A Child is Waiting: Thomas Loves Michigan Life -- and Machines

A child is Waiting: Thomas is at home in Michigan – and with machines

by Honey Murray for Digital First Media

Loves the outdoors

A postcard of northwestern Michigan could easily include the figure of fifteen-year-old Thomas: exploring in the woods, playing football with friends, walking trails with a dog beside him.

“Thomas is a loving and considerate kid who loves the outdoors,” says his adoption worker. “He’s sweet and kindhearted, with a quirky, dry sense of humor. Once, when he was asked what he would wish for if he had three wishes, his reply was, ‘First wish: to have unlimited wishes.’”

She adds, “He has mild autism spectrum-like traits and is very functioning. He prefers a predictable schedule and one-on-one interaction and enjoys board games like monopoly, checkers and chess, and he loves to read and listen to music.”

A future mechanic

“He also wants to know why things work the way they do. He enjoys remote control cars and has a huge love of flying drones, and he would like to be a mechanical engineer or a diesel mechanic.”

In a previous placement, Thomas enjoyed helping out in the garage with his foster father.

“Thomas is a very hardworking kid who is passionate about his interests and learning things related to those interests,” his worker says. “But what Thomas most wants is to be accepted by a family who loves him for who he is.”

Thomas describes himself as funny, trustworthy and loyal.

“After school, I like to play video games and fly drones, play football – and watch U. of M. football,” Thomas says. “With a family, I’d like to play cards and have someone to talk to.”

A forever family

His workers believe Thomas needs “two experienced parents who can provide consistent structure and supervision and be willing to participate in the services Thomas needs to excel in school, at home and in the community. Thomas should be the youngest or only child and, since he loves dogs, a home with a dog would be a wonderful benefit.”

“The most exciting thing about being adopted,” said Thomas, “is that I wouldn’t have to leave that place. Every kid deserves a home.”

For more information about adoption, contact Orchards Children’s Services at 1-855-694-7301 or visit www.orchards.org.