Still looking for these little kids parents. Little Alexsey is running very short on time and Miss Becky is not far behind him. Please, if you are adopting or know someone who is, think about these kids. I feel urged to present them again one more time in 2008. They are both just under five I think and are little sweethearts that deserve so much more than a mental institution.
For more info on them please click on thier labels, 'Becky' and 'Alexsey', even the label 'thekids' will bring you to them. Thanks.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Mattea Olena
Hi everyone.
There is a family adopting a little girl from Ukraine who has some pretty serious heart problems. They have gone to visit her, and as a result of things out of thier control have had to come back using the money they were saving to pick her up on thier secondary trip over. [required in Ukraine adoptions]
That said, they are a bit short on funding to go and get this precious little girl. For her picture please visit here One Interesting Journey and maybe donate if you can. If not, please keep little Mattea in your prayers. Thanx.
There is a family adopting a little girl from Ukraine who has some pretty serious heart problems. They have gone to visit her, and as a result of things out of thier control have had to come back using the money they were saving to pick her up on thier secondary trip over. [required in Ukraine adoptions]
That said, they are a bit short on funding to go and get this precious little girl. For her picture please visit here One Interesting Journey and maybe donate if you can. If not, please keep little Mattea in your prayers. Thanx.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
" No Unwanted Children..."
Merry Christmas Little Angels, Wherever you are.
Please visit Reece's Rainbow to inquire about any of these children.
A Christmas Miracle for Alexsey:
There is no time to make up names or cut corners in this post. Meet Alexsey, who is waiting in a Ukrainian Orphanage for his forever home. Other bloggers have posted about him as well, some whom have met him in person and some whom have not. They say he is very sweet, active and happy, talkative, cognitively able and loves having his picture taken, I mean - look the eyes we have going on in this shot. Isn't he adorable.
However, Alexsey does have spina bifida, which qualifies him as having a special need. In just two months Alexsey will turn four. And while most children will be having parties and cake and opening presents, little Alexsey will be facing institutionalization. Stories are heard and videos can be seen of people languishing in some of these places, hungry and cold, with little to eat, some with rags for clothing and people are often tied to beds - children, adults and elderly alike.
Some of these people, now senior citizens, have probably been there since around age four.
For Alexsey's Christmas Miracle lets find him a home. What he needs is a mom and dad. Singles cannot adopt. Please, visit www.reecesrainbow.com and ask Andrea -the woman in charge there- about little Alexsey today.
If you cannot adopt him yourself, as I can't, per their rules and restrictions. Please save his picture and post about him on your blog.
Together we can all make a difference and find this little boy's family this year.
You will have to scroll down, down, down but for stories of special needs kids visit the buttons in the right side of my bar: "Emma's Hope" is a good place to start to see how much promise these children have. Also in My Bloglist: "Ukrainian Adoption Journey" and of Course - "Bring Mary Home;" Mary Darina McConnell -previously known as 'Hope' on this blog. I have had the honor of following her adoption story. Thank you to her beautiful family for that privilege.
Do not believe the horror stories.
Lets bring all these kids home.
Take care everyone.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Guess Who this is??
This, everyone, is Mary, and her Mom and Dad. She is the little girl formerly known as 'Hope' on this blog, whom it is dedicated to and whom it is inspired by. Follow the label 'hope' to learn a bit about her story. Mary is now home with her family here in the United States! Isn't God Amazing? I was privileged to watch her adoption journey and plan on adding a post about it later.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
*Little Beauty* and her family need your prayers
Hi all.
Kimmie of Over the Moon with Joy and her Family of Kings, Pirates, Knights and Princesses are in process of adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia they have called *Little Beauty*
Their court date is Dec 12 in Ethiopia and they need all their paperwork complete and ready to prevent more months of waiting to bring their little girl home.
From her blog, as she says it much better than I can:
"Would you pray with us? Friday the 12th of December is our court date in Ethiopia, we need all of *Little Beauty's* paperwork to be complete and totally ready. If not we will be forced to wait for another court date and months of more waiting to be tacked on. Would you seek our Father on the behalf of Little Beauty today and tomorrow...I know that He is able, though we have been told by our agency that our chances are slim, due to the policy changes that have been occurring over the past few months."
Thank you everyone.
Goodnight.
Kimmie of Over the Moon with Joy and her Family of Kings, Pirates, Knights and Princesses are in process of adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia they have called *Little Beauty*
Their court date is Dec 12 in Ethiopia and they need all their paperwork complete and ready to prevent more months of waiting to bring their little girl home.
From her blog, as she says it much better than I can:
"Would you pray with us? Friday the 12th of December is our court date in Ethiopia, we need all of *Little Beauty's* paperwork to be complete and totally ready. If not we will be forced to wait for another court date and months of more waiting to be tacked on. Would you seek our Father on the behalf of Little Beauty today and tomorrow...I know that He is able, though we have been told by our agency that our chances are slim, due to the policy changes that have been occurring over the past few months."
Thank you everyone.
Goodnight.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Becky again...
Hi all. This is Becky. Are you her mommy and daddy? Is this your sweet little girl? She is running quickly out of time, please pray for her and post about her on your blog if you have one. Please contact me for the page details of where she can be found at. She only has until March 2009 before she is transferred to an institution...
Somewhere out there a family is looking for her right now. Lets help them in any way we can. Please follow the tag/label 'Becky' or 'thekids' for a bit more about her or contact me as to where she can be found. The digital image of 'Becky' is similar but not exact. Thanks.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Valessa
Its my regret to inform you, in checking on her today it seems that Valessa is no longer available for adoption, nor is she reserved for a family, nor does it say where she is. Hopefully she's not been sent to an institution. Please remember and pray for this sweet little girl...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Meet Alan
Alan has such beautiful, dark, expressive eyes that they just seem to pull at you.
Alan is an 11 year old boy here in the USA, and is said to be very sweet but he does have moderate medical needs and has emotional needs marked as severe, which probably means he probably does not trust people will stick around and is afraid to love. Do you have the type of love to see this through for him, through thick and thin to show him that love and family can be forever?
A photo is available on another page. Please, this little boy still looks like he might dare to hope if given the chance. Are you the family he's waiting for?
Alan is an 11 year old boy here in the USA, and is said to be very sweet but he does have moderate medical needs and has emotional needs marked as severe, which probably means he probably does not trust people will stick around and is afraid to love. Do you have the type of love to see this through for him, through thick and thin to show him that love and family can be forever?
A photo is available on another page. Please, this little boy still looks like he might dare to hope if given the chance. Are you the family he's waiting for?
Saturday, November 15, 2008
I Do.
Hi All,
This is me, stepping out from behind the curtain for a moment. I am Debrah, single, early 30's - living in Arizona. For days, I've been trying to answer a question here I have been asked a few times. And that is not a bad thing at all, I am glad people have asked it.
And that question is if I plan on adopting a child myself.
I do. Funny isn't it, as that is what people say with their wedding vows. Those two binding words bring families together. My 'I do' in this case is followed by - I will. I will adopt however many and whomever God wants me to adopt. But at the moment things on this Earth are not ready for me to start that family. I am not by far living on the street but at the moment I am struggling to make ends meet for just myself.
I am already in the adoption process however with finding a place to raise kids, and I have found that place. I am sitting in what will one day be their bedroom even as I write this note. Next I have to find a way to not eat Ramen noodles and Spaghetti O's for dinner every night.
For me, the process began there - moving into a home with room for children. And I did it, that was my first step. That was a step I've worked on for the past year. I have kept quiet about it yes, it did not quite yet feel time to mention it openly or too many people yet. But the question has been asked and now at last, I can breath out, and say - yes, 'I do' want to adopt, and am already working my way forward with that goal in mind. My next is the ability to support them. I think I will have that accomplished by the end of spring or next summer - and then you might find the faces of my own red thread children on here.
I am feeling led to the US Foster System this first time, probably a six to eight year old is the feeling I am getting at this moment, minority group or with siblings. Its not really up to me as to who and when, you see. And though I don't know who or where they are God does know who and where they are. That said, I pray for my kids each day.
Thanks for asking this question. I do plan to, and I will, and am having to start at a few steps further back than some people do but, this is where my heart lies and I am working to make it happen.
In the meantime I try and advocate for kids like Valessa and Becky - Becky who is being sent into an institution this coming march. These places are horrible, they tie kids to beds, they leave them in cribs until their bones are so stiff they cannot even move and a rigor mortis like state sets in - for the rest of their lives. Once in they are in most cases no longer adoptable. And these are just a very very small handful of examples.
I am not making this up. I wish I was. You can find credible information on it all over the internet.
I don't want to leave this on that grim note. So, please join me when you read this in a prayer for all these children. About 7% of the Christian population alone can lead to no more orphans in the entire world. That's it. I read the site Over the Moon With Joy and encourage you to visit there. I have decided to join her prayers that adoption might be brought into people's hearts, that all these kids might come home.
And that is not to say only Christan's should adopt. Love is something that belongs to everyone everywhere. Its just to display a 'statistical measurement' of how few people it would really take. :)
Reece's Rainbow too, is a good place to start if you are looking for these kids. In the past two years alone they have found homes for over 120 kids with special needs and Down Syndrome.
Peace be with you this day.
Take care.
-Debrah.
[Stepping back behind the curtain now]
This is me, stepping out from behind the curtain for a moment. I am Debrah, single, early 30's - living in Arizona. For days, I've been trying to answer a question here I have been asked a few times. And that is not a bad thing at all, I am glad people have asked it.
And that question is if I plan on adopting a child myself.
I do. Funny isn't it, as that is what people say with their wedding vows. Those two binding words bring families together. My 'I do' in this case is followed by - I will. I will adopt however many and whomever God wants me to adopt. But at the moment things on this Earth are not ready for me to start that family. I am not by far living on the street but at the moment I am struggling to make ends meet for just myself.
I am already in the adoption process however with finding a place to raise kids, and I have found that place. I am sitting in what will one day be their bedroom even as I write this note. Next I have to find a way to not eat Ramen noodles and Spaghetti O's for dinner every night.
For me, the process began there - moving into a home with room for children. And I did it, that was my first step. That was a step I've worked on for the past year. I have kept quiet about it yes, it did not quite yet feel time to mention it openly or too many people yet. But the question has been asked and now at last, I can breath out, and say - yes, 'I do' want to adopt, and am already working my way forward with that goal in mind. My next is the ability to support them. I think I will have that accomplished by the end of spring or next summer - and then you might find the faces of my own red thread children on here.
I am feeling led to the US Foster System this first time, probably a six to eight year old is the feeling I am getting at this moment, minority group or with siblings. Its not really up to me as to who and when, you see. And though I don't know who or where they are God does know who and where they are. That said, I pray for my kids each day.
Thanks for asking this question. I do plan to, and I will, and am having to start at a few steps further back than some people do but, this is where my heart lies and I am working to make it happen.
In the meantime I try and advocate for kids like Valessa and Becky - Becky who is being sent into an institution this coming march. These places are horrible, they tie kids to beds, they leave them in cribs until their bones are so stiff they cannot even move and a rigor mortis like state sets in - for the rest of their lives. Once in they are in most cases no longer adoptable. And these are just a very very small handful of examples.
I am not making this up. I wish I was. You can find credible information on it all over the internet.
I don't want to leave this on that grim note. So, please join me when you read this in a prayer for all these children. About 7% of the Christian population alone can lead to no more orphans in the entire world. That's it. I read the site Over the Moon With Joy and encourage you to visit there. I have decided to join her prayers that adoption might be brought into people's hearts, that all these kids might come home.
And that is not to say only Christan's should adopt. Love is something that belongs to everyone everywhere. Its just to display a 'statistical measurement' of how few people it would really take. :)
Reece's Rainbow too, is a good place to start if you are looking for these kids. In the past two years alone they have found homes for over 120 kids with special needs and Down Syndrome.
Peace be with you this day.
Take care.
-Debrah.
[Stepping back behind the curtain now]
Friday, November 7, 2008
Little Miss Becky:
Becky will be four in a few months, and will be sent away to an institution at that time. She is quiet and shy, with what is said to be significant developmental delays, some of which may come from being in a group home? She is said to be happy and high functioning, does react well to her care givers however and the other kids in her group.
Becky is in an over-seas Orphanage. Married people only may apply. Pictures are available on another site. Name has been changed for privacy. Please, consider this sweet little blue-eyed girl today.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
A Song from Your Child:
The other day I watched a very disturbing series of videos on You Tube, concerning what happens to some of the thousands and thousands of baby girls left abandoned in China. In fact, it is too disturbing to post here on this page, which is a symbol of hope for all these kids. I will say this - I cannot believe they claim there are not enough orphans to go around for all the families wanting to adopt them, I do not know. I do not know enough about China and the situation there and their adoptions to say. But I think if they looked a little deeper, they might find there are more than enough of these children to go around. And I think the One Child policy is terrible. I understand its purpose, but I do not agree with it. If they must do this then they should limit families to 2 children. In the end, I believe it will produce a lot less orphans. And on that thought, isn't the law that is made to control the population of China in itself contradictory? Abandoned or not these little girls are still adding to the population, whether in the arms of their family, in the walls of an orphanage or - worse. So this law is not limiting anything but human rights. But that is my opinion.
And so, I found this little video, please know I know that not everyone in China wants it to be this way. Not a lot of people do, I think. And so, for all those little girls -and boys- their birth parents and adoptive parents alike. Thank you so much for lighting up the life of one little angel at a time.
This song can be sung from any child, anywhere, who has needed love in their lives. If you have pulled them into your arms, or if you are going through the adoption process to do so, no matter where you are adopting from or who they are or even if they will show you ever that they do love you and do care - I would like to think they know this song in their hearts:
Goodnight.
And so, I found this little video, please know I know that not everyone in China wants it to be this way. Not a lot of people do, I think. And so, for all those little girls -and boys- their birth parents and adoptive parents alike. Thank you so much for lighting up the life of one little angel at a time.
This song can be sung from any child, anywhere, who has needed love in their lives. If you have pulled them into your arms, or if you are going through the adoption process to do so, no matter where you are adopting from or who they are or even if they will show you ever that they do love you and do care - I would like to think they know this song in their hearts:
Goodnight.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
"The One and Only..."
Hey all looking for ideas what to take? I think this is a good one. Saw it a while back when looking for stuff for this blog and passed it by as a cereal commercial, but I thought about it again and again, so here it is: Cheerios's for Adoption. Truly ' - the one and only.'
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Please Help with our Fundraisers for Mary
...there are a few options for them located in the right sidebar. More are to come soon. Thank you all.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Little Angels Everywhere
Please, let me call your attention to this page:
www.reecesrainbow.com/atrisk.htm
If you are adopting, please consider one of these children. They have so much to give. Thank you.
www.reecesrainbow.com/atrisk.htm
If you are adopting, please consider one of these children. They have so much to give. Thank you.
Friday, September 26, 2008
National Adoption Foundation
The National Adoption Foundation offers unsecured loans through a revolving $9 million loan bank for adoptive parents. The interest and payments on loans help finance loans for other adoptive parents. This foundation also has a limited program for grants. For an application packet, contact them at:
National Adoption Foundation
100 Mill Plain Road
Danbury, CT 06811
Phone: 203-791-3811
http://www.nafadopt.org
Adorable Adoption
Adorable Adoption offers grants for qualified families who are pursuing international adoption with the Yunona adoption agency. Grants are as follows: $2,000 per one child or $4,000 for two children. You must send a letter explaining why adoption is a hardship for you. Direct inquiries to:
Adorable Adoption
Attn: Grant Request
1131 Balboa Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
Phone: 415-305-6381
Fax: 775-258-4149
E-mail: info@adorableadoption.com
http://www.adorableadoption.com/grants.htm
National Adoption Foundation
100 Mill Plain Road
Danbury, CT 06811
Phone: 203-791-3811
http://www.nafadopt.org
Adorable Adoption
Adorable Adoption offers grants for qualified families who are pursuing international adoption with the Yunona adoption agency. Grants are as follows: $2,000 per one child or $4,000 for two children. You must send a letter explaining why adoption is a hardship for you. Direct inquiries to:
Adorable Adoption
Attn: Grant Request
1131 Balboa Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
Phone: 415-305-6381
Fax: 775-258-4149
E-mail: info@adorableadoption.com
http://www.adorableadoption.com/grants.htm
"...thats the beat of a heart..."
"Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute,
You didn't grow under my heart - but in it."
~Fleur Conkling Heylinger
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
A Family for Valessa?
Is she waiting for you? Are you her family? Singles are accepted, I think. Have you seen her sweet face with her chubby little cheeks and big brown eyes? She is four now, or five,I think. Little Valessa has some special needs that might make it harder for her to be adopted. But if you are looking for little girl, please click the label, 'Valessa' below to be taken to the original post. Please bear in mind the image there is a computer generated image and similar but not exact. I do know where there is a link to a baby picture. Thanks Everyone.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Legacy of an Adopted Child
Once there were two women Who never knew each other;One you do not remember, The other you call "Mother."
Two different lives Shaped to make you one;One became your guiding star,The other became your sun.
The first one gave you life,And the second taught you to live it;The first gave you a need for love,The second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality,The other gave you a name;One gave you talent, The other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions,The other calmed your fears;One saw your first sweet smile,The other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home That she could not provide;The other prayed for a child And her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me Through your tears ...The age old question,Unanswered through the years. Heredity or environment ...Which are you a product of?Neither ... my darling ... neither, Just two different kinds of love!
Two different lives Shaped to make you one;One became your guiding star,The other became your sun.
The first one gave you life,And the second taught you to live it;The first gave you a need for love,The second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality,The other gave you a name;One gave you talent, The other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions,The other calmed your fears;One saw your first sweet smile,The other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home That she could not provide;The other prayed for a child And her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me Through your tears ...The age old question,Unanswered through the years. Heredity or environment ...Which are you a product of?Neither ... my darling ... neither, Just two different kinds of love!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Reason Why...
A fellow blogger posted this link on her blog the other day. If you are adopting, then please consider adopting Hope, Valessa --click 'thekids' label for more about them-- or any special needs kids from countries with facilities like this. No one should have to live like this. Please post links to Reece's Rainbow -there is a link in my blog sidebar- on your blogs. The content in the link below is heart wrenching and disturbing so be warned. Thank you.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26332429
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26332429
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Looking for Aurell?? He's looking for You...
Aurell is the 3'rd child posted here. He is a little boy in the USA. I ran across
his picture some time ago and have been looking for it since to include on this blog.
Aurell is 4. A look at his hopeful eyes made me wish I could adopt him. He has this glow that by far outshines the burn-scarring that seems to cover a significant amount of his head and body.
Aurell has alot to offer I think, and needs a family to offer him support to face a future that like the rest of ours, can be so awesome if a bit bumpy at times.
If you are adopting please consider Aurell. I can give you the page I found him on. Out of respect for this child I have changed his name. A rendering may be posted when I get my desktop working again. Thank you.
his picture some time ago and have been looking for it since to include on this blog.
Aurell is 4. A look at his hopeful eyes made me wish I could adopt him. He has this glow that by far outshines the burn-scarring that seems to cover a significant amount of his head and body.
Aurell has alot to offer I think, and needs a family to offer him support to face a future that like the rest of ours, can be so awesome if a bit bumpy at times.
If you are adopting please consider Aurell. I can give you the page I found him on. Out of respect for this child I have changed his name. A rendering may be posted when I get my desktop working again. Thank you.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Who Does it Hurt, Really?
Okay, fair warning. This is a really long post on somewhat a touchy topic, if not quite on topic of this blog, but definitely related to it.
I found the link far below, at the bottom of this post, while following blog links. And I admit to using this word in the wrong way my whole life, most likely even recently, I didn't pay attention. And that seems in my opinion to be part of the problem; I don't think alot of people see it as the insult that it is, more to the people who are mentally handicapped than as an insult to those who the term is flung at for not calling the boy next door you have a crush on or forgetting to pay a bill, or tripping on the curb one day.
I didn't see it for what it was, even recently as this topic began to take light on the net. I began tossing my thoughts on the issue around in my head and have been for a few days now. Is it really that wrong, I wondered? I mean, I don't think people are really intending to be mean to people with these challenges.
I read where someone wrote to the effect of, "I do not agree with this, it is just a word."
Yes it is 'just' a word. But the definition of this word has become sickly twisted from a medical term to something derogatory.
For that person who wrote that it is just a word and they are not going to stop using it, that is your choice. But my choice and the way I see it is this - ignorance is bliss and easier to accept than the truth - which hurts. And it might be the easier to keep doing what one always has and everyone does than to get off the proverbial rolling bandwagon and go bare-footed down the road less traveled.
All roads were less traveled once. If you think about it, most everyone knows someone who knows someone who struggles with such challenges, if not mentally than physically, some sort of challenge. - My own grandfather is blind. I am too, nearly blind. Legally, I am.
Does this make him stupid? Does that give you reason to shout, "Hey, Old Blind Guy!," at him from across the street. And yes while some may do this to be cruel I bet many people would see him out there with his cane and at least offer to help him, if not then they would most likely leave him alone. But would they plaster the term in a movie and on T'Shirts? Most likely no. And does it make, him, or me, me stupid, No.
Let me tell you a couple short stories, first is about this same grandfather of mine.
I took him to walgreens one day so he could get his prescription filled. Remember, the man is BLIND he cannot see. But we try to let him be as independent as we can, as he has put himself through blindschool for. [he lost his eyesight only a few years ago. In fact, he used to be a pilot] So I stand back and just browse a few isles down to make sure you know, he is still okay.
Anyway, my grandpa, cane in hand, asks directions through the store on how to find the pharmacy window, and people are generally friendly and help him out. So he gets there and the guy stares at him. Doesn't speak, just stares. But my grandpa can still hear him you know. So, Grandpa gives him the paper with the prescription on it, a type of lotion, and asks to have it filled.
The man behind the counter tosses the prescription back at him, "this item is in cosmetics, you need to go there!" And then the man proceeds to walk away from the pharmacy window.
Grandpa calls him back, "sir, I am blind. I can't..." he starts to say 'see' but before he finishes the sentance the man behind the pharmacy counter literally yells, "go to cosmetics!" at him, drawing not only my attention but the attention of a few other patrons of the store.
I walk up. Take the prescription. Glare at the guy behind the counter, who happens to be the manager, and we leave [probably i should not have glared] all the way everyone else who works there has seen it and is trying to cover asking if they can help. I tell them no, and we leave and get the item from a walgreens up the street.
---Can you for a moment imagine how it felt for my grandfather to be subjected to that? A man who has been independent his entire life to suddenly be dependent, no matter how hard he is trying to continue on without his eyes, in the first place to be subject to such blatant disrespect??
Okay, think about it in another vien - of mental challenges - of the fact that those who are mentally challenged might not even know. To that effect - is that disrespect for those who will never harm or judge you and only love and want to be loved?
Onto the same/similar topic:
My uncle was the vice president of the a major computer company, but he was also diabetic since the age of 12. In his last days he could not walk or even move much on his own. Did this make him stupid? No.
And I cannot for the life of me, at 30 some odd years- grasp long division. I can do algebra and have gone to and graduated college after having to pass all their math courses. But this one thing escapes me, my family has tried, teachers have tried, said uncle above even tried. I can't grasp it, and yet I write full length novels and can get impressions and sometimes understand archaic and ancient languages?
So - does the fact that I can't do long division make me stupid? No.
I can't let go of my ex. It has been four years. I know I need help from a therapist to overcome it...
Does this make me stupid? No. Mentally challenged because this IS a handicap in my life, perhaps.
I do not know.
We were warned when my baby sister was born 17 years ago that chances were high of her having some sort of mental handicap, as my mother was almost 40. My sister would have been beautiful no matter what, I decided that. Yes, I was old enough to understand and remember and be willing to fight for her.
But she was born 'typical' the same. We were told, she was blessed. Does this mean that kids with such challenges were not. I don't believe so, I believe they are blessed just the same but as everyone else they have other gifts to give and things to teach as we all do along the way.
"I'm fat. I'm thin. I'm short. I'm tall. I'm deaf. I'm blind, hey aren't we all??" It is a song by Mark Wills called "Don't Laugh at Me." It goes on to say, "In God's Eyes we are all the same."
Indeed, indeed we are.
I know I am only one person. But from here out I pledge to no longer use this word as an insult in this sense. Thank you, for this post, found through the link 'Educate Yourselves Please,' Below. I will think of your sister. I will think of angels.
So there are my thoughts on this somewhat controversial topic.
Please follow the link below and read what it says. I do not allow for negativity on this site. That is not what it is about. And such comments will be quickly deleted. Thank you.
Where Are My Angels: Educate Yourselves Please.
I found the link far below, at the bottom of this post, while following blog links. And I admit to using this word in the wrong way my whole life, most likely even recently, I didn't pay attention. And that seems in my opinion to be part of the problem; I don't think alot of people see it as the insult that it is, more to the people who are mentally handicapped than as an insult to those who the term is flung at for not calling the boy next door you have a crush on or forgetting to pay a bill, or tripping on the curb one day.
I didn't see it for what it was, even recently as this topic began to take light on the net. I began tossing my thoughts on the issue around in my head and have been for a few days now. Is it really that wrong, I wondered? I mean, I don't think people are really intending to be mean to people with these challenges.
I read where someone wrote to the effect of, "I do not agree with this, it is just a word."
Yes it is 'just' a word. But the definition of this word has become sickly twisted from a medical term to something derogatory.
For that person who wrote that it is just a word and they are not going to stop using it, that is your choice. But my choice and the way I see it is this - ignorance is bliss and easier to accept than the truth - which hurts. And it might be the easier to keep doing what one always has and everyone does than to get off the proverbial rolling bandwagon and go bare-footed down the road less traveled.
All roads were less traveled once. If you think about it, most everyone knows someone who knows someone who struggles with such challenges, if not mentally than physically, some sort of challenge. - My own grandfather is blind. I am too, nearly blind. Legally, I am.
Does this make him stupid? Does that give you reason to shout, "Hey, Old Blind Guy!," at him from across the street. And yes while some may do this to be cruel I bet many people would see him out there with his cane and at least offer to help him, if not then they would most likely leave him alone. But would they plaster the term in a movie and on T'Shirts? Most likely no. And does it make, him, or me, me stupid, No.
Let me tell you a couple short stories, first is about this same grandfather of mine.
I took him to walgreens one day so he could get his prescription filled. Remember, the man is BLIND he cannot see. But we try to let him be as independent as we can, as he has put himself through blindschool for. [he lost his eyesight only a few years ago. In fact, he used to be a pilot] So I stand back and just browse a few isles down to make sure you know, he is still okay.
Anyway, my grandpa, cane in hand, asks directions through the store on how to find the pharmacy window, and people are generally friendly and help him out. So he gets there and the guy stares at him. Doesn't speak, just stares. But my grandpa can still hear him you know. So, Grandpa gives him the paper with the prescription on it, a type of lotion, and asks to have it filled.
The man behind the counter tosses the prescription back at him, "this item is in cosmetics, you need to go there!" And then the man proceeds to walk away from the pharmacy window.
Grandpa calls him back, "sir, I am blind. I can't..." he starts to say 'see' but before he finishes the sentance the man behind the pharmacy counter literally yells, "go to cosmetics!" at him, drawing not only my attention but the attention of a few other patrons of the store.
I walk up. Take the prescription. Glare at the guy behind the counter, who happens to be the manager, and we leave [probably i should not have glared] all the way everyone else who works there has seen it and is trying to cover asking if they can help. I tell them no, and we leave and get the item from a walgreens up the street.
---Can you for a moment imagine how it felt for my grandfather to be subjected to that? A man who has been independent his entire life to suddenly be dependent, no matter how hard he is trying to continue on without his eyes, in the first place to be subject to such blatant disrespect??
Okay, think about it in another vien - of mental challenges - of the fact that those who are mentally challenged might not even know. To that effect - is that disrespect for those who will never harm or judge you and only love and want to be loved?
Onto the same/similar topic:
My uncle was the vice president of the a major computer company, but he was also diabetic since the age of 12. In his last days he could not walk or even move much on his own. Did this make him stupid? No.
And I cannot for the life of me, at 30 some odd years- grasp long division. I can do algebra and have gone to and graduated college after having to pass all their math courses. But this one thing escapes me, my family has tried, teachers have tried, said uncle above even tried. I can't grasp it, and yet I write full length novels and can get impressions and sometimes understand archaic and ancient languages?
So - does the fact that I can't do long division make me stupid? No.
I can't let go of my ex. It has been four years. I know I need help from a therapist to overcome it...
Does this make me stupid? No. Mentally challenged because this IS a handicap in my life, perhaps.
I do not know.
We were warned when my baby sister was born 17 years ago that chances were high of her having some sort of mental handicap, as my mother was almost 40. My sister would have been beautiful no matter what, I decided that. Yes, I was old enough to understand and remember and be willing to fight for her.
But she was born 'typical' the same. We were told, she was blessed. Does this mean that kids with such challenges were not. I don't believe so, I believe they are blessed just the same but as everyone else they have other gifts to give and things to teach as we all do along the way.
"I'm fat. I'm thin. I'm short. I'm tall. I'm deaf. I'm blind, hey aren't we all??" It is a song by Mark Wills called "Don't Laugh at Me." It goes on to say, "In God's Eyes we are all the same."
Indeed, indeed we are.
I know I am only one person. But from here out I pledge to no longer use this word as an insult in this sense. Thank you, for this post, found through the link 'Educate Yourselves Please,' Below. I will think of your sister. I will think of angels.
So there are my thoughts on this somewhat controversial topic.
Please follow the link below and read what it says. I do not allow for negativity on this site. That is not what it is about. And such comments will be quickly deleted. Thank you.
Where Are My Angels: Educate Yourselves Please.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Button, button...
Morning everyone,
I've added a few buttons for some families to the side bar. I hope they do not mind.
Got a button for your child? Please send it to me and I will be happy to add it to the side bar! Have a great day today!
I've added a few buttons for some families to the side bar. I hope they do not mind.
Got a button for your child? Please send it to me and I will be happy to add it to the side bar! Have a great day today!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
A Home for Valessa...
I thought of only listing one child at a time to focus on just the one until he or she found a home. Hope's family has not yet found her. And yet, I found myself unable to look away from the little face of - Valessa.
This is not her name either. I rename all these children for sake of privacy. But Valessa's little picture is looking back at me. She has some considerate special needs, down syndrome I think, and challenges and lives in Russia, and if she is not already five years old she very well soon be. And then she will too may be sent to an institution for the rest of her life. See the video - Second Chance Children, posted below.
So everyone please help to pray both her and Hope to their homes.
Valessa has pretty brown eyes and shiny brown hair. She is adorable and just waiting for you. If you are adopting a little girl but don't know where she is yet, think about Valessa.
[This picture is not an actual picture. Features are not exact. Thank you.]
Thursday, August 7, 2008
"Fingerprints of God"
Again, I did not make this video, and I hope the person and family who did does not mind the use of it. It is one of my most favorite video's I've found, very uplifting and inspirational. It shows another side of adoption that is not seen as often, I think.
It doesn't matter how old you are or who or where you are from to need love or to love someone, you are all a work of art. Thank you for this beautiful video. I hope it inspires others and makes them smile as it does for me. And I will remove it at your asking.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Second Chance Children:
I did not make this video, but I feel it should be posted here. In it is a idea of what the Institutions these kids are sent to is like, not just where Hope will be sent, but all these kids. Please watch it today.
Hope still needs her home. Her Fifth Birthday is next month. Pray for her family to find her. Thank you.
Hope still needs her home. Her Fifth Birthday is next month. Pray for her family to find her. Thank you.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
A Little Girl Called Hope
In some countries children with disabilities are considered unadoptable and sent to institutions at a very young age, around four or five years, there to spend the rest of their lives.
I fell in love with one such child. Absolutely adorable, she had tawny colored hair and beautiful amber colored eyes, and she is almost five years old and from what I was able to read about her I would think she is very much aware about how bad she wants to have a mother. I call her Hope here, but that is not her name.
However, chances of that happening for her are very slim. For everyone to help will make them grow.
You see, Hope has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and though by the description given she can walk, talk, play and seems to be aware and independent enough - she will soon be sent to an institution to live. Once there she will most likely become unadoptable.
I wanted to adopt her. I checked her page each night, still do, to see if she was still there. She is.
But I did not meet the requirement for her country - as I am single. I took a shot in the dark
and asked about her the same. And as it is - I am not allowed by thier law to do so. And so Hope remains in an Ukrainian orphanage just shy of being sent to an institution. And Hope is just one child of many faced with this bleak future. Inspired by her and seeking a family for her - this blog was started - in hope of helping the faces of the Red Thread Children like her, disabled or able-bodied, domestic or international, wherever they are to find their forever homes.
Hope will be the first child listed as needing a home here.
So here is to Hope. And are you her family? Do you know of a family hoping to adopt a precious four or five year old little girl? Can you pass the word of her and this blog along?
For more information on where to find out about her please contact me through email or by adding comments - soon. She really has very limited time left.
[This picture is not an actual picture. Features are not exact. Thank you.]
Thank you for visiting this blog.
-Debrah.
PS: If you have an adoption blog please consider adding us to your links. Thank you.
The Disclaimer: [required reading]
This page was meant to give kids family and hope, and yet there are still some people out there who make the below statement necessary.
Disclaimer:
The creator of this blog is not responsible for the content submitted, or the existence or availability of children listed, information, lack of or incorrect information nor for the stated conditions or situations they are in, etc.
Nor is the Creator of this Blog responsible in any way shape or form for any and all things -foreseen and unforeseen, resulting visiting this page - including all things related to the adoption, before, during or after. And by visiting here you agree you will not hold the Creator of this Blog responsible in any way. Thank you.
We are not an adoption agency. Also, this blog is not an intention to infringe on anyone's privacy. Thank you.
Disclaimer:
The creator of this blog is not responsible for the content submitted, or the existence or availability of children listed, information, lack of or incorrect information nor for the stated conditions or situations they are in, etc.
Nor is the Creator of this Blog responsible in any way shape or form for any and all things -foreseen and unforeseen, resulting visiting this page - including all things related to the adoption, before, during or after. And by visiting here you agree you will not hold the Creator of this Blog responsible in any way. Thank you.
We are not an adoption agency. Also, this blog is not an intention to infringe on anyone's privacy. Thank you.
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