Run Danny Run (Chap. 1)

CHAPTER ONE

Child for Adoption

Name-                                     Danny 

Born-                                       December

Racial Origin-             English-Irish

Religion-                      Protestant

Legal Status-               Crown Ward - at age 2.5

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Danny is a handsome six-year-old boy. He has light brown hair and fair complexion. He is fine boned and fine featured and slightly small for his age.

About a year ago Danny returned to our Agency after an adoption breakdown. During his adoption probation Danny developed allergies. Since his return he has had no symptoms and treatment has been discontinued. A recent medical shows Danny to be in excellent physical health.

Danny has above average ability. He does very well in school and is now in Grade 1. Some behavior problems with Danny have been experienced. He demands a great deal of attention and goes to great lengths to gain it. If allowed to he will manipulate the situation in order to meet his own needs. He must be given consistent discipline. It is important that Danny knows the limits of a situation and that the situation be well defined for him.         

In his present foster home he speaks of the parents as Uncle and Aunt, of his former adoption probation parents as "My Mom and Dad, the Williams." His memory of his natural family seems to have faded. Danny is happy, and friendly, an outgoing, active child. He appears healthy and normal in all respects. He is a delight to be with and certainly could be a rewarding son in a family where he would be the youngest or only child.

Prepared by Mr. Dean Johnston

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Danny 's biggest problem at age five is his relationship to people. He relates quickly to people and first charms then rejects them later. It's believed to be a combination of factors involved:

            a) Predisposition possibly due to brain dysfunction and learning trouble.

            b) Early deprivation and numerous changes of mother figures and a present subtle secondary rejection of the child. Danny is felt not to be an "adoptable child."

Report by W. McNeely M.D.

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At age six Danny is a dominant, aggressive, and manipulative youngster constitutionally. He has better than average intelligence. His subsequent behavior supports the hypothesis of a youngster who may well be resisting maturation so that he can cling to the immediate gratification and primary narcissism of infancy. Directional deprivation and over indulgence could well be the cause of this youngster's present "emotional disorder." I think he could be on a sociopath collision course. He requires firm parents who insist on Danny accepting the consequences for his free choices.

Report by S. T. Landry M.D., C.P.C.P. (C.), F.A.A.P.

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Larry and Anne Reynolds had looked with jealous eyes at the wonderful array of olden-day structures, totally unaffordable to them. They finally settled on a modest two story, three bedroom vinyl with a small backyard, but convenient for the children.

The 400-acre Victoria Park, named in honor of Queen Victoria, was across the road.

Night settled uneventfully at the Reynolds home. Their house was the first one on Rosewyn Place, a quiet street rising steeply across the front of four other homes. A solitary streetlamp shone brightly onto their driveway. It provided a clear path of illumination, highlighting their street adjacent to Victoria Park.

            Information brochures identified the total park size as 1,000 acres of space, although only 400 were actually used by the public. Several sets of swings, an outside activity gym, and slide were well used. In addition a wonderful new community pool along with an outdoor splash site for younger children encouraged families to gather there.

Remaining acreage was occupied by a refreshments building, washrooms, an outdoor theatre, Truro's reservoir and water filtration plant.

            Also, a series of trails with colorful signage allowed hikers to walk distances of one to five kilometers, from one corner of the park to the other. These exercise opportunities gave hikers an excellent view of various heights of land through a Boardwalk crisscrossing a stream with two scenic waterfalls.   

            At this time of night, a forest of trees provided darker silhouettes above the walking area. Everything was in a state of rest, cloaked in a blanket of darkness. That is, except for a streetlamp, attracting a variety of flying insects.

            Inside the house, two adults, two children and a cat, perhaps even Susan's doll dreamed of something special happening tomorrow. As Larry and Anne had expressed to each of their children at bedtime, "Go to sleep now, because tomorrow may bring a pleasant surprise." 

            Little did they know tomorrow's journey was destined to change their lives, for a very long time.

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In a remote corner at the London, Ontario Children’s Aid office, an old gray filing cabinet held the early Social and Medical History of a boy named Danny.           

Detailed statistics highlighted the miracle of a child called Danny, brought into the world. Birth Facts, Lab Work, Medical, Dental, Illnesses, Immunizations, and Allergies were all carefully recorded. There was nothing unusual to report about the physical condition of this 6lb. 10 oz. child.

That is, except for information regarding Allergies and other details about his health:

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ALLERGIES

From approximately age 3 yr and 5 months to age 5 Danny was being treated for allergies. This began at the time Danny was placed on adoption. He developed an upper respiratory condition. This became progressively worse and was diagnosed as whooping cough. In the months that followed Danny seemed to have one cold after another and was constantly wheezing, congested and itching.

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The problem was diagnosed as allergies. It was felt Danny was allergic to many things in the environment such as animals, house dust etc. Danny began treatments of desensitization shots and antihistamines. Danny 's allergies improved steadily with treatment over the time period. Upon returning to the London area Danny was getting treatments on a weekly basis. This was cut back to every two weeks and then on a monthly basis. At almost the age of six allergy treatments were discontinued completely and it was felt the allergies had disappeared.

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It is debatable whether Danny's allergy reactions were emotional or physical, as his adoption placement was unsatisfactory. As his condition developed immediately after placement it is felt it could have been an emotional reaction. At the time Danny's treatments were discontinued the doctor did indicate that allergies sometimes lasted for two years and then disappeared, therefore, there could be a physical basis for his allergies.                                                                           

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When Danny was seven, he was called that “fair haired, blue-eyed boy who’s more like a bouncing ball. His world was full of fun.

            It seems as if long legs and bony knees were held together with scrapes and bruises. But he sure could run. He loved his foster mom, and sometimes his foster sister, too.

            But he especially loved his foster dad, "Johnny."

            Danny wanted to play all the time. He didn't want to think about chores. And why does everyone yell at him?

            If only he could do pal things, like fishing with...his foster dad.

            But all Johnny seems to do is, work.

            "Too busy, can't do it today...maybe next week. One day, you'll see. We'll get together then." It was almost like a song.

            Everyone seems to like Danny. Playing ball, running races even arm-wrestling kept him occupied. Some girls said he was cute looking.

            Danny came home a little sad one day. His friends were talking about a special Cub fishing trip his pack was planning. He wanted Johnny to come along with the other fathers but he was too busy. His foster dad never got to see how good Danny could fish.

"One day I know we’ll go fishing," he said, repeating his wish over and over. "Johnny will take me. I know he will."

            When summer arrived, Danny went fishing with friends. The rest of the time he climbed trees in the park. He did other 'neat' things, even playing Nintendo at his friend's house.

            His foster mom always made excuses for his foster dad when he came home late from work. The pat on Danny's head and the mushy hug was nice. But it wasn't enough. He wished Johnny could be his real dad. 

            Friday night Johnny phoned from work. "I have a surprise for you,” he said. “Let's go fishing." It was like a dream come true.

            "Just you and I," said the voice on the other side of the line. 

As Danny got off the phone, he couldn't believe the news. He ran around the house, skipping and shouting and making lots of noise.

            Saturday was great fishing along the riverbank. They didn't catch any fish, but who cared? Danny was with his foster dad and he was glad.

            But then, a tragic thing happened. Johnny died suddenly and his foster mother moved away. Danny was left behind, again.