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Wednesday's Child: 9-Year-Old Stephen

BOSTON (CBS) - Stephen is a happy, playful Caucasian boy who is seeking an adoptive family who can spend quality time with him. He loves to play with LEGOS and other games, and could spend hours entertaining himself playing alone or in a small group. He also loves to engage any willing adults to participate in his play. Stephen loves being active, going to the park, going swimming and being outside. When he grows up, he says that he wants to be a boxer or wrestler and currently is interested in taking karate lessons.

Stephen, 9, has a mild intellectual disability. He enjoys attending school and is eager to learn. He works with an Individualized Education Plan and does well academically with frequent breaks and knowing the daily routine. Stephen does not have any major behavioral issues in school or at his residential program. He has some difficulty maintaining focus on his school work, but he is making progress learning to manage his tasks and his play time. Stephen's teacher describes him as a creative, sensitive boy who is generous with both peers and adults. He will often spend long periods of time building something extravagant only to gift it to someone upon completion.

Legally free for adoption, Stephen describes his ideal family as a mom and a dad who love him. He says he loves people who are nice to him. He has said that he would like a dad to take him bowling, and a mom who cooks well and likes to play video games. He would like a dog that he can play Frisbee with. Stephen would do well as the only or youngest child in a family, potentially with teenage siblings. He will do well with any type of family constellation, as long as they can provide a structured and predictable routine. Stephen will need a caregiver that can be consistent with rules and expectations, but also be flexible when appropriate. Stephen will need a family that is open to two visits and two pictures/letters per year with his biological mother and sisters. With a caring and fun-loving approach and patience from a family, Stephen is sure to thrive and reach his full potential.

To learn more about Stephen, and about adoption from foster care, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) at 617-54-ADOPT (617-542-3678) or visit www.MAREinc.org.

The sooner you call, the sooner a waiting child will have "a permanent place to call HOME."

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