Urgent need: Lincoln will age out soon and still needs a forever family

This, America World friends, is one of those times when we really need you to pull together and shout out for a precious, and wonderfully made little boy. Perhaps you remember Lincoln. We’ve been advocating for him for some time. But for some strange reason his family just has not seen him yet. With all our hearts we know there is a family out there, waiting to see his face. It’s time to act, it’s time to speak… because Lincoln will age out very soon. There is an extremely limited amount of time left for him to be matched with his forever family. Many people have come together to compile the information below, please read, pray and share. Today YOU can potentially make a huge difference in Lincoln’s future.

Lincoln is a talkative, outgoing, and creative 13-year-old boy! He can play the piano and loves being social with his friends. He seems to be right on track developmentally. We had a team meet Lincoln in October 2016 and they loved spending time with him! A team member shared: Lincoln” has kept us laughing nonstop!! He is funny and quick-witted, energetic, and very happy. They also noted that he is very sweet, eager to please, and he longs for a family. Lincoln lives in a foster family and attends school for the visually impaired. He is in 5th grade and loves to learn. He has been diagnosed with bilateral cataracts. Medical staff on the Hope Journey team who met him observed that he can see shadows and can identify light, but does need to be evaluated by an ophthalmologist. Because of his vision impairment, he does move more slowly in a new area but adapts well and is very high functioning. He is very easygoing and intelligent.

America World has access to pictures of Lincoln from previous years.
We love this picture from his 7th year! What a doll.

Several One Orphan team member have met and interacted with Lincoln, here’s what they had to share:

From Heather: I met the most amazing young man. He entered the room carrying his baritone horn case. He sat down in front of our team and a few of the foster families and commenced to perform a wonderful song on his instrument. It was obvious he had been practicing diligently for his anticipated performance for our team. He was quite pleased with himself as we applauded for him. In an impressive show of responsibility, he carefully put his horn away as the staff and his foster family told us a little about him….He loves music, goes to school, loves to learn, makes beaded jewelry, and he is very responsible and independent.
Later in the day, I had the privilege of sitting down for some one-on-one time with him. He was very talkative and outgoing, inquisitive, and very bright. His intellect and personality shine brightly. As we sat, we strung beads on to pipe cleaners and then onto string. He assured me that the task at hand was “very easy” for him- as I could plainly see for myself. It was very evident from our conversation that he desperately wants a family and that is where he could thrive. He then insisted I listen to him play a few songs on the keyboard in the next room. In another show of responsibility and self-sufficiency, he plugged the keyboard into the wall, removed the cloth cover, turned the keyboard on, and showed me how he knew several songs. I asked him where he learned to play, and was truly amazed when I discovered that he taught himself. His foster dad said that he will sing or hum a tune, then sit down to decipher the correct notes. He obviously enjoyed playing with the different settings on the keyboard and the sounds and rhythms it made. I sat there for quite some time listening and watching him play. I couldn’t help but think of the incredible potential this sweet child has because of his passion for music. He is a child who has determination and persistence. He has such a sweet and funny disposition and has one of the greatest laughs I have ever heard!
 
Oh, did I mention he has been blind since birth? I don’t think I have ever been more impressed than I am with this incredible young man. What an honor it has been to spend time with him! His story has only just begun…
 
From Kristi: Lincoln’ has kept us laughing nonstop!! He is funny and quick-witted, energetic, and very happy. In talking with our translator, ‘Lincoln’ has expressed his deep desire for a family. What a blessing he would be! Though he cannot see, he gets around without assistance. ‘Lincoln’ has excellent fine motor skills and enjoyed beading bracelet after bracelet today. He was one of the first children that we met….and we were honored to watch him play the baritone horn. Everyone in the room was moved by his perseverance and persistence. I am not sure I’ve ever encountered such ‘drive’ and motivation before. One moment he will play with one of us and have us in stitches and the next….he will sit down at the keyboard and begin to play a song. For a long while today, ‘Lincoln’ would find a balloon, laugh as he squeezed it, pull his lapel pin out of his jacket, and poke it into the balloon…to pop it! We would laugh and laugh, and every time he would get ready to pop the balloon, I would say, “Nooo! Uh oh!” What a kick he got out of that! I was laughing so hard I cried….and he was giggling equally as much! EVERY moment spent with “Lincoln” is pure joy!! We are praying a family will step forward for ‘Lincoln’ quickly, as he is twelve years old and will age out soon.

Lincoln’s file notes the following regarding his health and vision: 

Lincoln can see shadows, but no clarity; staff and caretakers state that he can identify light and less than one meter ahead; he has been evaluated by in-country eye specialist but was told that they would not preform surgery; communicates verbally, has good hygiene; overall health besides the visual impairment is good; he has age appropriate cognitive development. His caregivers note that he has the opportunity to have a new life if given the appropriate evaluation by ophthalmology.  If there proves to be surgical intervention that could correct his vision, an adoptive parent must be prepared to undergo all of the medical appointments and cost.  We, caregivers, have no major concerns regarding his adoption.  He has a wonderful sense of humor and is very intelligent.

 

There is a grant available for Lincoln’s adoption. His file is designated as Special Focus so a family at any stage of the adoption process is eligible to review his file. Please contact us at china@awaa.org for
more information or you can submit a free Pre-application online and note “Lincoln” and our staff will follow up with you.  There are many advocates waiting to share their firsthand experience regarding Lincoln,
they would be thrilled to speak to any families interested in making Lincoln their son.