Children with genetic conditions are waiting to be adopted
Thousands of children across the country, from a variety of backgrounds, ages and sibling groups are waiting for their adoptive families. However, as the gap between children needing families and those coming forward to adopt continues to widen, sadly it means certain children often wait longer to be adopted.
Children with additional needs such as health conditions, disabilities or learning needs are one such group that statistics show may wait nearly a year longer than children without them.
Adoption Now, a North-West based adoption agency, is shining a light on those children who need adoptive families, who can care for them safely, help them reach their potentials and see them as the amazing little people they are.
Specifically, the agency has seen an increase in the number of children who have been diagnosed with genetic conditions. These are diseases or disorders caused by abnormalities in a person's DNA. They can be inherited from parents or arise spontaneously and many are quite rare. Genetic conditions can encompass a wide range of health problems, from birth defects to chronic illnesses as well as covering a wide spectrum from minor needs to those that are more severe.
One child who has been waiting for almost a year for her forever family is two-year-old Heidi.
Heidi is a curious and gentle two-year-old girl, with big blue eyes and rosy cheeks. She has beautiful long hair and loves to ‘swish’ it when she’s walking. Like most little girls she loves shoes and handbags and her favourite trick is emptying your handbag and trying on her carer’s shoes! She enjoys playing with her dollies and pushing them in their pram, as well as going on the swings and slides at her local park.
Heidi was born with Di-George Syndrome and this has at times impacted on her physical health and development. She is usually very well at summertime when there is less chance of winter illnesses. Heidi gets on with things like any other child and doesn’t let her medical condition stop her. She has a wonderful zest for life and absorbs every opportunity she is given.
She is looking for a family who will see past her medical condition and have some flexibility in their lifestyle so she can attend her appointments, as well as being organised to ensure she does not miss important check-ups.
Not all genetic conditions are present at birth; some may develop later in life. Spencer is a one-year-old little boy who has one of these conditions; he’s a funny and clever little boy who’s currently meeting all his milestones.
Spencer is good at catching bubbles and reaching out to bat the toys in his baby activity gym. He likes to sit on his carers’ knee in the afternoon and look through his favourite animal book together. He can even turn the pages himself!
Spencer has been diagnosed with genetic condition called NBEA syndrome which four of his siblings also have. This condition works on a spectrum and can have symptoms such as developmental delay, Autism, ADHD and Epilepsy, which he isn’t currently showing any signs of. Spencer needs a family who are accepting of the uncertainty around his future development and can see past his condition, to look at what he can do and support him to achieve his full potential.
There are such a wide variety of genetic conditions, many are complex and can be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Our understanding of these conditions is ever-growing and there are some conditions we may still not be aware of.
Lola is a beautiful, cheeky and happy two-year-old who is described as a pleasure to care for.
She enjoys going to the park, soft play and playing in water. She loves to watch nursery rhymes with ‘Miss Rachel’ and ‘The Wiggles’ on TV and enjoys any music and interactions. She is learning new things every day!
Lola has some development delay but is making very good progress. She has started walking and is learning new words. Although genetic testing has found no confirmed conditions, it is felt she may have an unknown condition, as both her birth parents have learning difficulties, which meant they couldn’t care for her safely. Lola needs a family who are accepting of the potential uncertainties around any future needs, and able to support her to reach her potential, as well as providing lots of cuddles and opportunities to create happy memories together.
Understandably, these genetic conditions can appear daunting to people considering adoption however, these children are some of the most vulnerable and deserve safe and loving families who can care for them.
Caring for these remarkable children can be so rewarding and there is lots of support available every step of the way, so if you could consider a child with a genetic condition don’t rule yourself out but have a conversation about what might be available to help.