Inquisitive and energetic, Melissa, 11, brings much love and laughter to her current foster home. She enjoys the outdoors and has a special fondness for animals, especially birds.

Melissa’s foster parents describe her greatest strength as a strong desire to achieve. Once she undertakes a task, Melissa will use all of her ability to figure out a way to accomplish it.

Whether it means learning how to walk the wrong way up a slide or reading a book, once a task becomes a goal, Melissa persists at it.

Melissa has begun to make friends and is learning to relate and play with others. She enjoys playing word games and takes great delight when she can figure out how to spell a word or figure out the multiple meanings of a word.

Teachers who work with Melissa describe her as personable and engaging.

Melissa is severely developmentally and cognitively delayed, and will need a family that has experience working with behaviorally challenged children. A family should be prepared to provide support and guidance to Melissa far into adulthood.

Subsidy may be available to an adoptive family. Further information may be obtained from Randi McKechnie, adoption caseworker, Department of Human Services, 13 Prescott Drive, Machias 04654. The telephone numbers are (207) 255-2070 or, toll-free (800) 432-7846.

Another contact is A Family for Me at (877) 505-0545.