Altamir - Special Needs Home
Altamir was born to a young 17 year old girl. Since she was a single mother, it was her father that registered Altamir two years later, so that Altamir would have a birth certificate. He was born not too far from the church that we started and which we are now back pastoring. Because Altamir was born both mute and deaf, his mother did not want him. She harmed him on several occasions, which in the end called the attention of the local authorities. Because the physical abuse was severe enough, he was not allowed back home.
The city had repeatedly tried to place him with us, but we knew that he needed special attention and could not simply be placed in any of our group homes. Each time that our assistant would be at the half way house, Altamir would wrap himself around his leg and want to go with him. In the end, he was taken in by one of our house mothers (Romilda) that only dealt with children that had special physical needs. Sérgio and Romilda are house parents of house #7.
Altamir is very smart even though he is deaf. He knows enough sign language to be able to comminucate simple things. He is attending a school for the deaf and he can write very well. He is also very strong for his age.
Update: Altamir stuck a nail in an electric outlet and got a terrific shock. When the house mother saw the nail in the plug she asked the boys who did it. Altamir showed through sign language how it bit him. It was quite funny seeing his reenactment. It has never happened since.
January 2007 Update: Altamir is 11 and in a special school. Altamir has improved greatly in his behaviour. He is more respectful at home and at school. He is very careful with his things. Since he got his hearing aids, he is less aggressive, way more calm and is learning to distinguish sounds and understand what they mean. He is obedient and loving. He has therapy with a speech therapist. He enjoys Sunday School.
Main Prayer Request: Altamir always asks to be baptized, but because he cannot speak, we do not know the level of his understanding or commitment to Christ. That Altamir would continue progressing in his hearing and speaking and be able to communicate his faith.
2008 Update: Altamir is eleven years old and in grade three at school. He is deaf and mute. We pray that ear surgery will help him to hear. He is taking phonology and seems to be grasping some words. At home he works to dry the dishes, sweep the patio and take care of his clothes. He likes to draw and is a very good artist. He is loving and sweet and his behaviour has improved a lot since ear surgery and he hopes to be able to hear and talk one day. He does not attend any of the groups at church but seems to pray in his own way. We think he is saved and he has asked to be baptized. However it is difficult to know if he is ready because he is unable to speak. He is interested in the Bible and is beginning to follow some words. Please pray that Altamir will succeed in being able to communicate. Pray that his hearing and ability to talk will develop.
2009 Update: Amazing things are happening in our off-campus special-needs home. When I spoke with their housemother, Romilda, I was very encouraged that despite the many challenges that his family has, it is able to overcome them by the spirit of unity and cooperation.
Altamir and Linda and Romilda function as an interdependent team and for this Romilda is most grateful to God. As you read, you will see that both Altamir and Linda are thriving in this situation
Altamir is starting to show signs that he can hear a little bit and now he doesn’t think that he needs hearing aids. Romilda recounts the story that he was in the bathroom and ran out of toilet paper. Desperate, he yelled out the Portuguese word for toilet paper and was understood and attended to. He also says hello and some other recognizable words that are well-formed and intentional. Surprisingly, he is very attentive in church and appears to be listening to every word. He really wants to get baptized. Also, both he and Linda pray before meals, going to bed and going on trips. The progress Altamir has made is astounding.
Altamir’s challenges right now are his coordination and becoming more independent and not needing help to cross the street. He also tends to be very forgetful which can be frustrating for everyone.
Please pray that God would continue to work in Altamir’s life and that he would be able to speak and communicate better and understand God’s word.
On a funny note, Altamir really wants to be grown up and shave. One day Romilda noticed that he was covering his face while he was eating – something that he has never done before. Upon closer inspection it was discovered that Altamir had shaved off all his eyebrows.
Birthday: November 30, 1996
Photo: Jul 2010