The Heart Needs No Words: The Adoption Story of a Teen With Cancer

Starting at the age of 11, Ivan bounced between residential treatment centers, psychiatric facilities, and group homes in Alaska and Montana. A childhood of abuse, neglect, and abandonment had taken its toll on him. Just before his 15th birthday, when life seemed it could not get any worse, Ivan was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Alone in the world and now facing the fight of his life he was moved to yet another state for cancer treatment. With the help of his caseworker he was reunited with his older brother, whom he had not seen in many years. After finishing a year of cancer treatment, Ivan was again separated from his brother and sent to a new foster home. Emotionally shut down and nearly nonverbal, Ivan entered this new home. Despite the hopelessness of his life, a young man emerged who was not the broken, disturbed child he was portrayed by the records to be. A teen with a zest for life and love to share was waiting for a chance to belong.

Cindy Locke began working with children as a rehabilitation nurse at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Seeing many children go through the hospital with little or no family support compelled her to become a foster parent. Along with her husband Lenny, Cindy has been a foster parent for over 25 years. Together they have parented more than 30 foster children, many with disabilities, and life threatening medical conditions. She is the mother of three adopted and three biological children. Cindy continues to do foster care along with volunteering at Safe Place, a 72 hour shelter for children removed in emergency situations