#2

Our case worker sent me an e-mail yesterday about a child. This time it was a 9 year old girl. This is her profile on the MA.RE site:


Shianne is a sweet and pleasant girl who is full of energy. She is friendly, engaging and can achieve a lot when she sets her mind to it. Shianne can be very vocal in her opinions and wise beyond her years in some matters. She likes to be outdoors but says, “I do not like to fish.” Shianne enjoys hanging out with older children. She likes ice cream, animals, staying up late, wrestling and taking naps.

Shianne has been diagnosed with epilepsy and needs to be monitored for any issues that should arise. She is working on establishing a consistent daily routine. Shianne is learning how to manage her feelings through constructive means. At times, she can have trouble staying focused on the task at hand causing her to act out negatively. Shianne admits to not being a big fan of school, especially math. However, she has been working hard and has made great progress in her studies during the school year.


Shianne relates best to female authority figures so a single parent family or a two parent family with an emotionally secure male would be best for Shianne. The family will need to be understanding and patient with Shianne as she has had a hectic past. Shianne will need a family who will provide her with a structured and a consistent home environment. The family will need to be firm with Shianne as she may test a potential adoptive family to make sure they will be committed to her. The adoptive family will need to help Shianne develop a consistent daily routine and continue her progress in her schoolwork. It is important that Shianne be allowed to maintain contact with her siblings as they are important relationships to her.


And this is what her CW had to say about her:

Shianne has had a hard life and is very independent as a result. She presents as sweet but requires a lot of supervision and structure, which she doesn't want. She will not be easy to handle at first as she can bevery direct and bossy. A family needs to be strong emotionally, determinate and see it though. I've had others back out when Shianne started to be defiant and test their commitment to her. I'm looking for a special family that has experience or at least is aware that it won't be easy. If you believe your family has the skills and emotional status required, please respond with why you believe they could be a goodmatch. E-mail and I'll note it when we review the home studies.


We bowed out on this girl. We don't feel qualified at this time to take on her on. We didn't think it would be fair to Shianne and it would be hard for us. I pray she will find a family soon who is qualified to parent her. I know that family is out there somewhere. We are trusting that when the right child for us comes along God will tell us!