A Child is Waiting: Fun-Loving Isaieh Shares Laughs, Ideas, and Empathy

By Honey Murray for MediaNews Group

“One of my favorite things about Isaieh you notice right away is that he is a social butterfly,” says his worker as she talks about this very special sixteen-year-old. “He can talk to anyone and make a friend, and he wants to make sure everyone around him is having a good time.

“He is so empathetic, always checking in with people he’s connected to and asking how they’re doing. He will always ask about your day before he talks about his.”

Isaieh loves making people laugh.

“I used to make videos,” Isaieh shares, “and I’d like to make them again. I love finding funny videos and showing them to my friends – and watching ‘try not to laugh’ shows. I always lose! And I love Garfield. He’s funny. He is very funny.”

Isaieh also loves collecting things – all sorts of things.

“When I see him,” his worker says, “he always goes straight to what he collects: beanie babies, old pennies and coins, trinkets, Pokémon cards, ‘cool stuff.’ Everyone at school sends him home with stuff they think he’ll like, and he continues to add to his collection.”

“I like collecting things about the topics that interest me,” Isaieh says, “and I know a lot about them.”

“Another special thing about Isaieh is his resilience,” says his worker. “In spite of his neuro-developmental challenges, he is moving up grade levels in school. He tries to do well and to improve in everything he does. He loves school and will continue to grow and move forward.”

Outside of school, Isaieh participates daily in a trades program to prepare him for the time when he can get a job and will be able to have some independence. He is proud of the everyday tasks that he is able to complete by himself.

“I love to cook,” he says. “I can make macaroni and cheese and SpaghettiOs. You know: the SpaghettiOs in the can!”

His worker shares that a forever family that will be the best fit for Isaieh will be one that enjoys being hands-on and involved with his care and attention.

“Isaieh will thrive in a healthy, structured home and do best when he is kept busy with fun activities. Show interest in his hobbies, and you will be his best friend! He wants to feel accepted and be an integral part of a family who loves him for who he is.”

Isaieh has expressed that being adopted by a forever family would make him feel like he belongs someplace special.

“I (would be) excited to be able to say that I have been adopted and knowing that someone has taken the time to love and care for me. I want to be able to play games with my family and go out and do things that are fun...”

Isaieh would love to be adopted by a family with a dog.

“I am an animal person,” he states. “I like cats and dogs.”

His worker says, “Isaieh loves animals! When we were talking about a dog shelter recently he said, ‘Oh! Dogs in a shelter...just like me!’ Isaieh has so much love to give – to a dog and especially to a forever family. He is quite remarkable. We who know him are so confident that there is a family out there who will love him the way he needs to be loved – and they will gain a family member who is kind, loving, and full of positivity and fun.”

For more information about adoption, fostering, or mentoring, please contact Orchard’s Children’s Services at 855.694.7301.