Birth date: March, 1994
Ethno-Cultural Background: Caucasian
Birth date: December, 1997
Ethno-Cultural Background: Caucasian
Birth date: February, 2000
Ethno-Cultural Background: Caucasian
We would like you to meet three courageous and amazing children: Stella, Jake and Jo. This sibling group has come through an early childhood in which they were exposed to inappropriate adult behaviours and dysfunctional parenting. They may also have been affected by prenatal exposure to drugs. However, they have survived with a high degree of self respect and an undefeated sense of caring and loyalty.
Stella is a social and dynamic teen who manages herself with pride and self confidence in the community. She insists that she is ‘not a girly girl’ but more of a tomboy and she likes to be respected for who and what she is. This young lady readily admits to being strong willed and stubborn about issues she does not agree with, but that is not surprising for a child who has had to take on a parenting role to help her siblings, a role she is now learning to relinquish to responsible adults. Stella presents as an average student in school. She gets on well with her peers and performs age appropriately in most areas of her development. Her school work is held back by extreme anxiety about tests and exams and there are plans for assessment to see if a mild learning disability is adding to this anxiety.
Stella’s wish for an adoptive family? “Living with my siblings in one home with people who care about all of us. Not having to be moved around anymore. A place I can go to and really call Home.”
Jake’s passions in life are motor cross, dirt bike riding and anything with an engine. This innovative and engaging boy excels in hands-on learning and mechanics. He is described as a likable, compassionate and intriguing child and has valuable insights into life that he willingly shares with others. He describes himself as being “‘usually happy”, also loyal to the people he cares about and generous to people he likes.
Perhaps more than his siblings, Jake has been affected by the lack of a positive parental role model in his early childhood. He relates well to male adults. He is cooperative, appropriate and has a positive outlook when with a strong male and female adult presence, as in his foster home. However, he has a difficult time developing appropriate relationships with women. He can be disrespectful and verbally aggressive with females, such has his school teachers, who are in a position of authority. Jake is also has a mild learning disability and sometimes resorts to disruptive behaviours to covers up his struggles with schoolwork. He has a modified program at school and is working with counsellors and mental health staff to overcome these challenges. He hopes for an adoptive home where he can feel welcomed and accepted , where he can share his feelings without being criticized, and where everybody works together and does things together.
Bright, expressive, playful, happy and sociable are words used to describe the youngest member of this trio. Jo is popular at school with her peers and teachers and is seen as “a joy to work with”. Due to her history, Jo has an understanding beyond her years of complex concepts and social situations and is valued for the wisdom she can contribute to conversations. She needs help modifying her dress and appearance to fit her chronological age but, apart from this, presents no behavioural challenges at home or school.
Jo’s interests include creative dancing, singing and participating in her school drama club. She is developing an interest in horseback riding and kickboxing. She sees herself as a person who “smiles a lot, is helpful to others, and is there for her friends”. Her ideal adoptive family will be one where she feels loved and where family members include her in decision making processes and are able to talk things through.
Despite their early history, these three siblings have not allowed their experiences to damage their caring personalities or spirit. They need a permanent family where they will feel safe, loved, and where respect and honesty is practised. Their adoptive parents should be knowledgeable about the effects of pre-natal exposure to drugs. Jake needs a strong male and female parental team who can provide a structured environment. Stella, Jake and Jo would fit well with active, middle aged parents who perhaps have other children and/or pets. Some openness with the children’s birth mother and grandmother would be beneficial.
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