Editor's Note: Window on the Clearwater has joined the Wednesday's Child network to help spread the word about children that are waiting for families to give them the loving care that they need. Each Wednesday we will profile a different child. For more information about Wednesday's Child and how you can be involved check the web site at: http://www.idahowednesdayschild.org/.

Matthew

Age: 14

"My name is Matthew, but my friends call me Matt. I'd like you to know something about me. I have a good imagination, and that's gotten me through the rough spots in my life. I like Math and Social Studies, but I don't like Writing. I like to play my Game Boy, especially baseball, Tony Hawk and air fighter jets. I want to be a Hollywood stunt man. After high school, I'd like to go to pilot classes. Someday I'd like to retire from the Air Force and continue to work as a pilot. A family could support my dreams by encouraging me as I earn my college degrees.

"You probably should know that I can be a little hyper sometimes, but it helps when adults talk to me and prompt me to calm down. I do well with time out in my room and consequences like doing extra chores.

"I have a grandma and a grandpa, and I'd like to visit them sometimes. I also want to live in a family that has two parents that are caring, giving and loving. I could be an only child or I could have brothers or sisters, as long as there's no hitting or cursing.

"I would like to go camping, hiking and fishing with my family. I like all sorts of things like riding bikes and go-carts or going to an aquarium, Disneyland or on a cruise. Maybe even flying in a helicopter. I would like to go to Hawaii someday. But more important to me than traveling the world is having clean parents who love and keep their children safe."

Matt has imagined his life course right through to retirement. That imagination has seen him through daunting physical and emotional traumas. Fortunately, Matt has the intelligence, fortitude and spirit to overcome, especially if he is given the right environment. He would do well in a family where he is an only child or with older brothers or sisters as mentors. Families who can access professional counseling services and are willing to work towards emotional healing will be preferred by this teenager's adoption team.

Matt needs a mom and/or a dad with the vision to see beyond past and present challenges and imagine sitting proudly through his graduation from the Air Force Academy. If you have that vision as well as above average parenting skills , please call the Idaho CareLine and ask to be connected directly with Matt's caseworker.

To find out more about Matthew, call the Idaho CareLine number, 1-800-926-2588. In Idaho you can dial 2-1-1. You may be asked to provide this reference number: 30176.

Portraits by Moffett Photography

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