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/.

Tyeral

Age: 12

"Hi, I'm Tyeral or Ty. I want to live in a safe family with my sister. We play cops and robbers together and she lets me be the cop. And I be nice to her, too. We have pets in my foster home and I be good to them. I want a black Chihuahua someday and I would name him Raven. I will play with him and feed him and be nice to him.

When I grow up I want to be an FBI agent. I would have handcuffs and a flashlight. If I stopped someone and they were bad people and wouldn't be nice, I would use my black handcuffs. And I could handcuff myself. Hey what if I lost the key? Then what would I do?

My favorite thing today was seeing my sister--and playing with a police dog. The dog likes chasing a ball and that is how you reward him for catching a bad guy. I got to sit in a police car and turn on the lights and the sirens. Whoa! They were loud and there was no volume control!"

Ty is a tall, lanky redheaded boy with striking blue eyes, light freckles and a ready smile. His therapeutic foster parents report he is an active, curious and pleasant boy who tries hard to follow rules. He has not had any serious behaviors in their home. With supervision, he plays gently with the family's pets. They recognize that cognitively he is younger than his age and can be very impulsive. They and his teachers have tapped into his interest in exploring and direct it towards constructive activities. "A busy boy is a happy boy" applies here. They realize he needs the supervision and protection of a younger child. One thing is right on target for a 12 year-old boy, though; he doesn't mind getting dirty, but cleaning up is no fun!

Ty asks lots of questions and wants to tell folks what he is thinking. If you spend a day with Ty you might discover that hamburgers are tasty with BBQ sauce, why cops sometimes have to taze bad guys, and if you want friends you have to be nice. Ty likes school, play dates with his siblings, watching Lorax and Cars 2 and playing games with his sister.

Ty's feelings of grief and loss sometimes overwhelm him. He responds well to adults who give lots of encouragement and notice the things he does well. He certainly deserves parent(s) who understand children that come from hard places. When they see behaviors like negative self-talk, sadness, or acting out, they know they are tied to emotions. Understanding how to heal trauma by choosing helpful rather than reactionary responses will help Ty know he is brave and strong and surrounded by people who will always keep him safe.

Ty is doing well in school. He needs allies who will work with IEP (individual education program) and treatment teams, as well as accessing services within the community. He may need prompting to take his medications and to perform daily hygiene tasks. He needs role models who can show him how to make and keep friends. He speaks at a normal rate, but his words sometimes come out in an order or pronunciation that can, at times, be difficult to understand.

Ty's one or two parent family could help him through developmental therapy for functional academics. With the right folks who are dedicated to his progress and delight in who he is right now, Ty will come to know what a marvelous boy he is! And that will make all the difference in his life.

If you have love, patience and experience to spare, Ty would love to be reunited with his sister Josie. They are now living in separate foster families. The adoption team supports him in that adoption desire. The children are listed separately at this time, until a determination can be made if one family rather than two could provide for each child's needs. If you could welcome both children into your family, please call the Idaho CareLine immediately and share your current home study with the adoption team.

Portrait by Barb from Barb Bergeson Studio Gallery

To find out more about Tyeral, adoption or becoming a foster parent, email the Idaho CareLine (Please include your zip code and city.) or call 1-800-926-2588. You may be asked to provide this reference number: 30518.

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