Cerebral Palsy

In Eastern European countries, special needs can be a lifelong, prison-esque sentence for a child. Our youngest son, Jadon, born with Down syndrome was adopted from Ukraine. Ukraine has little social support for families and children born with disabilities--Down syndrome included. This, to me, is neither good or bad...it is, to me, indifferent. I know the history of those with disabilities in the United States and I know that just 40 years ago, the good ol' USA was not that far removed from the practices in some Eastern European countries today.

What is heartbreaking, for me, is knowing that I would raise, gladly raise, more children with disabilities. Even ones I know little or nothing about because even knowing about Down syndrome did not equate to getting a "kid just like the one we have" (thanks Jackie, the wondrous social worker we did NOT use, for showing pure class right there). Anywho....as I was saying. Every child is DIFFERENT. No two children are the same, not even if their disability shares the same name and most of the same presentation.

Cerebral Palsy, I have a cousin with CP. I have friends with CP. I have friends who have children with CP and NONE of them are the same. Not one person's CP is like another person's CP. My friend "B", has a very tight, spastic body and uses a wheelchair also has trouble communicating--but her MIND is fully intact and she is smart as a whip. My friend "S", has tightness as well, and uses a wheelchair too but her communication is not such a struggle for her to speak. She too is smart as a whip and is attending college courses now. My good friend, "S"--her son "D" is a pure joy and I love the advocate she has become for her son and those with disabilities.

Cerebral Palsy is the reason Maggie's family did not keep her. 

Cerebral Palsy is the reason she waits for a family. 

Could you love a child born with Cerebral Palsy? 

Would you? 

Could you love a child that may or may not ever communicate with you?

Would you? 

Could you love a child that's spent 3 years in an orphanage?

Would you? 

Could you love a child that may or may not have attachment issues that may or may not be overcome?

Would you? 

Could your family accept a child such as this? 

Would they? 

Could you look at a child and KNOW they are yours, though your body did not bear the birth? 

Would you? 

Could you step out, leave your comfort zone, and travel across the world to bring a child home? 

Would you? 

Please, I am not judging, I am simply asking you to ask yourself these questions. 

Could you? 

Would you?

For any child? I'd love for that child to be Maggie, I'd love to see her HOME into her FOREVER HOME and begin to live life for the first time in her 3 years on this Earth. I am praying her home. 

Join me....

Would you? 

 "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." Isaiah 45:2-3 (NIV)