JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Twenty-nine children are celebrating Halloween with their new families after Family Support Services\u2019 annual \u201cHome for Halloween\u201d adoption day at the Duval County Courthouse on Friday.<\/p>\n
For one 13-year-old boy, the adoption means he won\u2019t be moving hundreds of miles away to a nursing home.<\/p>\n
Daniel has level five cerebral palsy and needs care around the clock. His new mom, Scotesha Terry, is a pediatric nurse.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really, truly are an angel among us,\u201d said Judge Michael Kalil. <\/p>\n
Terry describes her new son as a boy with a big personality.<\/p>\n
\u201cDaniel has his own personality. He is so spoiled,\u201d Terry said. \u201cHe loves to watch his show, sometimes the same show, over and over all day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel weighed just 29 pounds when he was entrusted to the care of Wolfson Children\u2019s Hospital, where he spent more than a year recovering.<\/p>\n
Then, Terry happened to be talking with an adoption recruiter, who knew she was the perfect fit. Daniel\u2019s case manager said Terry showed up to their first meeting with three pages of questions about his medical history.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have never had somebody so prepared for this,\u201d the case manager told the court. \u201cYou have just like blown us all away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Terry says she\u2019s still advocating for him every day.<\/p>\n
\u201cA couple weeks ago, insurance almost cut his nursing hours down to 16,\u201d Terry said. She pushed back, and Daniel\u2019s 24-hour care was approved again.<\/p>\n
Terry is now a mom of four, and Daniel has a new little brother, 12-year-old Kingston.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy to not be the only boy in the house now and have someone to relate to,\u201d Kingston said.<\/p>\n
According to Family Support Services, 335 children in Duval and Nassau counties are still waiting to be adopted, and more than 100 of them are teenagers.<\/p>\n
Terry has a message for anyone considering adoption.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have the heart to do it and it\u2019s something that you really, really want to do, do it,\u201d she said. \u201cDon\u2019t look at the diagnosis. Look at the child. Every child deserves a home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacksonville City Council Member Chris Miller was also in the courtroom Friday, as the City of Jacksonville officially recognized November as National Adoption Month.<\/p>\n
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