A child in need of a family

[Guest guest]

Hello!

I am an advocate for kids with special needs who are waiting for a family of

their own. I learned about a one year old child of Hispanic descent in Alabama

in need of a family and wanted to share his info with this group in case anyone

would be interested in adopting him or know someone who might be. Once this

child is adopted, he will qualify for at home nursing care -anywhere from night

nurses only to round the clock nursing support.

If you or someone you know are interested in adopting him, you do not need to be

from Alabama to do so and the contact person is Annie Hamlin and you can email

her at this email address: annie.hamlin@...

Here is the info I was given about him:

" Lifeline has learned of a beautiful little boy who has spent the first year of

his life in a hospital, knowing only the care of his dedicated nurses and

doctors, never the love of a dedicated family. His birth mother is unable to

take care of him and we are searching for the perfect family for this little

one. His needs are great and it would be very easy to just dismiss this

beautiful baby boy by convincing ourselves that his needs are TOO great and TOO

overwhelming and there are just no families out there willing to take this on,

this beautiful child who is trapped within a tiny little body that just refuses

to work. However, we serve an awesome God who knows better. He knows what lies

ahead for this child and if it is his will, He will bring this child's forever

family to him and He will equip them for the path that lies ahead for Rodrigo

and his family. Please read about precious Rodrigo who is cognitively all there,

who would know and understand the love and tender touch of a family, his very

own family, not a nurse or a doctor but a Mom and a Dad. Please read and pray

for this beautiful baby boy who needs so much but who will, I have a feeling,

give so much back.

This would be a domestic adoption. Rodrigo is in the hospital but still in

custody of his birth mother. There are several steps in the adoption process

that must happen before Rodrigo could go home with a forever family. In the

chance of losing contact with the birth mother, the adoption process could be

long and difficult, or the child may no longer be available for adoption.

This is what we know about Rodrigo's condition, according to conversations with

a neonatologist, pulmunologist, social workers, and nurses:

Rodrigo has a rare condition known as multi mini core myopathy, a congenital

muscular disorder. He has very little to no muscle tone and will be on full

support for his entire life.

He is medically fragile, and a lot of his care has to do with prevention(making

sure he does not get bed sores, suctioning his ventilator and providing proper

nutrition).

He is ventilator dependent and tube fed.

He will need multiple care givers, since two are essentially needed for his care

and it can be emotionally and physically exhausting to provide the constant care

needed. It is ideal to have at least three care givers fully trained to care for

him. He currently receives physical therapy as part of his care.

Rodrigo is able to interact some with his eyes, and can move his tongue. He

recognizes his care givers and tolerates his care well, but is unable to

communicate pain. He has a limited ability to respond- He will not be able to

talk.

If he is not adopted, he will most likely live in the hospital his entire life.

It's been spoken the best setting for Rodrigo would be in a loving home, where

life could be made as normal as possible for him. Doctors believe he can thrive

in a different environment, although his condition will never change.

This is going to be a very hard placement but the social worker who has met him

says that he is precious and if they cannot find a family, he will spend his

life in an institution. He really needs an experienced family. "

Thank you for spreading the word and I am praying and hoping that this precious

child will find just the right family to love him forever,