Editor's Note: Window on the Clearwater recently 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/.

Eddie

Age: almost 3

Although most of this toddler's motility involves crawling and assisted walking, Eddie has covered lots of ground in the past year. He is closing gaps to developmental milestones that once seemed improbable. Born with microcephaly, each of Eddie's victories has been achieved through multiple therapies and a lot of hard work for his foster mom. He now needs an adoptive parent who will build on those hard-won successes.

Through speech, developmental and physical therapies, Eddie has learned many new skills. He can chew and swallow soft foods, which has opened an exciting new world of soft finger foods! He loves home-cooked meals such as macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and pureed vegetables and meat.

Simple pleasures abound in Eddie's world. His favorite fine motor skill therapy is to drop colored Popsicle sticks into a water bottle as the color is named. He has begun naming his favorite color, purple, as it drops into the bottle. Eddie likes playing outside, making sounds and playing with his toys-especially trucks. His delighted response to different sounds is a tummy-shaking volley of giggles that gets everyone around him laughing. He can say "ball" and "block" and is sure to develop other words when he sees the excitement this brings. Like most toddlers, he also loves to bang pots and pans and splash in the tub with his rubber ducks.

Eddie's adoption team is looking for loving adoptive parents who are realistic about the adaptive skills he will need at home, in school and in the community in order to address significant cognitive impairment and developmental delays. Eddie might also benefit from some form of mediated openness with his teenage mom, who has voluntarily relinquished her parenting rights. She loves Eddie but realizes his needs are beyond her own cognitive challenges and capabilities.

Through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Eddie is entitled to early intervention, special education and related services. He is also eligible for SSI and State subsidy payments. Please call the Idaho CareLine if you have the special skills and love this delightful toddler deserves. You could make such a difference in his life!

Edward is available for adoption through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. For contact information, please contact Idaho CareLine at 1-800-926-2588. Please mention reference number 30194.

Photos by Moffett

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