Wednesday's Child - Marina

(WTNH) - 13-year-old Marina likes to be treated special. She let us tag along to Beautiful People Salon and Spa in Cromwell, where she recently got a full service manicure.

But there's another kind of Special that's not for her. Marina was born with Cerebral Palsey, so she does need some assistance with daily tasks. But she wants you and I to see her and treat her like any other child.

"She's very independent, and even though she may wear leg braces, she will ski, she will horse back ride, she goes snowboarding, she wants to do everything a normal kid would do," DCF social worker Nikki Willis said.

And when she falls, Nikki says she gets right back up.

Okay, that's her tougher side. But there's another side to her -- the girl at the spa.

"She loves to get her nails done, she's very girly girl, she likes to go shopping," Willis said. "She loves to listen to music, she loves to sing, so when we're in the car together, we're always singing together. (laughs)"

I tried to get her to sing, but we didn't have time to go for a ride in the car.

Her social workers have no doubt Marina would flourish in a two parent family, especially if she were the youngest sibling. And she'd really like a pet.

"I like dogs," she said. "I like dogs."
"What about cats? Do you like cats?"
"Yes I do."

Marina has experienced significant loss in her life but Willis says she has incredible resilience, and with the patience and love of a family her best days could still be yet to come.

If you're interested in adopting Marina or learning more about becoming a foster parent contact the Connecticut Department of Children and Families or call 800-842-6348.