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
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