Age 11

Brian has overcome more obstacles in his 11 years than most adults can imagine. His trauma began early on, when he endured abuse, neglect and abandonment by his birth family and others. Yet, through it all, he continued to want to trust. Brian wants to bond with others and he does. He is attached to his birth siblings and current foster care providers, as well as friends he's made along the way. He'd like to maintain those contacts, and have some kind of contact with his birth father, if at all possible..

He's been in the foster care system since his 7th birthday, and though he wants to keep those connections in his life, he also wants a forever family of his own. If given one wish, Brian says he would like to do his life all over again. Only this time, his family would be good. He knows the difference between wishing and real life. He tried adoption before, in January 2008, but it only lasted two weeks. Brian says he wasn't ready, it was too far away and his adoptive parents weren't ready for him. He's willing to try again, but this time he'd like to have some say. A longer, well planned transition from his foster home to his adoptive home would greatly benefit Brian, as he processes things slowly and quietly.

He appears quite serious, but readily shows his empathy toward others. His contemplative look soon gives way to a cute, dimpled smile and his sweet-natured temperament. You want to give him a big hug, but it takes a little time for Brian to feel comfortable with strangers. The trauma Brian experienced impacted several areas of his life, but through consistent support and advocacy of his foster mother, along with counseling, social skill building and academic assistance he has made great strides behaviorally, socially and academically. Brian independently walks 1/2 mile to and from school with his good friend Max. He can be counted on for being cooperative and behaving himself at home and in school. He regularly attends his after school homework club, but most enjoys skateboarding with friends.

Brian wants his prospective adoptive family to know that he's ''shy sometimes and doesn't like to always participate in big crowds. I just don't talk in big crowds,'' he says. Brian is learning to speak for himself, but that is new territory and he needs reassurance that his voice matters and that the adults in his life are safe to share his feeling with. Besides skateboarding, he loves to camp and fish and enjoys swimming in pools that aren't too deep. He loves to eat out, but isn't that big on movies, unless it's scary, and while he likes to play a little football and shoot some hoops, he hasn't been involved in team sports and he hates watching sports on TV. Brian takes no medication, except for seasonal allergies.

He loves to eat almost everything but his favorite food is bread, any and all kinds, except raisin bread. Brian says he loves math and doing the times tables, and he'd like to get better at the other subjects, but needs someone to teach him who has the time and patience for him to learn. Brian needs dedicated, kind and committed parents, who are willing to learn about post traumatic stress syndrome and how to help Brian deal with the life he was given.

Brian needs experienced parents who have some knowledge of PTSD, or a willingness to learn not only how trauma affects children, but how trauma affected Brian, in particular. He would like a mother and a father, and one or two siblings, his age or older, but no more than 2 kids and no little ones. He really wants a big brother or sister who will pay attention to him and spend time with him. He is easily influenced by others, but not bullied. His peers generally like him, though he does quietly compete for attention from adults. He is great with animals, but doesn't really seek them out. He'd like to go to church again and doesn't care which denomination, as long as it's Christian. Brian says he'd like a family that's not too serious all the time; a family that likes to have fun.

Brian needs consistency with time and space to process. He does not do well with yelling or long lectures and will zone out and appear to not hear what is being said. He enjoys computers but needs clear boundaries and limits set. It may take some time, but with patience, Brian would be a devoted and loving son, grandson and brother to the right family..