Reece's Rainbow Child of the Month: September 2010

Anya (12)
Girl, Born December 14, 2006

Anya is a pretty little girl with unique facial features. She was born with a minor defect of interventricular and interatrial septum. It is also possible she has a dual diagnosis of Moebius Syndrome.

www.faces-cranio.org/Disord/Moebius.htm

There is no blood test to confirm Moebius, so it is diagnosed on clinical symptoms such as a lack of facial expression and a uniquely shaped nose.

From a therapist who visited with her in June 2010: "

Anya is able to smile and giggle when tickled!! She can imitate 'arms up', 'clap hands' and 'tap head'! The Doctor reported to me that she is 'ONLY low Down's Syndrome no other syndrome'. I specifically asked about Moebius syndrome and she pulled out Anya's records, scanned them briefly and said no. I was also able to get her to walk using a Rifton Walker so she is capable of learning/progressing and WILL progress once in a loving family environment. I saw no autistic behaviors this year just a bored unstimulated beautiful little girl who loved being cuddled!!"

From an adoptive family who visited with her in September 2010: "I wanted to let you know that I have been able to spend a bit of time with Anya. I will send you pics and video of her when I get a chance, also Lyndi should have some good pics of her too.

Anya is smiling in the video :-) She can smile, sit up, crawl, pull herself up to a stand using the edge of the playpen. She can hear and see well enough to have heard me call her name and to immediately sit up and crawl over to the playpen gate and stand up. She cried when I could not pick her up. Another time, she sat up and climbed into my lap and clapped my hands together over and over. I do not think she is autistic and she does have facial expressions. She is definitely more involved than your average kid with Ds but she is a doll who is craving attention. Also, she is not aggressive... she did not bite me or pull my hair, or do anything like that. She needs a family bad. She spends most of her time lying on the floor, unengaged in anything. With therapy and love, she will blossom!!!"

I have $2184 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!