Canyon Acres Children and Family Successes…

A Success Story of Canyon Acres Foster Care & Adoption Programs

Shane’s Story

It takes a special kind of couple to become foster parents. Terry and Dawn Peterson and their three children, now teenagers, are the kind of family that exemplifies the perfect foster family. For 11 years they have been content providing a loving and safe haven for children until they may be reunified with their family or adopted into a new family if necessary. Over the years, the Petersons have fostered 13 children, yet never felt compelled to adopt. That is until they met Shane.

September 15, 2006 was a rainy Friday night. The Petersons received a call from a social worker that there was a 9-day old baby being held in protective custody at Orangewood Children’s Home. From birth, the child’s mother had been deemed unable to care for her son and the child’s father was not allowed custody either due to a past sexual abuse allegation against him by his daughter. The Petersons were asked to foster the child and were given the option to pick up the child after the weekend so that they would have time to prepare. However, the Petersons decided an institution was no place for a baby to spend the weekend, and they made arrangements to gather Shane to their home that evening.

Shane has grown into an adorable 28-month-old boy. He enjoys an affectionate loving relationship with his caretakers. He speaks and smiles readily and has a happy disposition, and at times, can have a typical two-year-old melt down. However, unlike typical two year olds, Shane has been diagnosed with a genetically transferred debilitating disease that both his birth mother and a sibling share. Eventually he will be wheelchair bound and his heart and lungs will need to be closely monitored continuously. Research indicates that there is a likelihood of developing scoliosis and learning disorders and he has a very shortened life expectancy of only living to his mid-twenties.

Shane’s diagnosis was confirmed while in the care of the Petersons, and soon after, he began participating in a specialized clinical program at CHOC which necessitated a new schedule for the family filled with many doctor appointments. Shane attends occupational and physical therapy twice a week through California Children’s Services and receives speech therapy twice a week through the Regional Center in Orange.

On July 14, 2008 parental rights for both of Shane’s biological parents were terminated. He would not be able to reunite with them. Dawn and Terry were given the option to adopt Shane. At the time, they were preparing for Terry’s retirement but, surprisingly, because of their commitment and bonding to Shane, they agreed to adopt him. They wanted to adopt Shane because of his disease and special medical needs. They had a deep desire to provide Shane with love and acceptance as well as the stability and continuity of medical attention he would need.

Today, clinicians report that although Shane is developmentally one year behind his age group, he is making great strides in therapy and learning to speak. Dawn reports that Shane is motivated and eager to learn more words. He is ambulatory and enjoys climbing, running and investigating his surroundings. He is not prescribed any medications.

Although Shane will require life-long assistance, the Petersons will be there to support him every step of the way. We are happy to report that the adoption will be finalized early this year. Amazingly, despite his disease and uncertain future, Shane has had only one placement as a dependant, and this placement is now his permanent-forever home thanks to a very special family and the caring staff of Canyon Acres.