A Child is Waiting: Connor Loves Food, Fun and Friends

By Honey Murray for Digital First Media

“Chili” for Thanksgiving

“Connor will soon be fourteen years old,” his worker says, “and he enjoys lots of stuff that boys his age like to do.”

“I like to color,” says Connor, “and do things with my mentor. I like to play outside and go to Sky Zone and out to eat.”

“In fact,” another worker chuckles, “one of Connor’s favorite holidays is Thanksgiving, and he’d be happy eating chili – his favorite – instead of turkey! He’s a healthy eater, with a huge appetite!”

Connor also has an appetite for fun and friends.

A fan of math

“He loves to be running around outside or playing basketball in the gym,” his worker says. “He’s fun and energetic and loves to be active. He’s really nice and does well with anyone, which is awesome.”

When indoors, Connor enjoys playing Wii, board games and Legos and using an iPad to play “Candy Crush.”

“He loves math,” says his worker, “and really likes using math flash cards.”

A natural explorer

“He is also very curious,” she adds, “and, if something gets his interest, he wants to go explore it. He absolutely loves anything sensory: music, touching different textures, patterns and color…We once had an in-depth conversation about some turquoise floor tiles that caught his eye.”

“Connor needs a patient, two-parent family,” his worker says, “who – since he is on the autism spectrum and has some special needs – can be strong advocates for his school and counseling services. Connor would be fine with siblings as a youngest child. He also loves and is very good with animals.”

Future banker

When Connor is an adult, he wants to be “someone who works in a bank.”

But, for now, Connor says that what excites him the most is the hope of being adopted and “finding a new home with a mom and dad and both brothers and sisters. They love me, and I love them.”

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

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