Sponsoring a child with disabilities is a wonderful way to address unmet needs while also opening the door to opportunities that lay the foundation for their future. That’s what The Delia Foundation is all about — inclusion and providing opportunities for kids who are marginalized due to their disabilities.
Madalina and Stefi are friends, which is especially amazing for Madalina as she has no other opportunities to make friends outside of Delia’s Center for Special Needs Kids. Neither girl has much language, and each is a different personality, yet they forged a bond.
Stefi had a hard blow when her foster mother became ill and couldn’t take care of her anymore. She got a new foster mother and it was horrible for her at first. Stefi has very thick hair, and it is long. Her first foster mother tied it up in elaborate braids or ponytails, and Stefi’s hair was her “signature.” The new foster mother cut Stefi’s hair to her shoulder and instead of ribbons and bows and braids, Stefi was wearing headbands. It was as if Stefi had lost her identity in addition to her mom. She was heartbroken in every way even though she didn’t have the words to express it. Child Protection Services believes that a child and foster parent shouldn't become attached and therefore provided no support. Your donation would help pay for:
-Additional sessions of speech therapy focused on information processing skills to assist with cognitive development and learning
Madalina has unique needs where your donation would make a big difference. She has Turners Syndrome combined with autism. We would love to improve her nutritional status to help improve her overall health. Caring for a non-verbal pre-teen with a medical condition is stressful for her foster mother. A big concern is that mom is reaching retirement. Next year, Madalina is at-risk of getting a new mom or placed in an institution. With this in mind, interventions for Madalina also relieve mom's stress .
Your monthly donation would help us pay for:
-Food for Madalina to take home so that we can improve her overall health. -
Transportation to medical appointments -
Additional sessions of speech and language therapy —in addition to 1:1 sessions give a group session so she has more opportunities for direct interaction with other kids since she doesn’t go to school -
Provide respite care when needed. A few times year, Madalina is left in the care of others, including one of our team members for a month. Mostly, Madalina is left at an orphanage.
We would like to pay for a consistent caregiver, in a home. -Provide at-home items: weighted blanket, fidgets, games -Provide counseling to prepare Madalina for losing her mom and to guide her and her new mom.
Thank you for all of your support & love for our girls! - Laura, Lauren & The Delia Foundation team