Ella, born in April of 2012, is described as the happiest girl at the orphanage. Diagnosed with delays and an abnormal CT scan, she has updated photos, videos and information that paint a picture of how very well she is doing now.
Someone who has met and spent a lot of time with Ella over the years shared their thoughts about her:
Ella’s name fits as you can see from her photos. She is beautiful. She loves to be held and puts her arms up as soon as I walk in the room. And as much as her name sounds dainty, she is a chunky monkey! And honestly, she will go to anyone who will just love on her. She is adored by everyone. She has the best cheeks for kissing, and is willing to let you kiss all over them..and her belly and anything else you are willing to love on. Her belly laughs are contagious.
In the summer of 2016, I watched her have seizures. I can already tell such a difference since then. They said she is on new medicine and I guess it is working. Praise God! We asked Shaylyn, an older girl in the orphanage pictured with her in her collage, who is the happiest child at the orphanage. She didn’t even have to think before saying ELLA! She said she always smiles and even during a seizure she is happy.
Shaylyn loves Ella. She said sometimes Ella sleepwalks and climbs in her bed. I don’t think that bothers her one bit. She is like a little mama to her and she wants me to see all the cuteness that is Ella too! I love Ella. Everybody loves Ella! I don’t understand epilepsy or seizures or the effects of all that, but I do understand that this sweet girl needs a family to love her through life. She is going to bless the hearts of whoever has her, no matter what her medical file says.
Ella has really improved over the years, but she does have delays because of the seizures and/or medication. She mimics and is full of joy, but does have significant language delays and seems younger than her age.
According to Ella’s file, she came into care at the approximate age of two. Her birth family had left medical records indicating that she had epilepsy. She had no seizures for awhile after coming into care, but she did eventually have some when she got a cold or was in poor physical condition. The seizures would happen over a period of 5-6 days and last for 2-3 minutes each. She was taken to the doctor and prescribed oxcarbazepine, 1/2 tablet for each seizure, vitamin B, one tablet each time, and a magnesium Valproate Sustained Release Tablet, 1/2 tablet each time.
She is a good eater and sleeper. Ella loves to be loved on. She wants to be held and to hold her caretakers hands. She also loves playing in and with water. She can say mama and she can imitate the caretaker’s simple words and when counting. She knows what number comes after 1 and what number comes after 3.
She can feed herself, but does need some assistance with toileting. Ella can follow simple instructions and she likes playing with other kids and scribbling with water color pens. Ella likes being pretty. She really likes to wear beautiful clothes and comb her hair.
Since being on medication, she has had no epileptic seizures for a long time. As long as she stays healthy and is not sick, her epilepsy is well managed. Ella’s file officially diagnoses her as having delays and a CT scan showed dysplasia of white matter in the brain – all other areas were normal.
New videos of Ella can be seen here:
Ella 1
Ella 2
Written update from November 29, 2018:
1.How is her mental ability compared to peers of the same age?
Behind
2. How does the special need affect her health?
She catches colds easily. Once she catches a cold, she will have seizures and looks sick. She needs to rest for a long time.
3. Is she potty trained?
Yes, but sometimes she needs to be reminded.
4. Please describe her personality in details.
She is quiet, easygoing, and a cute little girl.
5. Is she well behaved and obedient?
She is well behaved and obedient.
6. How are her gross motor skills? Can she walk, run, jump, or walk upstairs and downstairs by herself? Can she kick a ball? Can she pick up a ball? Any limited functions?
She can walk, run, jump, and go upstairs and downstairs. No limitations.
7. How are her fine motor skills? Can she draw or scribble on paper? Can she pick up little things with her fingers?
She can scribble, draw, and can pick up tiny objects. No limitations.
8. Is she in any kind of school? If so, what school? Can she catch up in school?
She is receiving pre-school in the orphanage.
9. How is her emotional development? Is the child attached to anyone? Who is she close to? Does she care for other people?
She is bonded to familiar caretakers and to her teachers. She is easygoing and obedient.
10. How are her social skills? Does she get along well with other children and adults?
She can get along well with others.
11. Is she under foster care or living in the orphanage?
She lives in the orphanage.
12. Updated Measurements:
Height:108 cm
Head circ: 49 cm
Chest circ: 54.5 cm
Foot length: 17 cm
Weight: 17.5 kg
Number of teeth: 12 on top and 12 on bottom
13. How is the language ability of the child? What can she say? Can she speak one word, two words or sentences? Can she express her needs well? Is her language ability the same as peers of the same age?
Her language is very delayed compared to peers of the same age. She can only say two characters each time, like “mama,” “ayi,” or “gege.” She can follow the teachers to count numbers. She cannot express herself well.
14. Can the child follow directions of adults? One step, two steps, or three steps?
She can understand simple directions, like going somewhere, come here, take the water cup here, etc.
15. Is the child on any medication?
She is on anti epilepsy medicine: 1. Magnesium Valproate Sustained Release Tablets 2. Oxcarbazepine Tablets, one pill per day, one time a day.
16. What is the daily schedule of the child?
7:00 get up
8:00 breakfast
12:00 lunch
6:00 dinner
15:00-16:30 pre school
21:00 go to bed
17. What does the child eat? Can she feed herself? Does the child eat with chopsticks, a spoon, or a bottle?
She eats noodles and buns for breakfast. She eats rice, meat, and vegetables for dinner. She can feed herself with chopsticks and a spoon.
18. Does the child know any English?
No
19. Does the child want to be adopted? Does the child understand what adoption means?
She does not understand.
20. What color does the child like?
No preference
21. What activity does the child like to do?
She likes playing with other children, running, biking, and patting the balls.
22. What is the favorite toy of the child?
Balls
Ella is from a former Madison partnership orphanage. There is a $1,000 agency grant for Ella’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.
If you are interested in reviewing Ella’s file or in adopting Ella, please fill out a free PAP Waiting Child Review Form, which can be found here.
I would take her in a second. She is absolutely adorable. I know there are a lot of hoops to jump through, and don’t know if its possible. If God be willing. He will make a way ❤ We have three children of our own. 15 a boy, 14, and 10 are both girls.
We were very excited to see Ella’s profile. We are wanting to adopt. I have been Friends with Diana Bramble. Please let me know if there is anything else we need to do to be considered “Ready” to adopt .
Thank you Dyan Lapointe
Ella is beautiful & adorable young girl. Loved her videos. She’s a real gem who is going to bring her forever family much happiness & joy!