Chase from European Union

Chase was born in June 2010 via C-section to a mother with syphilis. He had a difficult neonatal course and spent two months in the NICU. Chase has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy - spastic quadriparesis, significant cognitive delays, bilateral amaurosis, convergent strabismus, and several food allergies. He is described as a favorite child of the staff at the orphanage where he resides. Update June 2022: Our in-country team visited Chase and, sadly, found his condition deteriorating. After Chase started school in September 2021, he lost access to the rehabilitation center he had been attending and consequently is no longer receiving the therapies and interventions that he requires. Without rehabilitation support, Chase is losing skills, such as sitting and eating independently. Rehabilitation will resume at a reduced schedule over the summer, but during the school year Chase will attend classes in the mornings and nap at the group in the afternoons. Additionally, Chase has lost contact with his favorite caregiver upon her retirement at the end of 2021. This caregiver loved Chase so much that she wanted to become his foster parent, but due to her advanced age, this idea was abandoned. The loss of this connection caused Chase anxiety and resulted in some self-harm which has since resolved. Chase is described as a radiant child with a cheerful disposition and positive attitude. He uses approximately 20 spoken words very effectively to communicate his various needs and adequately responds when someone speaks to him. Chase loves to watch cartoons and laughs at the jokes of Tom and Jerry. He enjoys and seeks the company of others. Our in-country partners believe that he has a heart full of love waiting to be shared with a forever family. Early 2022: Chase continues to be in relatively good health and has not been hospitalized since Summer 2019. His development is very delayed. Chase cannot walk or stand, but navigates physical spaces by crawling, climbing, or using a wheelchair. He depends on adults for help with all tasks of daily living. Chase learns best through imitation and repetition, and despite a short attention span, he is curious and cooperative in a variety of activities. He follows simple instructions, speaks with a limited vocabulary, and uses non-verbal communication. Academically, Chase has acquired pre-school level skills, such as completing simple puzzles, receptively identifying items in his everyday environment and in books, stacking, stringing on a fixed support, and scribbling. Chase can easily get overstimulated by sensory input and may bite himself and others in such situations. He likes spending time outdoors and going for walks, playing in the ball pit, looking at books, and playing with certain toys. Routine and balanced sensory stimulation help him do well. Chase seems to be quite musical and sings familiar songs often. When introduced to a new melody, he hums along almost immediately and correctly. A calm child who smiles often, Chase likes being with other children and tries to learn from them. He seeks the attention of adults and enjoys close interactions. Chase has a friend who shows him extreme warmth and care in their relationship and Chase reciprocates with joy, smiles, eye contact, and vocalizations. Chase’s mother visits him and the social worker reports that Chase recognizes her and feels happy when they are together. 2020: Affectionate Chase shows interest in new things, readily exploring objects and toys. He engages with adults and children, delights in receiving attention and cuddles, and loves all types of group games. Though he primarily uses his left arm, he employs both arms to pull himself along the floor rapidly and can hold and manipulate toys with both hands. Chase builds low towers of blocks, uses a pincer grasp to draw with pencils, and does puzzles with assistance. He drinks from a cup independently, can hold a spoon with his left hand, and participates in dressing/undressing. Chase responds to his name and understands and follows simple verbal instructions. An impulsive boy who moves quickly from one thing to the next he is capable of remaining focused for up to 10 min when the activity is of interest to him. Chase vocalizes a number of single words as well as some phrases, repeats sound combinations and new words, and imitates the speech of others. He can now make independent statements about an event, using short phrases accompanied by gestures. Chase attends a center for specialized educational support each day where he works with a teacher and therapists. When frustrated Chase may show self-aggressive behaviors. He enjoys playing with cars and blocks, watching puppet shows, listening to children’s songs and stories, and playing ‘name the object’ games. Weight at Birth: 1.480 kg Height at Birth: 42 cm