In a heartfelt dedication to compassion and care, a foster dad from Los Angeles County has made it his mission to support terminally ill children. Samir Al-Mansour, who has been fostering for over 20 years, has provided love and comfort to more than ten children during their final days. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services oversees around 35,000 children, with 6,000 requiring Medical Case Management Services for severe health issues, as reported by the L.A. Times.
“If we get a call saying a child needs hospice care, there’s only one name that comes to mind,” said Laura Benson, an intake coordinator at DCFS. “Samir is the only one who is willing to take in a child who may not survive.” Most other children with such critical needs are placed in medical facilities or with nurses turned foster parents.
Currently, Samir cares for a 6-year-old girl named Layla, who suffers from encephalocele, a rare and severe brain malformation. Blind and deaf, Layla is paralyzed in her limbs and experiences daily seizures. “I know she can’t hear or see, but I always talk to her,” Samir shared. “She has feelings, a soul. She’s a human being.” Since Layla was just a month old, Samir has been her devoted caregiver, having previously fostered three other children with the same condition. “For these kids, it’s a life sentence,” he remarked.
At 62, this devoted foster dad rarely leaves his home except for church and hospital visits. Despite the challenges, he made sure to celebrate Layla’s sixth birthday with a joyful gathering, complete with cheesecake and candles—she wore a lovely red dress and matching socks for the special occasion. “Yay!” he cheered. “You are 6! 6! 6!”
Samir arrived in the United States as a college student in 1978, where he met his wife, Aisha. Inspired by her, they began fostering sick children in 1989 and never looked back. Their journey was marked by heartache, including the loss of their first foster child in 1991, who passed away due to a spinal disorder before reaching her first birthday. “Losing her hurt me deeply,” he said, showing reporters a cherished photo of the little girl.
In the mid-1990s, the couple decided to focus solely on terminally ill children, as many other foster families were unwilling to take them in. In 1997, they welcomed their biological son, Noah, who was born with brittle bone disease and dwarfism. Samir embraced Noah’s differences, saying, “That’s how God created him.” Noah, now 19 and weighing about 65 pounds, has a special bond with his foster siblings. “I love my sister,” he said about Layla. “Nobody should have to go through so much pain.” Samir even crafted a custom skateboard for Noah using a small ironing board to help him navigate their home.
Despite the emotional challenges and the illness that plagued his wife Aisha, who suffered from severe seizures until their separation in 2013, Samir’s dedication to caring for vulnerable children remains unwavering. “You have to love them as your own,” he reflected. “I know they are sick. I know they are going to die. I do my best as a human and leave the rest to God.”
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Summary
Samir Al-Mansour, a dedicated foster dad in Los Angeles County, has spent over 20 years caring for terminally ill children. He currently fosters a 6-year-old girl named Layla, who suffers from encephalocele. Samir’s journey as a foster parent began in 1989 with his wife, Aisha, and has been marked by both love and loss. Despite the challenges, Samir remains steadfast in his commitment to providing comfort and care to those in need.