Kemeatrous, and Keontae

Oregon Children

Brothers Kemeatrous and Keontae have already experienced a significant amount of trauma and loss in their short lives and are very deserving of a committed, consistent, and nurturing home. Despite their losses, they each have an optimistic, lively spirit and seem to very much want to belong to a family. These boys have happy, energetic dispositions and can find the fun wherever they are.

Kemeatrous is an active boy who is constantly on the move and involved in some type of activity. He likes being involved sports and has listed tetherball among his favorite games. He is easy to please and is just as happy playing on his own as being with a group of people. He seeks adult’s approval and needs a lot of emotional validation and encouragement from his foster parents and teachers. He’s an affectionate boy and loves to both give and receive physical affection.

Keontae is also busy and affectionate like his brother Kemeatrous. He’s flexible and easygoing and just assimilates into whatever group or situation happens to be around him. He is quite endearing and knows how to really turn on the charm when he wants something or when he’s trying to get himself out of trouble. Both brothers adore sports of all kinds and watch and play football, baseball, and soccer. They both participate on teams and follow certain professional teams closely with their foster dad. Keontae is also keen on animals. During a trip to the zoo Keontae lit up and remarked aloud how the animals were “fun to look at”. This pair is tightly bound to each other and with their older brothers. “We’re brothers and we always care about each other”, Kemeatrous says of the sibling relationship. “If one gets hurt… they would help us”. The importance of maintaining and encouraging the ties they have all established and fondly covet are of undeniable significance. They need each other as much as they need a safe and loving adoptive home. “When I’m sad,” says Keontae, “they make me feel better.”

Educationally, academics are a challenge for each of the brothers. They are behind their grade level to varying degrees and need a lot of encouragement from their foster parents to complete their homework and try to the best of their individual abilities. They each seem to enjoy being at school and are well liked by their teachers and peers. Kemeatrous and Keontae have strong ties to their older brothers and other and it will be important that their adoptive family will be understanding of their need to maintain relationships with their brother and their relatives, and will be close enough to allow some degree of ongoing contact.

Kemeatrous and Keontae are in critical need of a committed, consistent, and nurturing home. Despite their losses, they are a hopeful, endearing duo who just wants to belong to a family. The greatest challenge in parenting them is the fact that there are two of them and in making sure each boy gets the attention that he needs and deserves. They will need to continue participating in some type of therapy as they process their adoption and transition into their adoptive family. Most importantly, their adoptive family will need to have a clear, realistic understanding of what an adoption transition looks like for older children. They will need to be patient and compassionate with the boys as they move through their grieving and moving-on process, and will need to meet them exactly where they are at. Their family will need to commit to caring for the boys regardless of what challenges may arise knowing that a disrupted adoption for children these ages would be catastrophic for their ability to trust and attach to any future caregiver.