re: Spin Off: Would you adopt a special needs kid?

A single friend who is well off (and in her fifties at the time) decided she wanted to foster high school aged girls, prepare them for college, and then pay all of their college expenses. Like God, Social Services laughs at your dreams.

It took several years of bureaucracy and training before she was finally eligible to be a foster mother, and the first child they asked her to foster was a special needs infant (remember, she wanted high school aged girls).

Before she knew it, there was a second young girl they wanted her to foster and then a third special needs infant.

She never got what she wanted, but instead, has a beautiful, healthy family. The first baby had been left in a car seat for most of her babyhood while the mother did crack. She was behind developmentally, and her head and neck were out of line from staying in the same position. It is amazing what medical care and the love of a new mother can do! She is beautiful and healthy and very smart and is about 10 now (adopted by my friend). Second foster daughter is also thriving and healthy and is in high school now. Third foster daughter had neurological problems and was adopted by my friend's sister! She, too, was able to overcome the dire predictions for her future, and with great medical care and a loving home, is also thriving and doing well.

The family has money and is eccentric and unique, so I know not every story has such a good ending.

I know. tl;dr