Gwen is an adorable and enthusiastic little girl, born in May of 2012. And when she smiles, she has the cutest dimples ever!

Gwen gets along well with other children and plays well with them too. She shares her food and toys with her friends. She likes to play with blocks and balls and she can make a tower of eight blocks. Gwen focuses intently when she plays and she likes to look at books. Though she can’t read, she will turn the pages carefully and focus on the pictures in the book.

Gwen is afraid of plush toys and if other children play with them near her, she will get her caretaker and point her finger at the toys and make scared sounds. Gwen’s caregivers say that her motor skills are not delayed, but they do also note that she isn’t very skilled at feeding herself with a spoon and is somewhat slow so, though she is capable of feeding herself, usually the nannies will do it for her.

Gwen has strabismus in both eyes and moderate to severe hearing loss. She has not learned sign language. She doesn’t understand spoken instructions and isn’t able to speak due to her hearing loss, but she is able to understand some basic commands through simple hand gestures and she carefully observes facial expressions.

Gwen is also diagnosed with multiple heart defects. She has received surgery for her ASD, VSD, and on her tricuspid valve in October of 2012. Gwen loves people and loves being hugged and held.

Gwen has seen a number of families come and go with their children… we hope it will soon be her turn!

Videos from a family who adopted one of Gwen’s best buddies can be seen here and here.

There is a $500 agency grant for Gwen’s adoption with Madison Adoption Associates. Other grants may be available based on the adoptive family’s circumstances. Agency grants are awarded as agency fee reductions. MAA also partners with the Brittany’s Hope Foundation for matching grants, which are given out twice a year January and July) and to families that are officially matched with a child.

Gwen needs a family with an approved home study to be able to hold her file or move forward with adopting her. If you have an approved home study or a home study in process and are interested in adopting Gwen, please fill out a free PAP Waiting Child Review Form.