Nelson is an active, polite and personable teenager who enjoys many activities. His favorite thing to do is skateboard, and he is very good at it. He can do a few tricks and likes to try new things on his board.

Nelson is very good at telling people how he feels. He will try not to be rude while expressing his wants, needs and feelings. He admits this has been a hard skill to learn, but the adults who know Nelson say he is working very hard toward that goal and is gaining success at it.

Nelson, born in 1992, attends a full day of day treatment for his schooling. He does well at school and says, “It is OK” when asked if he likes school. He enjoys social studies the most and is learning about the 50 states.

He says he would like to visit Arkansas because he has a friend who lives there and there are lots of skateboard parks.

Nelson is also learning to play the guitar. He likes to play classic rock songs by bands like KISS and Led Zeppelin. He also is teaching some other children to play the songs he has already learned. He has been playing the guitar for just a few months, but it is already one of his favorite pastimes.

Aside from skateboarding, Nelson likes to play football and baseball. He is trying to learn more about both sports and would like to play for a school team.

The best family for Nelson would be one that would support him in his interests and provide him with unconditional love. Nelson will do well with clear limits and boundaries to make him feel safe.

Nelson is one of 144 children in the care of the state Department of Health and Human Services seeking an adoptive family.

Based in Gardiner, A Family for ME is a nonprofit program that works in collaboration with DHHS to find foster and adoptive families for Maine children in care.

For information about Nelson or other children available for adoption, contact A Family for ME toll free at 877-505-0545 or visit www.AFamilyForMe.org and see the Heart Gallery of photographs of some of the many children awaiting a forever family.