August

August.

Was a difficult month.

Has come and gone with hardly me knowing it.

Was a two year anniversary for a two separate big changes in my life.

Next year, instead of two separate anniversaries there will be three.

Next August will get here before any of us knows it. 

And right now, there are even more troubles ahead...

...more troubles and five days to sort them in.

I won't face them alone. But ultimately can't just expect for them to be done for me.

Then perhaps a good September.

Just a note about August here, with hopes for a good September ahead.

Take care, everyone, out there.

God is Calling His Army...

...to be on the move for this little girl. This little girl is Yulia, and this morning at about 3 a.m. I awoke with the urge to check my computer - and there it was, a heartbreaking plea from a woman named Adeye, whom had met Yulia in person. Adeye's post for Yulia says it so much more than I could ever say it - but I will try. Sweet little Yulia is almost 3, she has lain drugged for 'best sleep' in a crib for all of her life, only being taken out to be changed and fed. 'Best Sleep' is the words the orphanage used to say they have basically drugged the child to keep her pretty much motionless and quiet. For Yulia, this is how it has been her entire life. She knows nothing else except maybe that one flimsy crib toy you see her in the picture with. No one hugs her or kisses her or even sees her as a human being. She is left to lie in her own waste and just wait until its her turn on the daily list of chores to do. At age four she will likely be sent to an institution where horrors await her that you and I cannot even begin to comprehend - horrors such as being tied down to a bed or wrapped up so tightly she could not move, her little body will grow stiff and hard and atrophy into nothing for lack of care. She will stop growing and eventually stop moving. Eventually, she will even stop breathing. These, sadly, are the horrors faced by many many people young and old in institutions overseas. Why a mental institution for little Yulia and other kids like her -- they have no where else to put them. People with disabilities in some other countries are seen as a burden and an object of ridicule. The way to save these children is to adopt them. And for sweet little Yulia who already has all these strikes against her when she has done absolutely nothing wrong -- that she gets adopted is more imperative than ever -- it is her only hope.

But for sweet princess Yulia, that isn't all of it. Baby Yulia has an extremely rare condition called Cockayne Syndrome. This is a disorder that causes pre-mature aging.. giving children who are born with it a shortened lifespan most commonly between 4 and 10 years... other symptoms include imparment of hearing and and vision, degeneration of the central nervous system, and so on.

Oh my goodness, to have to go through life faced with that? And then to have to go through life alone without love, without worth, without value, without someone to hold you and assure you when you are afraid. I can't even start to imagine it! This, I am guessing, is the reason that sweet little Yulia is left in a laying room just waiting to die. Yes, everyone, waiting to die. Tears threaten my eyes at that thought. How can this happen? Why should it be allowed to happen? Why does it have to happen this way?

Thing is everyone -- it doesn't have to happen this way. It shouldn't be allowed to happen and further -- it CAN'T happen. God's army is being called to stop it from happening.

Lets go back to 3 in the morning for a moment. I woke up with the urge to check my computer, and there the post about Yulia was. I was astonished and in tears. This little girl, Yulia, has been tugging on my mind ever since I heard about her. I remember just a few days ago I was laying there thinking about her for no real reason and I found myself terrified that no one would go for her. Who could? Who could love someone just to loose them like that and knowing they would loose them like that? Who would willingly let their hearts be broken like that. I felt that would be, outside of funding, the biggest block to this baby getting a family -- the fear of loosing her. But those dispairing thoughts were cut short with the memory of Miss Chrissie Patterson... and the family who went for her and loves her still and what she taught and moved thousands of people with in her little precious life. Oh my, someone is out there who will wrap thier arms around little Yulia if only they could, if only they had the funds. Fear is huge but God is bigger, put it aside and allow yourself to give into him and that selfless kind of love. I came to realise then that I would go and get her. I would have to shove that fear of loosing her aside and would gladly do so if only to know and give that precious kind of love. Would it be easy - no. Would it hurt, absolutely so. But would it be worth it just to feel her little fingers latch onto yours for that wisdom and reassurance that no matter what happens, you love her and are there to protect her, that no matter what happens --- it WILL be alright.

That is what love is. But, with tears I have to face it and tell myself -- I can't go and get her... for all the same reasons I couldn't go and get any child from over there. But what I can do is listen to God's call to summon his army to burst open windows and doors for this little girl. Adeye started something this morning with her blog post for Yulia -- asking us all to give money or at least post her on our blogs and twitter and facebook accounts, to get her story out there to open these doors for her, to tell the world about Yulia... loud and clear -- because its what God wants. How do I know that? He doesn't have plans to hurt us.

So I tossed and turned it all over in my head, trying to think of how to write this blog, knowing I had to do this but not knowing how. Finally, I just sat down and wrote whatever came out. And if the God of the Universe has put this child on my heart and asked me to March forward for her -- I will. Won't you? What she needs most is a family, if she has a family the money will follow. If someone out there hears about her in all our shouting, will step forward. And if you can't be that family, she needs money, so that all her family has to do is the paperwork and get on a plane for her. For this precious angel we need to take away the barrier of cost. Can you donate to her grant fund? You can find it here. Or you can donate through the red chip in box in the right side bar of your screen. Please help in any way you can, even if it is just telling about her and posting her picture and story on your blog. Yes, there is a family for Yulia. We just have to find them...



If anyone would like more information about Yulia please contact Andrea Roberts at Reece's Rainbow or Adeye at nogreaterjoymom.com

[mean and hurtful comments will be immediately deleted]

Freddie Needs Funds...

...hi all. Is me again, stopping in real quick to tell you again about one of the older boys at Reece's Rainbow -Freddie. Ever since I found the website a couple years ago I worried about one of the kids there, he was 13 at the time, I think, epileptic and living in an eastern European orphanage. This was not good at all - first, like most kids in east Europe orphanages; when he turned sixteen he would be out on the streets, but he would have Epilepsy, a treatable medical condition [I know, I was diagnosed with it myself at age 19. I am in my 30's now and have had only two seizures since.] But out on the street, he would have no treatment. Also, this poor boy has watched other kids get adopted so many times, and not him. And he is a smart boy, he has asked if it was because of his Epilepsy.

Goodness, child, no. I kept thinking over and over again. Like Mara, I would have gone for him if only I possibly could. But for Freddie, you absolutely HAD to be married. So I checked almost every day, hoping someone could see past his age -- well -- someone finally did. A very beautiful family that had been watching him too. You can meet them here.

Freddie will soon be 15. This family has all the love that he can ever ask for and he doesn't even know that someone [alot of someones] really do love him and want him. All that stands in the way is the dollars to get there. What do you say folks? Is your three dollars better spent on a cheeseburger or a child's life? If everyone gave just a few bucks [or posted this on thier blogs if they really cannot] together we can get him out of there and HOME, where he needs to be. Please all, don't just read this, hop on over and paypal her a few dollars today? Post about them to your blog today? Thanks you all.

Always,
Debrah in Arizona

PS: Might be another post out today or soon that I wrote on the 6'th -- but I am nervous to post it. Take care.

Please watch this again....

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Can't you just feel Andrea's heart in this video? Look at the eyes of these children. Think of them, the routine of their daily lives in some places so monotonous they sit in cribs and start to rock? They deserve to know what living can really be, what love is and what a family is. These are actual children. Everyone, they are just kids. Some of the kids in this video are bound for institutions very soon that they cannot be adopted from.

What I am trying to say, Meridith says perfectly in her blog post RIGHT HERE. Thank you, Meridith. Thanks.

Can you believe we abort nearly 90% of American DS kids before they are born even when there are people out there who have their arms open to take them?

Yes, this is the second time I've posted this same video on this blog, but now it is Christmas. Please, do more than read. Please think of taking one of these kids home if you can, if not then please give - if not, then please pray and/or pass word of these children along in any way you can.

It is our responsibility to speak up for and help them, have no doubts.

Happy Holidays Everyone and thank you.

Oh Ruslana..

This is our same little Ruslana listed below - she is back on the rainbow again - for the fourth time having lost her adoptive family.

To say I would adopt her if only I had half a chance sounds so weak -- the truth is I if someone only said yes I would be there in a blink of an eye, find a way to pull this off.

But, and somehow to even write the word 'but' it sounds like an excuse; the matter is out of my hands. The first big roadblock to my having her is simply that I am not married and it is required by her country law. The rest of it, my financial status, etc -- I would find a way to make it work. I would get the money, I would get to her country and get her out of there... ...somehow.

This little girl is now going to have to be adopted from an institutionalized setting; from this point out her very life is in danger and she will regress in anything she has learned.

So my prayer is this, pray for this little girl constantly, day after day that her family comes forward to find her in time, her family... somehow, they have to be somewhere out there needing her as much as she needs them. Pass the prayer on, blog about her, ask everyone you know out there to pray for her. Here is the big question.. is that family you?

CLICK HERE to go to the page she is on on Reece's Rainbow, you will have to scroll down a bit to find her and view her more about her and her contact info.

Buying A Child??

How can people even ask this question? I was reading on another blog today about this topic and the person whom wrote that blog agreed with me - how can someone even suggest this, especially when, if you think about it, when, after biological children are born - you still have to pay hospital bills.

The fact is - you spend money on kids, whether its by adoption or for their basic care. Does this mean you are buying them? No. It means you care. It means you want them to have a good life. It means you want to provide for them everything you can. It means you love them.

And to those adopting disabled children who get told, "you know she will be with you her whole life," if the child you are adopting has significant special needs. My answer to that would be, "I would hope so. My kids will always be my kids my whole life. What a blessing that will be."

Anyway, those are just a few little things I thought I'd mention this morning. Mara is still needing her home. The Orphan Dolls are still ready to teach the world. Please continue to pray that Ruslana's family can adopt her. My baby Nephew is growing bigger every day. My friend's miracle baby is a little girl! And the family I mentioned in the post below made it by. But they are still struggling badly. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers for them.

Oh! And I might have a new job! We shall see. Prayers for all of you bringing home kiddos, by birth or adoption!

Stop Making Excuses...

...why, if there is someone wanting this child, especially Elton John, is it better for him to remain in a orphanage than where someone can love him and obviously take care of him? How is that better for the child - tell me how, how HOW is it possibly better for the child to stay socially and mentally under developed with a stigma of HIV on him the rest of his life in an orphanage and then in an instatution - when he can have love and help and a LIFE? When someone wants him? You all, I am a bit upset, I can't even get it out in appropriate words at this point - to say I don't understand doesn't stress it enough, doesn't say it enough.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090914/ap_on_en_mu/eu_ukraine_elton_john

Found This Today:

On another blog that I follow. Yeah, I am a copycat - but some things just need to be posted again and again, thank you Amy for posting this. :)

A Special Child
by Sharon Harris

You weren't like other children,
And God was well aware,
You'd need a caring family,
With love enough to share.
And so He sent you to us,
And much to our surprise,
You haven't been a challenge,
But a blessing in disguise.
Your winning smiles and laughter,
The pleasures you impart,
Far outweigh your special needs,
And melt the coldest heart.
We're proud that we've been chosen,
To help you learn and grow,
The job that you have brought us,
Is more than you can know.
A precious gift from Heaven,
A treasure from above,
A child who's taught us many things,
But most of all-
"Real Love”

Have You Ever Wondered...

...what it would be like to live with HIV, yourself, or with someone you know having it, or parenting a child that has it? There are people that do every day.

Not too long ago, not even as long as last week, I was contemplating the thoughts of adoption as I continued to make an adoption site for a friend of mine and found myself realizing I could handle adopting any sort of special needs child, Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Blind, Def, FAS, Missing Limbs - any of them, they are children of God here the same as a 'typical' child and were put here to teach and learn just as much as the rest of us, ... but, shamefully, flipping through more pages of possible disabilities I found myself thinking I would have to draw the line on adopting an HIV positive child - that, was something I thought I could not do.

I afraid at the thought, as some people are, at the thought of that 'impossible'. And yet, there were all these little faces of kids born hiv positive - that road was for someone else, I thought.

The hardest part I thought those kids would go through was being an adult, as a child you live in a child's world - you don't realize people's fears of you or the 'limitations' society sets. But as an adult you do. That, for these kids, is when they will need family for them most.

Within a week, I found myself wondering, what if I had HIV? What would I do then? How would I live? What if someone I knew did? The thought went to - What about those kids?

That idea went to - could I ever adopt a child with HIV, in a matter of days, people, I went from seeing it as impossible to wondering if I ever could.

A face of one of the little HIV positive girls flashed through my mind. Instantly and then gone again. I already knew that likely she would never be adopted, being older in the first place made it hard.

Today when I got in from work I went to the page and looked at her again. I found myself thinking - yes, I could do this. Then I opened up the links that led to Project Hopeful, read what was there and then I went back to the page again. Okay, I told myself, if this child is still available within the time its going to take to get my life together, I would do it.

Amazing. In less than a week, a change of heart? I honestly don't even really know what got me to thinking about HIV adoption in the first place? Except maybe somewhere a seed was planted that was getting ready to take root. Am I still scared? Terrified. I am about the most paranoid and anxious person I know. But there is this, I know to trust God. I know if this is what I am supposed to do one day it will happen. Am I saying I am committing to this child now? No, I am not. Right now, the physical constrictions of this world will not allow me to. What I am saying is my heart is opening to the possibility that one day, I don't know when, this could happen - for me and anyone else. You never know what children God will bring you. Don't allow fear to hold you back from those you love.

So what do you say we end the stereotype? HIV is a treatable condition these days and with the proper treatment people with it can live long and full lives. Lets give these little kids a chance? Think about it.
I'm a believer.

Here are the ones on Reece's Rainbow. The little girl Shannon, a bit of the way down this page is the face that opened my heart. Lets see if we can get her a home.

http://www.reecesrainbow.com/angelhiv.htm

Here are some more little angels needing families too:

http://www.adoption-link.org/list-of-children.aspx

Its only a start, but check these links for more information about HIV and AIDS:

http://www.projecthopeful.org/


http://www.fromhivtohome.org/


PS: I need to add that I mean no disrespect for people with this condition, in fact it is written with a lot of respect and hope. Out of respect for them and these children, please don't twist it out of shape and form, such comments will be deleted immediately before publishing to this blog. Thank you.

PS AGAIN: To clarify: yes, hiv is the virus that causes aids and they are different things, and living with one is different than the other. Thank you for pointing that out, btw. :D

The Road to Anastasia...

Hey everyone, the following link leads to a blog of a Reece's Rainbow family hoping to bring home a little girl and a little boy. Please stop by and help if you can? Add them to you blog, maybe? They are racing to beat the clock and bring their babies home.


http://roadtoanastasia.blogspot.com/

This Says it All...

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for making this video. This is beautiful. He is a beautiful little boy. They are all beautiful kids and this entirely needed to be shared and seen. Also, if you would rather it not be posted here I will remove it at your asking. :)

Ruslana's Red Thread?

Does it lead to you? From her file on her page at Reece's Rainbow:

Ruslana:

Girl, Born January 21, 2005

SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!

Ruslana is a beautiful little girl. She has brown hair and deep brown eyes. She is already 4 and facing imminent institutionalization. The director will not be able to hold her at this point, so you would be adopting her from the institution :( Time is CRUCIAL for Ruslana, as the mortality rate after transfer is quite low.

Ruslana has particularly low tone, and has not had therapy, so she is still not walking. She is very close though, and gets around quite well! She is described as a very happy and affectionate little girl who loves to play with her dolls. We all know that with therapy and focus and a loving family, she will blossom and show the world just how amazing and resilient our children really are!

Ruslana does have an oval window, but she is not considered in need of surgery at this time. You would want to follow up with a cardiologist once you are home, though.

Please give Ruslana the opportunity to be all she can be!! She has very little time left.

----------------------

Please keep this child in your prayers, please pass word of her along, please sponsor her adoption by clicking the button for her at the right. If you are interested in adopting her please contact Andrea at Reece's Rainbow today!

Can You See Me?

Can you see me? My name is Diana. I have just turned five years old. I have a shaved head and lie day after day in a crib in an orphanage overseas. They shave my head to keep lice away, so I don't have pretty curls like little girls get to. I don't have a mommy and daddy like little girls get to. I don't have a smile like a little girl should.

I don't even get to see the other kids. I can hear them, though, somewhere in the room. No one ever touches me except to feed me through my G-Tube. But I want someone to love me, too.

I am discribed as difficult. They say I have Severe Cerebal Palsy.

But I have alot to give. With a little love from you and encouragement to reach my potential, who knows what I could do? Maybe a hug, something besides these crib bars will make my blue eyes open wide and sparkle with light. Can you see me? My hair can grow. Maybe one day smile for you too? Can you see me reaching out to you? Don't see me for how I look in this picture. See me for everything I can be.

I have very very little time left to show everyone how much I can give. Please see me. Be my something to smile about. Please see me and bring me Hope. I am just a little girl too. All I really need - is love.

More information on Diana can be found on this page:

http://www.reecesrainbow.com/angelgirls.htm

Please view her details for contact info. Please send a prayer up for her today.

Mara...

...in checking on her she is no longer on the Reece's Rainbow Page. Nor is she listed as having a family. She just seems gone? Maybe she has a family? I am thinking she does?

Does anyone know what happened to her? If you are interested in adopting her please contact Andrea -the woman behind Reece's Rainbow- the same. Maybe her pictures have just been taken down for some reason. I wonder where she is. Also Esperanza is still there. Please pray for these two little girls.

I Need to Add This...

I've been feeling quite strongly that I need to add this, to share this. I found this page well over a year ago, when I first felt pulled to issues of adoption.
I lost the page. I spent about a year trying to find it again. And here it is, a page of stories of one family and their beautiful kids.

No words can describe what is at the other end of this link, except there, there is alot of love...

Please click Here to read about - a "Child to Love."

What if She's An Angel:

Somewhere out there a family is looking for their little daughter. At the same time, this little angel, Mara, is hoping so much for them. It is my own sincere hope that they do meet each other. Look at this sweet little girl. It is my hope that someone can see how beautiful she is, how much she can give, how much she can love.

Will you be the family to do that for this little girl? The sad truth is, she is nine years old now and as children get older their chances of finding a family lessen and lessen.

Mara is in Ukraine. At age sixteen she will likely be turned out to the streets if she is not institutionalized simply because she is able to offer us a gift in many ways - by looking into her face, as an orphan and as a child with a condition, that of Apert's Syndrome, and accepting her and loving her for who she is as one of God's Children.

The title of this entry is 'What if She's An Angel," which is also a song. I will post a video made to that song at the bottom of this post in a moment. Its not a video by the original artist but I am posting it mostly for the song. If you are looking for a child, please give this little girl a chance.

Information about Mara can be found on this page:

Reece's Rainbow Adopt an Older Child

You will have to scroll down nearly to the bottom, but she is there. There is a second little girl with Apert's Syndrome as well on this page:

Other Angels Girls

Again you will have to scroll down a little, her name is Esperanza. But unlike Mara her picture is not there.

Take Care Everyone, and Thank You.

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

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.