Foster parents Jerome and Theresa Howard are currently celebrating the adoption of their two medically fragile foster children.
“When Deshawn was born, he was only two pounds and three ounces,” says both parents Jerome and Theresa. “So, just imagine how delayed he was compared to a typical infant. We were worried, but our doctors kept saying to give it time. We helped and supported him with physical and occupational therapy. We wondered if he was ever going to talk. And then, one day, when he was 2-1/2 years old, he looked right at us and said ‘mommy’ plain as day. We cheered, and I think we scared him. That was a strong moment in our lives. All he needed was love and support.”
Drug abuse among pregnant women is on the rise, causing more premature births and behavioral and cognitive problems in exposed children. After giving birth at a county hospital, if a mother and/or her baby test positive for illicit drugs, the infant is placed into child protective custody and enters into the foster care system. These little innocent newborns are often fighting for their lives with undeveloped organs, as well as fighting drug withdrawal. They desperately need families that can provide love and support to help them make drastic improvements.
To address this need, programs such as OhioGuidestone’s Medically Fragile Foster Care finds these children, along with other children who have disorders, illnesses or delays due to abuse or medical neglect, a loving home.
“Medically fragile children need specialized services, medications, shots, physical therapy, assistance doing small tasks that you and I can do so easily, or even mechanical devices to help them eat or breath,” says Debora Gault, OhioGuidestone’s director of foster care. “Our foster parents are one of a kind, and continually make miracles happen. We are fortunate to have them and support them with knowledgeable staff and nurses, as well as extensive training.”
Learn about helping medically fragile children and supporting the program, contact Debora Gault at 440-260-8367 or [email protected].
