An angel on loan

Today, this afternoon, in a state north of me...a 26 month old angel on Earth earned his wings.

Carla and I began our process to adopt nearly the same time last year. She and Paul traveled just a month before we did to the exact same orphanage in Kirovograd, Ukraine. Jadon and Henry were "orphaned brothers". Carla and I are sisters in adoption. We cried many tears together during our adoption time, fretted over the impending shutdown that loomed over us, and laughed about having our margarita party.

She adopted Henry believing he had arthrogryposis. Henry's life was spared in Ukraine all because of a misdiagnosis. An Arthrogryposis misdiagnosis saved his life for 14 and one-half months and allowed him to be adopted at barely 12 months old. This misdiagnosis blessed Henry with a family, love and life. I thank God above, Henry knew love and did not die alone in that baby house in Ukraine. His momma loved him fiercely, unabashedly, with every fiber of her being and so did his daddy and each of his siblings.

Larsen's syndrome was the rare genetic condition Henry was born with and, because of this syndrome, Henry had a severely degenerative spine. November 1st, Henry had a VEPTR procedure done in order to place two titanium rods in his back and straighten it so he could grow and breathe. It was absolutely imperative for him to have this surgery.

Henry had been home just a few short days following discharge from surgery when he developed a fever and vomiting. His beloved momma took him to the ER and he was admitted with infection. Surgery was done and, sadly, the surgery showed his back was full of infection. Two wound vacs were placed and treatment began.

He had a rough two days, then today he was doing well. His swelling was down. He was looking so very good. Then, something happened with his vent. He coded...twice.

Henry left us today. 

My heart breaks for Carla. I have no words. I cannot imagine her pain. Please keep them in prayer.

 "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)

Just 5 more days this month to make a difference to one...

In just 5 short days, my fundraiser for the month of November for Maggie will end. Right now she will be getting around a $265.00 donation made possible by each purchase from those of you who have supported my Scentsy page and bought from one party or another.

Thank you. 

While my heart is heavy, I had hoped for so much more of a donation, I am content with at least this much.

In December, I will have my page open for anyone wanting to purchase Scentsy and still be donating again to Maggie. I'd love to see her grant grow to over $1000 at the very least. I know my Jadon was overlooked by many, I know Maggie is too, because her grant fund is low. Jadon's was just over $1,400 when we set to adopting him, just ONE month before we left for Ukraine--we were short some $6,500 but it all worked out.

If you don't like Scentsy...please, won't you make a donation to Maggie's adoption fund? Just click on her picture on my sidebar and that will take you right to her Reece's Rainbow page, or use the link below.

These children are worthy, more than worthy of love. They simply need parents who are faithful--He is more than able and I truly believe that.

Please, share Maggie's link. 

http://reecesrainbow.org/13892/maggie4110

Share her face. 

Get the word out. 

Pray her HOME. 

I would love to see her home in her forever family. 

She needs to be out of the baby house so she can begin life. 

 "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)

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)

I need your help

Yesterday, or...was it the day before??? Anyhow, recently, I received a note from my husband's cousin, Sandy. She is a talented artist and has sold paintings before. She is desiring to help other adoptive families and orphans. She has a dream in her heart to paint portraits, filled with captivating love and emotion, of orphans with their parents and then sell those portraits in a local studio where her pieces have sold previously and then help families by donating proceeds to their funds.

I need you help, Sandy has painted our family...my husband and Jadon in the orphanage.  We are looking for more photos similar to this, pure, raw, not posed pictures. I just happened to snap this picture and Sandy made it into something beautiful with God's lead. If you are willing to share a photo of you and your once orphaned child, please leave me a comment or email me at downsyndromeawareness@hotmail.com
and place PICTURE in the subject line. Please know if you send me a picture, it may or may not be chosen for a piece. This piece will not be for your family but to be sold in a gallery for others to purchase and help pay it forward to another adoptive family. If you submit a photo you are agreeing to allow this picture to be placed into a portrait, and sold, if chosen. Please do not take this picture or any recreation thereof. My pictures are protected on this blog, so keep your mitts off..mmmmk? 

 "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)

Update on Donations

Wow!!! I am so happy at this point in the sales that have come in to support Maggie through various parties and Maggie's link too :) Remember, if you do not wish to purchase Scentsy but want to donate directly to Maggie's Adoption Fund you can do that too. Please, just click on Maggie's picture on my sidebar to the right of this and that will redirect you to her Reece's Rainbow page. Now for the GOOD NEWS! As of today Maggie will receive a donation of $204.85 from my commissions. PRAISE THE LORD! I am so happy to have such a chance to donate to Maggie. Thank you for helping me, help Maggie and her eventual family when they come forward to adopt her. For those checking in on my blog and do not know what I am talking about, let me share with you what I am doing.


Because I am so blessed, and, thankful to live in America. I am Free. I am Free to pray it forward. Free to live. Free to keep my children born with disabilities home with me and raise them in their family. Free. And I am Free to raise money for a tiny orphan, residing in my son's former orphanage.

Just over 4 years ago, a woman named Natalia did not feel free to keep her child (or if she was she didn't feel she could raise that child) and put him up for adoption. Why? Down syndrome. Disability. Shame and Imperfection according to that society...that child, my son, is home now. Home in America. Free to go to school. Free to love. Free to live. Free to be Jadon. Yes, he was born with Down syndrome. Yes, he has a disability. He is not a shame--their choice was. He is not imperfect--their ideals are. He is blessed. Free.

Flash back just over 3 years ago, a little girl was born. Maybe she came into the world kicking and screaming...or, maybe, she didn't and that was the first strike against her. Fair skinned. Hazel-eyed. Dark hair. A tiny rose-bud mouth. Maybe she was wanted...or, maybe, she wasn't. She was born, and, at some point in time, the doctor realized she was imperfect. Broken. Her mother no longer would keep her. She most likely was left, abandoned at the labor house, probably within days of being pushed from the safety of her mother's womb. Alone. Her most basic needs are met and nothing more.

No one holds her in love. No one has put her to their breast, gazing into her eyes and, lovingly breathed in the sweet baby smell she exudes when just given a bath. Nor has one has ever lovingly given her a bottle, nicely warmed, and held her close to their heart praying her life will be full and happy. No one has ever cared for her the only way a mother can. No one. Alone. Abandoned. Forgotten. Stifled.

No one has sat and played with this tiny waif. No one has exercised her spastic muscles and massaged her with lotion. No one has given her anything to look at and focus on to help correct the strabismus of her eyes. No one.

She is tiny, very tiny, from what I have been told from a person who saw her just last month. I can tell you, I am certain she is tiny. My son was tiny--just 17 lbs at 3 years old and a mere 27 inches tall. My oldest son was nearly that large at 4 months of age. I can tell you she will thrive in a loving home. I can tell you I wish that home were mine. I am not ashamed to admit that wish. I am dedicated to praying it forward for Maggie, the wee girl I've been describing. I am dedicated to raising as much awareness and money as Supremely possible for Maggie--I say Supremely because this is up to God, I am just an instrument.

You can shop for Maggie by clicking on my Scentsy logo at the top of my sidebar--there is a party link called Maggie. You can shop through that link, or just shop my page..it does not matter. She is getting my full commission for the next two months no matter how or where the purchase is made.

If you'd like to donate directly through Reece's Rainbow's website, which is 100% tax deductible, please click this link http://reecesrainbow.org/13892/maggie4110 or on Maggie's picture at the top of my sidebar that is where you will find Maggie and her adoption fund.

You are free to make a choice to help just one...she knows no such freedom, yet. Thank you, each one for helping so far. I pray this wonderful streak continues. I am praying Maggie's family realizes she is waiting for them to come.




 
"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)

A month to count our blessings, and a month for me to pray it forward

I am so blessed, and, thankful to live in America. Free. Free to pray it forward. Free to live. Free to keep my children born with disabilities home with me and raise them in their family. Free.

Just over 4 years ago, a woman named Natalia did not feel free to keep her child (or if she was she didn't feel she could raise that child) and put him up for adoption. Why? Down syndrome. Disability. Shame and Imperfection according to that society...that child, my son, is home now. Home in America. Free to go to school. Free to love. Free to live. Free to be Jadon. Yes, he was born with Down syndrome. Yes, he has a disability. He is not a shame--their choice was. He is not imperfect--their ideals are. He is blessed. Free.

Flash back just over 3 years ago, a little girl was born. Maybe she came into the world kicking and screaming...or, maybe, she didn't and that was the first strike against her. Fair skinned. Hazel-eyed. Dark hair. A tiny rose-bud mouth. Maybe she was wanted...or, maybe, she wasn't. She was born, and, at some point in time, the doctor realized she was imperfect. Broken. Her mother no longer would keep her. She most likely was left, abandoned at the labor house, probably within days of being pushed from the safety of her mother's womb. Alone. Her most basic needs are met and nothing more.

No one holds her in love. No one has put her to their breast, gazing into her eyes and, lovingly breathed in the sweet baby smell she exudes when just given a bath. Nor has one has ever lovingly given her a bottle, nicely warmed, and held her close to their heart praying her life will be full and happy. No one has ever cared for her the only way a mother can. No one. Alone. Abandoned. Forgotten. Stifled.

No one has sat and played with this tiny waif. No one has exercised her spastic muscles and massaged her with lotion. No one has given her anything to look at and focus on to help correct the strabismus of her eyes. No one.

She is tiny, very tiny, from what I have been told from a person who saw her just last month. I can tell you, I am certain she is tiny. My son was tiny--just 17 lbs at 3 years old and a mere 27 inches tall. My oldest son was nearly that large at 4 months of age. I can tell you she will thrive in a loving home. I can tell you I wish that home were mine. I am not ashamed to admit that wish. I am dedicated to praying it forward for Maggie, the wee girl I've been describing. I am dedicated to raising as much awareness and money as Supremely possible for Maggie--I say Supremely because this is up to God, I am just an instrument.

In December, I will host a fundraiser for Maggie. There will be a Scentsy package up for grabs for donations made and shares made on Twitter and Facebook too. Please, share her story. Please, pray it forward. Please, donate if you can thru Reece's Rainbow. Every single dollar helps her family when they come forward. Please share this blog.

You can shop for Maggie by clicking on my Scentsy logo at the top of my sidebar--there is a party link called Maggie. You can shop through that link, or just shop my page..it does not matter. She is getting my full commission for the next two months no matter how or where the purchase is made.

If you'd like to donate directly through Reece's Rainbow's website, which is 100% tax deductible, please click this link http://reecesrainbow.org/13892/maggie4110 that is where you will find Maggie and her adoption fund.

You are free to make a choice to help just one...she knows no such freedom, yet.







 "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)