Marla #

Marla was born with a congenital cleft of hard and soft palate, which was surgically corrected at 8 months of age. She has strabismus, which is being corrected with glasses. Her report states, “Atactic cerebral palsy – under discussion”. She is now walking short distances. Her report also states, “An initial diagnosis of moderate mental retardation is not confirmed.”

Marla has made tremendous progress, according to her foster mother. From the foster mother, “Marla distinguishes familiar from unfamiliar people, but is no longer afraid of unfamiliar people. She allows the people who take care of her to hug her; she gives a kiss with her hand to those she likes. She has started to communicate with other children and share her toys with them. However, in general, she is distrustful – she carefully examines every person and everything she does not know. She takes independent steps, stands upright, sits steadily, walks holding hands for a longer time. She is afraid of cars. She loves dogs.”