Fostering
We need families
Rebecca
Rebecca is a 6 year old girl. She is described as being a rewarding child to care for. She is very loving and is making good progress within the foster home. Rebecca has a brilliant sense of humour and people seem to warm very quickly to her. She loves to be hugged though picks her favourite people to have a hug with depending on her mood of the day!
Rebecca can play alone but would rather play with others. She has a range of appropriate and sensory toys and enjoys feeling, playing with or listening to the sounds of toys. She has some self care skills but is limited due to her visual impairment.
Rebecca is described as having a strong personality. She has a good routine and any behaviours can be managed, though there are times when Rebecca can scream for some time.
Health
Rebecca is visually impaired and is registered blind due to Optic Nerve Hypoplasia. This is the under development of the optic nerve during pregnancy. When the optic nerve fibres die as the child develops in utero, optic nerve hypoplasia becomes more severe. It may occur in one eye but more commonly in both eyes. Optic nerve hypoplasia is not regressive. It is not inherited and cannot be cured. It is one of the 3 most common causes of visual impairment in children. There is no known cause of this condition in most cases although infrequently it is associated with maternal diabetes, maternal alcohol abuse, maternal use of anti epileptic drugs and the maternal age of 20 years or less.
Previous investigations have suggested that she might have partial deficiency of growth hormones, but there is no evidence of this at this time as her height has been increasing satisfactorily.
Rebecca has a poor sleep pattern and takes Melatonin to settle her to sleep. She takes Movicol for constipation.
Her speech and language is delayed and is supported within school.
Rebecca likes to sing and dance, to swim, play the keyboard, to go to soft play, bathtime and to splash in puddles! She does not like loud noises or visits to the dentist. She likes to feel the wind and rain on her face. She responds best in one to one situations or in a small group where she will join in positively and interact well.
Rebecca will bring lots of pleasure to a family.
Rebecca needs an adoptive family who will provide consistency, patience and encouragement to assist her to reach her full potential. She needs a stable and nurturing family environment, where Rebecca's blindness and the associated risks are understood but where she is encouraged to enjoy as much freedom and exploration as would be safely possible.
Children's names have been changed
More information
Maddy Reed
South Tyneside Adoption Service
16 Barrington Street
South Shields
Tyne & Wear
NE33 1AN
Phone: 0191 423 8500
Fax: 0191 423 8510
Email: madeline.reed@southtyneside.gov.uk
