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This Foster Dad Welcomes Only Terminally Ill Children
In a heartwarming tale from Los Angeles County, one devoted foster dad, Alex Rivera, has made it his mission to provide love and care to terminally ill children. For over twenty years, Alex has opened his home to more than ten children, ensuring they spend their final days enveloped in compassion and warmth.
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services oversees around 35,000 kids, with about 6,000 requiring Medical Case Management Services for severe medical conditions, as noted by the L.A. Times. “When we hear of a child needing hospice care, there’s only one name that pops into our heads,” said Sarah Johnson, an intake coordinator. “Alex is the one person we trust to take in a child who may not survive.”
Current Foster Child: Mia
Currently, Alex is caring for a 6-year-old girl named Mia, who suffers from encephalocele, a rare brain malformation that has left her blind, deaf, and paralyzed. “I talk to her all the time, even if she can’t hear or see,” Alex shared. “She has a soul, and that matters.” He has been her foster dad since she was just a month old, having also cared for three other kids with the same condition. “For them, it’s like a life sentence,” he remarked.
At 62, this Libyan-born Muslim rarely leaves his home, spending most of his time focused on Mia’s medical needs. However, they recently celebrated her sixth birthday with cheesecake and candles, where Alex joyfully cheered, “You’re 6! 6! 6!” Mia donned a beautiful red dress, making the occasion special.
A Journey of Love and Loss
Alex arrived in the U.S. in 1978 as a college student and met a remarkable woman named Emma, who inspired him to become a foster parent. The couple began fostering sick children in 1989, but tragedy struck when they lost their first foster child to a spinal disorder before her first birthday. “Her death hit me hard,” Alex recalled, showing reporters a cherished photo of her. In the mid-1990s, they decided to focus solely on terminally ill children after finding that other families were unwilling to do so.
In 1997, they welcomed their only biological son, Leo, who was born with brittle bone disease and dwarfism. Alex has always embraced Leo’s differences, saying, “That’s how God made him.” Now 19, Leo also loves his foster sister and expressed, “No one should have to endure so much suffering.” Alex even crafted a custom skateboard for Leo, using a small ironing board, so he could navigate the house easily.
Commitment to Helping Children
Although Alex faced personal challenges, including the illness of his wife Emma in 2000 and their eventual separation in 2013, he remains steadfast in his commitment to helping children in need. “You have to love them like your own,” he said. “I know they’re sick, I know they’re going to die, but I do my best and leave the rest to God.”
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Conclusion
In summary, Alex Rivera exemplifies the power of love and compassion in the face of life’s greatest challenges. His unwavering dedication to terminally ill children serves as an inspiration for us all.