that lights up his face!  He has a great sense of humour.  He can be demanding and finds it frustrating to have to wait. We are working on this with him and find the positive - at least he knows what he wants!  

He loves to eat noodles and rice. He also likes toast and sandwiches, sausages and pasta.  He likes dry cereal breakfast along with his fruit.  He feeds himself and can drink from a cup.  He takes his medicine well each morning.  He likes chocolate and chips.  He will generally try most foods.  He doesn't like big chunks of meat to chew.

Christopher has a good routine and knows it well (especially when it's time to eat).  He is very independent and wants to try to do things himself.  He loves a cuddle and kisses.  He loves a 'rumble in the jungle' - a roll around o n the floor. He is very tactile and loves to touch faces (especially whiskers and chins).  He is a go getter, a fighter and an adorable little boy.  He never ceases to amaze us and his happy outlook on life encourages everyone around him.

I have more pictures and videos from his foster family coming and will share those with interested families as soon as I have them. He is an adorable little boy and is in need of a forever family if you would like to know more on him please email me personally at tsw1203@aol.com just make sure to have the subject line as Starfish boy Chris so I know which child you are referring to. Also feel free to share his info with families looking to adopt or with other advocates. Help me find this little guy his Momma and Baba.

Taylor