RAMON (9/99) and NYLA (3/03) are adorable siblings of Native American heritage who are counting on being adopted together. The children have shown resiliency through their relationship with each other and their ability to maintain their loving, affectionate personalities. While a Native American family is ideal, the children’s Tribe has approved adoption to a non-native family with the stipulation that ties to the Tribe and a great grandmother will be respected and maintained. The great grandmother has been nurturing, protective presence in the lives of Ramon and Nyla; they visit and sometimes attend church with her. The children identify with their heritage and want to maintain their connection to their Native American culture. Legally free, Ramon and Nyla came into foster care in November 2005.

Ramon is a handsome 11-year old with dark brown hair, beautiful dark brown eyes, and a dark complexion. With his athletic talents, Ramon enjoys every sport. He's into wrestling, running, swimming, basketball, football, and baseball. He enjoys digging newts and making houses for them, and playing tag with his sister. He has a huge interest in following stories of starving kids and animal right's. He watches Animal Planet every chance he gets. Ramon wants to be a jockey and wants to be able to drink coffee to stunt his growth.

Six-year old Nyla is a cutie with reddish medium brown hair, blue green eyes, and a sprinkle of freckles. Although this girly-girl likes to dress up and enjoys putting outfits together, she has fun playing outdoors and enjoys camping, swimming, and running. She’s Hannah Montana fan who likes TV and dancing. While Nyla can be a bit of a drama queen, she loves to cuddle and has a wonderful sense of fun and humor.

Healthy and developmentally on track, Nyla and Ramon do well in school and make friends easily. Both kids have good manners. They love to eat anything in sight, including lots of fruits and vegetables and are used to home-cooked, healthy meals. Ramon especially loves Mac & Cheese. Nyla loves candy and earns it as a reward for good behavior. Although they play well together, they get competitive and argumentative with each other, too. Structured activities, earned rewards, positive reinforcement, and praise all help them stay on track. Time out, redirection, and loss of privileges are used primarily to stop argumentative or controlling behavior in the moment. Nyla is more apt to talk about her feelings, while Ramon goes through phases where he talks and then shuts down. They both struggle with trying to control others and their environment. At times they can be critical of others, but Ramon is usually very protective of his sister.

Ramon and Nyla have made great strides in dealing with their past trauma and feelings of grief and loss. They do, however, continue to need support and guidance on the home front and through therapeutic supports in talking about their feelings of hurt, anger, and confusion. The children also need help in strengthening their boundaries.

It will be important for Ramon and Nyla to have kind, patient, nurturing folks who will help them with their feelings of grief and loss, and who will allow Ramon the time he will need to form new attachments. Consistency will be a key in helping the children feel safe and secure. They benefit greatly from having parents who set rules and stick to them, and who take an active interest in outdoor activities and sports. The children would do best in a home where they are the youngest children by a few years. Ramon, in particular needs a strong, healthy male role model to actively participate in sports and other activities with him.


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