Teacher Decides To Adopt Student With Kidney Ailment After Boy Is Rejected By Foster Homes

Jun 05, 2019 by apost team

Many educators routinely go above and beyond the call of duty in their efforts to make sure the children they teach receive the best experience possible. One of these teachers in Aurora, Colorado recently took this concept to a completely different level. 

Many educators routinely go above and beyond the call of duty in their efforts to make sure the children they teach receive the best experience possible. One of these teachers in Aurora, Colorado recently took this concept to a completely different level. 

Finn Landing is a seventh and eighth-grade math teacher at AXL Academy. When Finn found one of his students was in need of more than just help with fractions, he stepped up to the plate and addressed the student's need. Finn told Liftable by The Western Journal that the small school and tight-knit community creates an atmosphere where teachers develop close relationships with students and their families.

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Damien is a thirteen-year-old student at the Academy who was born with a kidney disorder. The seventh-grader also spent time in the foster care system. Damien needs a new kidney but is not a candidate to receive one unless he has a stable environment where he can receive constant care.

This is where his math teacher stepped in. 

Finn explained he knew that Damien missed some time at school and had to take medication daily. He says he also observed on several occasions the student could not eat some of the things eaten by the other children. Finn commended the young boy for always having a positive attitude despite his problems. 

Finn explained the local government tried to find a place for Damien. He went on to say a number of foster families inquired about him only to get cold feet when they learned of his health issues:

“The county would attempt to find placements for him, and multiple potential foster homes showed up for the first day or two of his medical training, only to realize the extent of his needs and back out,” Lanning told Liftable.

Finn knew that caring for the teen on a daily basis would not be an easy chore. He would need training just to administer the nightly dialysis administration Finn would need. The care received by the thirteen-year-old includes a restricted diet, injections, oral medications, and a considerable amount of travel for medical appointments.

It took some doing but Finn was able to gain guardianship of Damien through a process known as uncertified kinship care. The formal adoption of the teen is pending. 

Damien is more than happy with his new life. He says in the foster care system he was sent from house to house and usually had all his possessions in one bag. He says it feels good to have a room of his own and a permanent place to live. 

You can watch their story in the video below:

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