‘Look at the child’: Jacksonville nurse adopts 13-year-old with cerebral palsy on Halloween

Twenty-nine children are celebrating Halloween with their new families after Family Support Services’ annual “Home for Halloween” adoption day at the Duval County Courthouse on Friday.

For one 13-year-old boy, the adoption means he won’t be moving hundreds of miles away to a nursing home.

Daniel has level five cerebral palsy and needs care around the clock. His new mom, Scotesha Terry, is a pediatric nurse.

“You really, truly are an angel among us,” said Judge Michael Kalil.

Terry describes her new son as a boy with a big personality.

“Daniel has his own personality. He is so spoiled,” Terry said. “He loves to watch his show, sometimes the same show, over and over all day.”

Daniel weighed just 29 pounds when he was entrusted to the care of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, where he spent more than a year recovering.

Then, Terry happened to be talking with an adoption recruiter, who knew she was the perfect fit. Daniel’s case manager said Terry showed up to their first meeting with three pages of questions about his medical history.

“I have never had somebody so prepared for this,” the case manager told the court. “You have just like blown us all away.”

Terry says she’s still advocating for him every day.

“A couple weeks ago, insurance almost cut his nursing hours down to 16,” Terry said. She pushed back, and Daniel’s 24-hour care was approved again.

Terry is now a mom of four, and Daniel has a new little brother, 12-year-old Kingston.

“I’m happy to not be the only boy in the house now and have someone to relate to,” Kingston said.

According to Family Support Services, 335 children in Duval and Nassau counties are still waiting to be adopted, and more than 100 of them are teenagers.

Terry has a message for anyone considering adoption.

“If you have the heart to do it and it’s something that you really, really want to do, do it,” she said. “Don’t look at the diagnosis. Look at the child. Every child deserves a home.”

Jacksonville City Council Member Chris Miller was also in the courtroom Friday, as the City of Jacksonville officially recognized November as National Adoption Month.

To learn more about fostering or adopting, visit here.

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