By Honey Murray

“Marcus truly has a radiant smile,” one of his workers says, “and when he smiles at you, it will brighten your day.

He has an innocent, carefree zest for life that is magnetic. I cannot stress enough that everyone who meets Marcus falls in love with him!”

Though Marcus has Downs syndrome and is mainly non-verbal, he is a great communicator.

“It wouldn’t take a family long to get to know his gestures,” says his worker. “Everyone he is with ‘gets’ him. He is fun and kind — and 95-99% of the time he is very happy. The other workers tell me, ‘He’s always helping. You’ve got a great kid there.’”

Marcus enjoys school, where he is liked by everyone. His teacher says, “If you know Marcus, you love Marcus.”

After school, Marcus prefers to be outdoors. He has a full-sized tricycle that he rides as often as he can. He also enjoys going for walks, leading the way as he explores the natural world around him or smiling his great smile as he waves a streamer in the breeze or rolls down a grassy hill.

When he can’t be outdoors, Marcus loves to go for car rides or go out to dinner. He also enjoys using his computer tablet.

“If you turn his tablet on for him, he can find anything he wants,” his worker says. “He loves watching Perry Mason, Lucille Ball and Judge Judy.”

His worker shares that Marcus needs a forever family willing to be dedicated to him and his care from now into adulthood.

“He would do best as an only child or the youngest child so that he gets the attention and supervision he needs, but he could do well with other children, too. His new parents would also need to make sure he continues to receive the support services he requires to function at his best,” his worker says.

“Marcus would thrive with a patient and understanding forever family. And the family would be getting a special kid who is one-in-a million. There’s only one Marcus!”

For more information about adoption, fostering or mentoring, contact Orchards Children’s Services at 855-694-7301.