Sweet, sweet little boy who desperately needs a family

Sorry I haven't been on top of things....

I've wanted to share sweet Maxim for a while, but I wanted to do it with a video of him playing in a ball pit.


I can't get the video to work, but you can see it here--along with some very cute pictures of this guy. Maxim loves playing with balls.

Maxim needs a family because every little boy needs a family.

Maxim would do great in a family. The missionary working with him (whose blog is linked to above) says he would be a joy to parent. She says he is doing very well, understands a lot, follows directions, loves to play, accepts affection.

Maxim needs a family so that he can have medical care.

In his country, any problem he has is attributed to his Down Syndrome. In Eastern Europe, when a child has Down Syndrome, if his abdomen is distended, it's gas and it's because of Down Syndrome. If a child is 10 pounds at 9 years old, it's because of Down Syndrome, not criminal neglect. If a child can't walk, it's not rickets or lack of stimulation, it's Down Syndrome. If a child doesn't know what to do with toys, it's not that they haven't been given a toy and played with--it's because of his disability.

Maxim needs a family to reach his full potential.

Missionaries have visited him and worked with him and he shows so much promise. Even with just an hour a day of one-on-one stimulation, he's made great strides. This kid will blossom even more with a family, medical care, and therapy.

Why doesn't he have that?

Because he was born in Eastern Europe, where if your baby has Down Syndrome, you don't bring him or her home. Because he is a little boy and not a little girl--so many more little girls are adopted. Because he has strabismus (because when he was a baby he probably was left to stare at blank walls all day). Because his tongue sticks out. Not because he's low-functioning--he seems to be doing very well. Not because he isn't worth it.

Maybe you're Mzxim's mommy. Or maybe you can give just a little bit to help bring him home. Or maybe you can share on your blog how much he needs and would benefit from a family.

David (from Adeye's blog) has a family coming for him.

Genesis' family is also adopting Dmitriy.

Each week families are stepping forward to adopt the kids the world considers the least of these. You can be a part of it.

Responding to a special plea for a special family

This sweet boy is David:



You won't find him on Reece's Rainbow. You won't find him on any site listing waiting children. No, I'm not pulling another fast one on you... David really does need a family.

David has an ANG tube and is diagnosed with epilepsy, developmental delay, acid reflux, and brain damage (possibly cerebral palsy). He has also had heart surgery. At this point, David does not eat by mouth.

God loves this precious little man. God is preparing a family for him. But how can they hear if no one tells them? How can they see if no one shows them? David's country does not believe anyone would want a child who weighs only 17 pounds at 3 years old and who cannot walk or talk. He is not played with, touched, or even taught to sit. He lives in a nursing home because no one else would take him. And no one from his country has tried to find a family for him. That's where you come in. If you have a blog--ESPECIALLY if it's not an adoption blog--if you know someone interested in adopting a child with special needs--if you visit an adoption forum--please share David. His mommy or daddy might be reading.

But look at this sweet little boy inside, who never had to be taught to smile! (Please see the video on the original blogpost; can't figure out how to post a video).

David has no hope where he lives now (an Asian nation). But if someone loves him enough to bring him home, David has hope and a future. He doesn't have to stay in that crib until he dies of old age in that same nursing home--or more likely dies of neglect a good deal sooner.

These are his country's "preferences" for an adoptive family:
~~ Both spouses should be under 50.
~~ Judges prefer smaller families--but there is some flexibility.
~~ Around $4500 for in-country fees (legal, translations, etc.).
~~ A homestudy costing $1500-$3000, depending on where you live.
~~ Travel and accommodation in-country.
~~ Visas, etc., stateside.

David can be adopted. He just needs a family willing to go and bring him home. The adoption should be affordable--which in the adoption world probably means between $15,000 and $20,000. The process would take 6 to 8 months. Since these are preferences, not requirements, if you don't meet one, or even a couple, you may still be able to bring David home! So if one of you is 51, or if you aren't sure your family is small, but you really think you may be David's family, you could try.

Serious inquiries only, by families hoping to adopt David, may be sent to mlhadoption@gmail.com

I got this information from Adeye (No Greater Joy Mom), who received it from a missionary in David's country.

We serve a God who loves to take on desperate cases. We serve a God who does miracles. Surely He is a God who can find a family for a little boy who's never had a mommy and has a smile as wide as his face.

And a God who can find a family ready and eager to love a deafblind daughter.