In Los Angeles County, a remarkable foster dad named Ali Carter has made it his mission to care for terminally ill children. For over 20 years, Ali has opened his heart and home to more than ten children, ensuring they spend their final days enveloped in love. With 35,000 children in L.A. County’s foster care system, around 6,000 require specialized medical attention, according to the L.A. Times.
“When we hear of a child needing hospice care, Ali is the first person we think of,” remarked Laura Jensen, an intake coordinator at the Department of Children and Family Services. “He’s the only one willing to take in a child with such a challenging diagnosis.” Most other children in similar situations are placed in medical facilities or paired with nurses-turned-foster parents.
Caring for Mia
Currently, Ali is caring for a 6-year-old girl named Mia, who has encephalocele, a rare brain malformation that has left her blind, deaf, and paralyzed in her limbs. Despite her challenges, Ali believes in the importance of communication, saying, “I talk to her even though she can’t see or hear. She has a soul; she’s a human being.” He has been fostering Mia since she was just a month old and has previously cared for three other children with the same condition. “For them, it’s a life sentence,” he explained.
At 62 years old, the Libyan-born Muslim has limited outings, mostly to church or hospital appointments. However, they recently celebrated Mia’s sixth birthday with a lovely cheesecake and candles, where she donned a beautiful red dress. “Yay! You are 6! 6! 6!” Ali cheered joyfully.
A Journey of Love and Loss
Ali came to the United States as a college student in 1978, and it was his wife, Sarah, who encouraged him to become a foster parent. They opened their home to sick children in 1989 and have been doing so ever since. The couple faced heart-wrenching moments, including the loss of their first foster child in 1991, a girl with a spinal disorder who didn’t reach her first birthday. “The pain from her passing was immense,” he said, showing reporters a cherished photo of her.
In the mid-1990s, Ali and Sarah decided to focus exclusively on terminally ill children because other families were unwilling to take them in. They welcomed their biological son, Noah, in 1997. Diagnosed with brittle bone disease and dwarfism, Noah has always been a source of pride for Ali. “That’s how God made him,” Ali stated. Now 19, Noah loves his foster sister deeply. “Nobody should have to endure so much pain,” he shared.
Resilience in the Face of Tragedy
Sadly, Sarah fell ill in 2000, which led to a strained marriage, and they separated in 2013. She passed away about a year later. Despite these tragedies, Ali’s resolve to provide love and care to children in need remains unwavering. “You have to love them as your own,” he shared. “I know they are sick and that they will die, but I do my best and leave everything else to God.”
Further Reading
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In summary, Ali Carter’s dedication to fostering terminally ill children is truly inspiring. Despite the heartache and challenges, he continues to provide a loving home for those who need it most.