Posted 9:19 pm Sunday, July 22, 2012
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Outgoing Boy, Needs A Patient, Forever Family
It was a big day for 8-year-old Brayden visiting the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum in Tyler.
I asked him, "What are you excited about seeing today?"
He replies with a smile, "Airplanes!"
Brayden's favorite toy is an airplane, so seeing one in real life is exciting for him.
"Do you have a favorite kind of airplane?"
Without hesitation he says, "The yellow one."
Brayden is an outgoing and determined boy with a big heart.
"He can be very, very loving," said Kelly Whiddoa, his nurse.
Brayden has been diagnosed with a disorder that causes an inability to absorb nutrients through the intestines. As a result, he is fed through an IV but is working toward eating table food.
Despite limitations, Brayden is making lots of progress.
"He can identify his letters. He can identify his numbers and colors. He knows his shapes." Whiddoa goes on to say, "Hopefully this school year he'll be able to start school. I think Brayden will excel at school because he's very smart... and has excellent problem solving skills"
Although he has a limited vocabulary, communicating is not an issue.
"He can very plainly make his needs clear. He has no problem with that," said Whiddoa with a grin.
He's also making progress in his mobility. He is using his wheelchair less and is now able to stand.
"The doctors are hopeful and that is the plan to where he can walk by himself," adds Whiddoa.
On this day, he's flying high as he gets to sit in the cockpit of a real plane parked at the museum, pretending to be the pilot. He pulled and tugged on every button and lever he could get his hands on.
Brayden needs a patient family with lots of structure and consistency. They'll need to be committed to caring for him and meeting his medical needs, while providing constant affection and love.
To learn more about Brayden, join Gillian Sheridan for her "Children are a Gift" report, Tuesday night on CBS 19 Ten @ 10. You can also find information on CBS19.tv and tylerpaper.com. To inquire about an East Texas child waiting to be adopted call 903-533-4109.
