A child is waiting: Patience will unlock Chris' potential

A child is waiting: Patience will unlock Chris’s potential

By Honey Murray for Digital First Media; photo by Tony Bennett for ART & SOUL

“The best thing about me is that I am kind,” says ten-year-old Chris.

His care provider agrees. “Chris can be thoughtful, helpful and caring,” she said, “and has used his own money to buy gifts for others.”

He is also very intelligent. “Chris is cognitively bright and capable, with lots of potential,” says his care provider. “He likes science-related activities and crafts, especially paleontology.”

An energetic fifth grader, Chris enjoys athletics – especially playing basketball. “He has a natural athleticism,” says his care provider. “He’s very talented and involved with sports, including having been on the t-ball team.”

Outdoor-loving Chris also enjoys nature hikes and observing the local deer and rabbits. He is interested in animals and likes to watch nature shows – when he’s not playing “Star Wars: Force Unleashed” (his favorite video game) or working with his Batman Lego set.

“He’s independent, persistent and resilient,” his care provider says. “He needs a household with two parents, and he needs to be the only child. In Chris’s case, a perspective home should be active and open to having Chris participate in extracurricular activities such as sports and would need to be patient with the adoption process, as well as being licensed and having previous trauma training.”

“Chris would also benefit from a mentor, an unpaid adult who accepts him as he is and enjoys spending time,” his worker adds, “who would call him weekly and share activities with him. It’s a special part of their lives.”

For more information, contact Orchards Children’s Services at 855-694-7301 or visit www.orchards.org

Originally published by and for Digital First Media