Adoptive parent ready for ‘bright’ Christmas

IT’S Minh’s first Christmas in Ireland and what he is most looking forward to is being wrapped up in his new family’s loving arms.

He is five years old now, but he looks less than half his age.

Minh, who has Down Syndrome, spent most of his life in a Vietnamese orphanage where he spent his days lying in a cot or sitting in a baby walker tied to the cot.

Last February, his new adoptive parent, Sarah Finucane, a clinical psychologist, brought him home to Ireland.

Ms Finucane, 30, first met Minh, which means “bright” in Vietnamese, in December 2003 when she worked as a volunteer in a centre for malnourished orphans in Ho Chi Minh City. There were about 40 children at the centre and some like Minh, abandoned by his natural parents at birth, — had special needs.

Ms Finucane never planned to adopt a child. She had intended doing voluntary work for five months before heading home.

“As far as I am concerned I felt he was mine when I first met him three years ago. He is challenging but he makes me very happy.”

Minh has made huge progress since coming to Ireland, which is mainly due to Ms Finucane’s dogged determination to improve his quality of life as much as possible.

Shortly after arriving in Dublin, Minh had a cataract removed from his left eye that restored his sight.

His right eye was damaged beyond repair in the orphanage just over a year ago, but Ms Finucane has no idea how it happened.

Early next year he will have grommets fitted in his ears, a procedure that is expected to improve his hearing and minimise ear infections.

Minh has been attending St Michael’s House Developmental Day Centre in Raheny, Dublin, five mornings a week since last October.

“He’s progressed amazingly since coming to Ireland with me and he is so much happier. Even staff at his school are surprised by how much he’s advanced,” said Ms Finucane.

Minh is now much steadier on his feet but still needs to hold on to something with one hand or rest his shoulder against something.

Ms Finucane is confident that he will eventually be able to walk by himself.

“No one says so officially, but I know he will be,” she said.

Minh’s memory capacity has also improved greatly and he is picking up lots of words to make himself understood. Asked if he was aware of all the build-up to Christmas, Ms Finucane said he loved going into town and soaking up the festive atmosphere.

Minh was a bit doubtful, however, when he had his first face-to-face meeting with Santa Claus recently.

“He was put on his lap and tried to run away. We have quite a funny picture of the occasion,” she said.

But, despite his visit to Santa being a bit scary, the big man in the red suit has promised to bring Minh a push-around car in his favourite colour — hot pink.