This is the story of a determined little girl learning patience, written by her adoption advocate, Teri Bell. If you find you are interested in more information on this child, please contact Teri at aiaateri@aol.com

I’m just over one and a half years old and so far in life, I haven’t had a lot to say. I try to talk but the sounds never come out like I intend them to. I’m adding words all the time now but I’m not ready to tell about myself. The lady writing this story promises to do her best to tell about me.

I’ve had a lot of time to watch and observe others and I’ve made some great friends. I guess you could say I’m kind of stuck. I keep telling my body to do the things that I watch my friends do, but it just doesn’t work out right. I’m NEVER going to stop trying however. I’m living in a place with many other children around me. I’m the youngest here and that means everyone pays extra attention to me and many visitors come and talk to me. When I was younger, I hated that part. People wanted to talk to me and all I wanted was for them to go away. I tried yelling and crying and it usually worked. Then I grew up, I figured out that those guests sometimes brought toys, candy and books and that they really weren’t so bad after all. My friends and my room mother always talked nicely to the guests and I decided that if they were really nice I would stop crying at them. Now I’m a big girl and I like the company. Some of the people sit down and play with me and make me laugh, I really like to laugh. Although some of my friends run to greet people they want to be with, I have to wait patiently for them to come to me. I’m really learning about patience and waiting!

I’ve heard that I have something called Arthrogryposis. That word is bigger than I am. I don’t know what that means and I don’t understand why I have it. Here is what I do know. My arms, hands and legs definitely don’t work like I want them to. I have a man who is gentle and kind and he works with me in moving my arms and legs. He really tries hard to help me move to the best of my ability. We get together three times a week. There is also a nice lady who works with me on using my hands and other body parts. I like to use my right hand best and I can hold things in a few of my fingers. This lady is trying hard too to help me get stronger and to learn skills so that I can do more things….like play. She says that my right shoulder has some good movement and that she will help me use it more. With all this help, I know that every day there will be something new I want to try on my own!

My Mom tried to keep me with her when I was little, but I was a handful and she knew that I needed more attention and help than she could give me. She loved me and she tried hard but now I’m living with a lot of friends and some wonderful big people and everyone here has the time to try and help me move better each day. My room mother loves me and she does everything she can to help me every day to be as “independent” as possible. I think this means that she wants me to be able to do stuff on my own whenever possible. I also have a very special friend who loves me. He is a big boy, he’s over two years old, and he helps me. He used to have some movement problems too but now he’s much much better. If he gets a treat he gets one for me also and brings it to me. If he brings me a cookie I can hold it and bend my arm to eat it (sometimes this works well). If he is thirsty, he asks for water and when he’s done drinking he shares with me. He isn’t the greatest pourer but he tries and I don’t mind getting wet some times. He also brings me toys, plays with me and just sits with me. People say he’s my “boy friend” what ever that is. When I’m not in therapy or in the play room, they have a special chair that I can sit in. It’s good for being able to see everything that goes on in my room. I especially like the times when I’m read to or when people are singing. We have a TV in my room and I like the cartoons.

Now I’m waiting again. They tell me that I’m ready to find my very own family. It’s hard to be patient but I’m learning.

Note from Teri: This special little girl is loving, social and curious. She is full of fun and greets those she is comfortable around with a big smile. There is no question that corrective surgeries, physical/occupational therapies and life long adjustments to maximize her potential, will be part of her life and the life of those who are fortunate enough to become her family. Here is her RainbowKids listing number: http://www.rainbowkids.com/wc/viewChild.jsp?oid=11896

For more information on Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita here are a few good places to begin:

There is a great organization for people dealing with this medical condition: http://www.sonnet.com/avenues/

http://www.shrinershq.org/patientedu/arthrogryposis.html

http://kidshealth.org/faq/arthrogryposis.html

http://www.orthoseek.com/articles/arthrogryposis.html

Teri L. Bell, LSW, MA

Special Needs Coordinator

http://aiaaadopt.org

Americans for International Aid and Adoption

651 687-0259

651 688-6639 fax