Down Syndrome Conference in Bulgaria

Connecting the Rainbow is an outreach program of Reece's Rainbow. Last May, Shelley traveled to Bulgaria for a Down syndrome conference. It's slow-growing, but there are families in Bulgaria who are choosing to keep their children born with Down syndrome instead of automatically leaving them at the hospital to go to the orphanages.

Connecting the Rainbow is providing support and information to families in Eastern Europe who are raising their children with Down syndrome. Considering those with disabilities are shut away in that society this is no easy or small feat. Parents are told there is no place in society for children like theirs; children born with Down syndrome.

Connecting the Rainbow is going back to Bulgaria for another conference with the Down syndrome support group and need your help with sharing information for the parents there.

A book is being put together for the families. Pictures and stories are needed for this book. If you have a blog post about the joys and challenges of raising a child with Down syndrome - anything to encourage the families - or can write something for in an email - please email Angela at mom2mariah at gmail dot com (by the 16gh) with your information and the link to your blog post.

The ultimate goal is to eliminate the need for Reece's Rainbow to exist - because families will be keeping their children - but awareness needs to be made and attitudes need to change.

American Families Saving Children With Down Syndrome

Last night ABC News aired a segment on a family in Utah who adopted a little girl with Down syndrome from Ukraine.

What a positive message this was and such great awareness for the plight of orphans in Eastern Europe and for Reece's Rainbow!

Here is the video that aired:

Here is another short video on their website about Mia and her new family:


There is also a great article on ABC News about the whole process the Cox family went through. ABC News went inside a few mental institutions in Ukraine and reported on the conditions the children were living in. Children as young as 5 living in adult mental institutions; with adults who have severe mental illnesses. Sent there to live out their lives.

Here is a quote for their adoption coordinator in Ukraine about what life (if you can call it that) is like for a child with Down syndrome born in Ukraine. "Children with Down syndrome are considered outcasts, she said, throwaways. That's why they place them to closed institutions They have to spend the rest of life being outside of society. Absolutely," Angelina said. "They ... have absolutely no choices, no opportunities in this society."

How sad is that? 

The Passed Over Babes

Please take a few minutes and click over to Julia's blog post about The Passed Over Babes. These are all children who are on Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree. The goal of the Angel Tree is to get all the kids at least $1000 in their accounts to help with their adoption. These are all kids waiting for a family... and money is usually the main obstacle preventing a family from adopting.

Julia's post highlights the children who have been on the Angel Tree list the longest. She is having a great giveaway on her blog- worth over $600. All you have to do is donate $5 to 2 or more of the children to be entered in the giveaway. That $5 can help a child finally be adopted into a forever family.

Adoptions and Institutions

There are so many children listed on Reece's Rainbow waiting to be adopted that it's hard to pick any one child out to bring attention to. I frequently check the site to see which kids have moved to the "My Family Found Me" page and to catch up on the families to see where they are in their process of adopting.

A couple of my blogging friends have heavy hearts for certain children and are drawing attention to their plights by having a fundraiser/giveaway to advocate for each of their adoptions. They are hoping to raise the funds in their respective accounts so money won't be an issue for a family wanting to adopt either of these boys.

Please check out Patti's blog post on Artem (facing transfer to an institution), and April's post about Bogden.

Then I read Shelley's post about the institution. Shelley and her husband are in the process of adopting their 4th child with Down syndrome from Eastern Europe; and their 2nd child from the same institution. Most of the stories about the institutions aren't the best of stories - the children are neglected badly and don't receive attention or love, or any toys to stimulate their minds.

At this particular institution they are blessed with a director who actually cares about the children and has their best interest in mind. She uses the small budget she receives to make sure the kids are transported out of town and back for medical appointments, she advocates for the children to attend the local schools. She uses the money in her budget for the children so what has been neglected is their building. Rooms are in desperate need of repair.

There is a room in their building that would be perfect for a large playroom, but it is currently not safe for the children. It is estimated that it would cost about $500 to make that room safe for the children ... especially the bedridden children who would need to be down on the floor. There are a few other rooms that need some repair work as well. After I read Shelley's post I wanted to write a check for $500 so those kids could have a decent playroom! Sigh ... instead I will give what I can, and help Shelley, Patti, and April spread the word about what is heavy on their hearts.

Grab This Button

Update on Carrington, For Anon

Someone just commented about a post I did a few months ago about a little girl adopted through Reece's Rainbow and came to the states severely malnourished. That would be Carrington, arriving here weighing only 11lbs at three years of age.

Carrington is doing so much better now! She has been with her family for 5 months and has gained 10lbs. Those 10lbs have made such a difference on her tiny body. She is looking more well-nourished, happy, and loved.

While we were in San Antonio for the convention we actually ran in to Carrington! It was so wonderful to see her in person! Here is Kayla meeting Carrington:

Unfortunately there are many other kids in Eastern Europe who are also severely malnourished and could use some prayers ... prayers to hang on until their forever family is able to bring them home.

One of them is Katerina. Her mom was just there visiting with her and Katerina could use some prayers for the adoption process to go very quickly so she can go home with her family. If I remember right from her story she is 9 yrs old and weighs 10lbs. You can see a sweet video of her mom singing to her in this post, and see how very, very tiny she is.

Then there is Liliana. Pretty much the same story. Except she is 11 yrs old ... and weighs 10lbs. The picture is a recent picture of her and she is sitting in an infant seat. A family has committed to adopting her, praying they can get to her in time and bring her home very soon.

Families in Maryland

There is a precious little girl - Pauline - who has Down syndrome and is available for adoption through Reece's Rainbow.

She had several families submit their family profile to commit to her and all were rejected. Her region has come back with a strict set of requirements for her adoptions. They are making it almost impossible for her to find a family.

Someone who has adopted from her area recently has met her and said she is adorable, calm, and very observant - and needs a family NOW.

These are the requirements:

1. Only families in Maryland!
2. Need to already have a child with Down syndrome
3. Can't have more than 4 children.
4. Need to have a high income (preferably over 100k!) but that sounds negotiable; maybe?

Please help her find a family by spreading the word - the more people that hear about her the more chance she'll have that a family in MD will step forward for her.

Patricia Heaton and Reece's Rainbow

As far as I know actress Patricia Heaton has no connection to the Down syndrome community. At least until today she didn't.

Recently someone on Twitter alerted her to Reece's Rainbow. She checked out the website. She saw all those faces. Her heart melted. She cried at their plight. She wanted to do something to help raise funds and awareness.

Excerpt from her Facebook page:
I am involved in supporting various charitable organizations, but I have recently been asking God to show me where he wants me to be.  I think Reece's Rainbow is an answer to that prayer.  These kids have had very few people to be their voice, but Andrea Roberts has changed all that. I am so grateful to be a part of her work.

Patricia Heaton put a call out on Twitter for people to follow Reece's Rainbow. For every follower she is donating $1, up to $10K.

How awesome is that?! I say that is Social Media at its finest!

If you tweet, please follow Reece's Rainbow and help Patricia Heaton get to that goal of 10K followers!

Nikon D3100 Giveaway

An update on Carrington - she is starting to gain weight and is up to 13 lbs now! Praise God she was taken out of the orphanage when she was and immediately started receiving medical intervention/treatment. She still has a long road ahead of her, and is facing upcoming surgery ... but she's hanging in there and gaining weight. Scroll through the blog for some new pictures of this darling girl!

There is a family hoping to travel in May to the exact same orphanage Carrington was in and adopt their son Noah. I'm sure you can imagine how anxious they are to get him home with their family. They are having a Nikon D3100 Giveaway to raise the rest of their facilitation fees.

Just a $10 donation will give you a chance at winning this camera. $25 = 3 entries, $50 = 8 entries.

The giveaway ends Mar 31st!

Denied A Family

Recently the Davis family went to Eastern Europe to adopt Kirill. They had visited him once already and signed the papers stating they wanted to adopt him. They returned back to the states to await the court date so they could return and get the judge's permission to adopt him and take him back home to the U.S.

Their court date was March 17.

There was something a little different about this adoption.

No child with Down syndrome has ever been adopted out of this specific region before. Not only would Kirill be the first, but his adoption would be paving the way and opening doors for other children with Down syndrome to be adopted as well.

Two other families are in the process of trying to adopt from this same region as well.

All the experts in the courtroom were there in support of the family and confirmed the adoption would be a good thing.

They sat through 5 long hours of questioning from the judge.

And then the judge came back with her decision: Denied.

Kirill was denied a family. The reason given was he was not 'socially adaptable' given his 'medical condition' and he was better off in an institution than in a family.

They were told they could adopt another child from the orphanage, but not this boy.

I just can't understand it. Here was a family willing, able, and wanting to adopt Kirill, to give him a family, and someone decided he would be better off in an institution.

The Davis family has already started the process to appeal. Now they need prayers. Prayers for the decision to be reversed. Prayers for minds, hearts, and eyes to be opened. Prayers for Kirill to be allowed to go home with this family.

Eleven Pounds

2 orphans from Reece's Rainbow were just adopted into a family and recently returned to the US. 

This is Carrington.

Carrington is 3 years old. In Eastern Europe (whether its just the orphanages themselves, or all over, I'm not sure) they like to bundle the kids up. With a lot of layers. More clothes than is really necessary. I've read many stories from families who have adopted from EE and they recount that as soon as they get them out of the orphanage they start taking all those layers of clothing off.

That's what happened with Carrington. Her mom walked out of the orphanage with her and Tori. Went back to their hotel room and undressed Carrington for the first time.

That is when she discovered what her daughter's body really looked like under all those clothes. Shocking isn't it? I look at the picture above and can't believe this is the same child. Her jacket looks like it's almost too tight for her body ... and yet she hardly has a body at all.

Carrington weighed just 11 pounds. Eleven. This is a three-year-old child we are talking about. Not a three-week-old baby.

Lucas is 3 years old. He weighs 35 lbs. I just can't imagine what this poor child has been going through.

It's a miracle she's still alive; her body was starting to shut down. As soon as they landed in the U.S. she was rushed to the hospital where she is now fighting for her life. The doctors are doing what they can to get the nutrients in her little body so she can continue to fight.

A friend of the family has started a blog with updates about Carrington.



Please keep this child and this family in your prayers. Pray that her little body will accept the nutrients being given to her and she will continue to fight, and grow, and thrive with her new family.

The Star Fish

I don't remember when I first came across this story, but the powerful message has stuck with me.

Based on the story by Loren Eisley...

I awoke early, as I often did, just before sunrise to walk by the ocean's edge and greet the new day. As I moved through the misty dawn, I focused on a faint, far away motion. I saw a youth, bending and reaching and flailing arms, dancing on the beach, no doubt in celebration of the perfect day soon to begin.


As I approached, I sadly realized that the youth was not dancing to the bay, but rather bending to sift through the debris left by the night's tide, stopping now and then to pick up a starfish and then standing, to heave it back into the sea. I asked the youth the purpose of the effort. "The tide has washed the starfish onto the beach and they cannot return to the sea by themselves," the youth replied. "When the sun rises, they will die, unless I throw them back to the sea."


As the youth explained, I surveyed the vast expanse of beach, strectching in both directions beyond my sight. Starfish littered the shore in numbers beyond calculation. The hopelessness of the youth's plan became clear to me and I countered, "But there are more starfish on this beach than you can ever save before the sun is up. Surely you cannot expect to make a difference."


The youth paused briefly to consider my words, bent to pick up a starfish and threw it as far as possible. Turning to me he simply said, "I made a difference to that one."


I left the boy and went home, deep in thought of what the boy had said. I returned to the beach and spent the rest of the day helping the boy throw starfish in to the sea.

The star fish are kind of like the kids on Reece's Rainbow. I can't save them all. But I can make a difference by spreading awareness and making donations when I can.

There is a fundraiser going on now for Lera; $10 donation gets you a chance to win an Ipad2, among other prizes.

Remember Lera?

Last year I posted about Lera - an adorable girl on the Reece's Rainbow site. The 2nd family who had committed to adopt her was not able to continue with the adoption either. She was once again available to adopt - and once again at risk of being sent to an institution.

All of the pictures of the babies and kids on Reece's Rainbow tug at my heart strings. But sometimes you come across a picture of someone and for some reason that particular face makes you pause a little longer, pulls a little harder on those heart strings. This picture of Lera was like that for me.

I was so happy to hear a 3rd family had come forward to commit to adopt her. It's been a long process but they are finally getting close to travel to her country for their first visit with Lera. Then they'll have to travel a second time for the adoption and to take Lera home.

I just recently found out that although this family has committed to adopt Lera; and will hopefully be traveling soon for their first visit, that Lera has been transferred to an institution.

I look at the picture of this sweet, smiling, little girl and can't imagine what it must be like for her now. To go from the baby house - the only place she's ever known, to an institution. What a shock to the system that must be.

Her family is hoping to travel within the next few weeks for their first visit and they could use some prayers, and some financial assistance for this visit, and the second visit. Please pray for Lera and her family. And if you're able, please consider a tax-deductible donation to Lera's fund.

A Chance Meeting

Last night we went on base to attend the special needs support group meeting. This is for military families who have a family member with any type of special needs.

Last night was 'game night' with pizza and ice cream. I was in the kitchen area getting some ice cream for myself and the kids. I brought our bowls to our table and noticed a family across the room who had just arrived.

The first thing that caught my eye was the double stroller. Aww she's got a couple of babies I thought to myself. Then my mind instantly registered the baby sitting in the front part of the stroller had Down syndrome. Excitement! I hadn't known there was another military family with a child with Down syndrome here.

I leaned over to mumble to Joe, "Look she has a baby with Down syndrome" and as he was asking me what I said my brain registered that the second baby looked like she had Down syndrome too. "Twins! Look she has twins with Down syndrome!"

No sooner had I said that to Joe when the coordinator from the base's Special Needs office came over to us. I think I said something to her about twins and she said "no they aren't twins" and then told us they were adopted. Recently adopted. As in ... just arrived in the states a few weeks ago with them. Just adopted them from Ukraine!

 Down syndrome + adoption + Ukraine pretty much = Reece's Rainbow.

And that's exactly what Joe said, "Oh! From Reece's Rainbow?" The coordinator didn't know, but the mom heard us from across the room and said, "Yes, Reece's Rainbow!"

I had no idea there was a family in this area who had adopted through Reece's Rainbow; not that I can possibly follow all of the adoptions happening over there though!

It didn't take me but a few minutes to get over there and see those cuties and say hi to this family. How exciting it was to meet two precious kiddos who were adopted from a baby house/orphanage from Ukraine. Two babies with Down syndrome who now won't be faced with a life time spent in the mental institution where they would have been transferred upon turning 5.

Her husband is currently stationed in Italy and since they don't have the medical or therapy services at the base there the family will be moving stateside. She's in this area now with the kids staying with her family. He's back in Italy awaiting orders. They are hoping to be stationed here.

So the "twins" are boy/girl and 12 and 15 months. So adorable too! Plus their big brother (who is 6) and looks to be such a big help. I so enjoyed holding and loving on those cuties! Asher has such a cute smile and he loves to bounce. Bounce, bounce, bounce in my arms and grab at my face! These babies are so blessed to be given the gift of this forever family.

I sure hope to be seeing more of them!

Connecting The Rainbow

Reece's Rainbow has recently launched a new outreach program - Connecting the Rainbow.

In Eastern Europe parents who have a child with Down syndrome are encouraged to place their baby in an orphanage. There isn't much in the way of support for keeping, and raising, your baby at home.

Because of Reece's Rainbow's support of international adoptions of children with Down syndrome more families are now starting to keep their child with Down syndrome; but they receive no government help for therapies, education, care, or information on how best to help their child reach their full potential.

The goal of Connecting The Rainbow is to provide education, resources and support for these families who are raising their children at home. Informational packets with therapy-related tools will be distributed to families across the region.

Another area of support is helping educate medical and educational professional about the unlimited potential of people who have Down syndrome, along with showing them the appropriate educational and medical interventions to get them there. Connecting the Rainbow will be putting together mission trips to bring medical and educational professional, along with physical and occupational therapists into these regions.

Two moms will be making a trip to Bulgaria and are planning to bring enough parent packets to support the members of Association of Parents of Children with Down Syndrome. Their biggest needs are for oral and fine motor tools and toys. You can help by purchasing something from their Amazon Wish List, participate in the Beyond Play Fundraiser, purchase items from the non-fundraiser Beyond Play wish list, or make a general tax-deductible donation.

She Needs A Family

This precious little girl needs a family. She is 4 1/2 years old and will be sent to an institution; her time is running out.


She had a family wanting to adopt her, a family who loves her and couldn't wait to bring her home, but something fell through with the adoption and she now faces institutionalization.

From Reece's Rainbow:

Girl, Born August 7, 2005

Russia

Lera is a gorgeous little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. She is 4 years old. She is quite high functioning, and doing very well. She has flat feet and a systolic heart murmur, but no major heart conditions. She is able to walk and climb, she eats by herself, dances, and understands and follows directions. She has also been transferred to the regular class, so she is living and learning with her typical peers.

She has $8605 in her grant fund (and the previous family who were going to adopt her raised $2000 that they will donate to a family who commits to her.)

My heart is so heavy at the thought of this little girl going from what she knows to an institution ... and how different her life will be there. There will be no chance of adoption once she's transferred.

When I look at her face I see a spunky, full-of-life girl and can only imagine how quickly the light will go out of her eyes if she's in an institution.

Joe and I have discussed adoption in the past and this situation has made me pray about it and she has been on my heart so much since I learned she lost her adoptive family.

But Joe and I aren't in a position to commit to a child right now - we can't complete a home study in the near future since we live in 2 separate states.

So all I can do is pray, and pray, and pray for this child to be adopted and not be sent to an institution.

Maybe someone out there has been considering adoption and maybe this will be the pull they need to commit to a child...I hope a family finds her.

Isn't she just beautiful?

An Auction for Lily

12 Days of Giving Day 7: I have a bunch of Lucas's clothes I've been wanting to give to a friend for awhile now. I finally got them boxed up and sent on their way!

My friend Michelle (whom I met when I went to Wisconsin) is in the process of adopting a girl with Ds from Eastern Europe via Reece's Rainbow. Michelle's daughter Ruby has Ds, and Ruby is also a twin; however Lydia was still born. The girl they are planning to adopt is named Lilya (which they'll change to Lily) and she is also a twin (her twin doesn't have Ds and wasn't given up for adoption). Lilya's last name starts with a Z - and so does Michelle's! So many neat connections between Lily and Michelle's family!

Michelle is having an auction to raise money for Lily's adoption; there are 38 wonderful items to bid on! So for Day 8 of giving I'm going to give some bids on some items for Lily's Auction and cross my fingers that I'll win something...and in case I don't win anything I'll give a donation to their adoption fund.

Reece's Rainbow Christmas Angel Tree

Reece's Rainbow is an international Down Syndrome orphan ministry dedicated to helping kids with Down syndrome find their forever families - through adoption and also grant programs to help families adopt these children.

The plight of children in 'baby homes', especially children with disabilities, is heartbreaking. Usually after age 4 they 'age out' of the baby homes and are sent to mental institutions. Life in the mental institutions isn't much of a life at all and the life expectancy takes a dramatic downturn.

November began the 4th Annual Christmas Angel Tree Project. This is their most important fundraiser of the year and also corresponds to the highest number of children finding their 'forever families.' The goal is to raise $1000 for each of the almost 200 'waiting children' - to have this money in their adoption grant accounts.

When you sponsor a child for at least $35 you will also receive a beautiful porcelain photo ornament of that child.

While I'm praying for all of these orphans to find their forever families and not have to know life in an institution; Christine K is who I'm sponsoring this year:

31 Days Already?

I can't believe it's the end of October! Which also means the end of "31 for 21" - whew, I made it! Posted every day for October!

I just realized I never answered the questions that were asked to me on that first post either - so here goes.

1. What are your plans for once Joe's back home? Where do you see yourselves 18 months from now? I'm actually going to answer this in an upcoming post!

2. I would like you to post on how you and Joe met, how long you dated, were engaged, etc. Here is the story of how we met. I was telling Joe the other day that although we did meet in high school, our relationship more closely resembles one where the couple met online! We pretty much 'dated' for 2 years long-distance...so all the 'getting to know' you time happened via emails and chats!

3. Because I recall Kayla being a bit of a peanut, what size is she in now and is Lucas catching up to her? Kayla is in size 6 for tops, although in long-sleeves the sleeves are a bit long on her. But if I go with a 5 the shirt is too short in the waist. Her pant size is 5, but again the length is a little long on her legs, but it fits better in the waist then a 4 would. Shoe is 9.5. Kayla is 40 lbs and 41 inches. I have no idea where she is on the Ds, or typical, charts. At Lucas's 18 month appointment he was...hmm...I think 27 lbs and 32 inches...geesh I need to keep better track! He's not catching up too quickly, yet! He's in 18 month pants and 18-24 months shirts. I know Kayla was not wearing 18 month clothes when she was 18 months though!

4. How has inclusion worked for Kayla so far? How are you going to explain ds to Kayla and Lucas? I think, so far, inclusion has been the right thing for Kayla, and her classmates, at this stage in her life. The kids here (just like last year in NM) seem to want to 'help' Kayla and while that is sweet of them, I know she does not like assistance like that - she is so independent and wanting to do for herself. I think because she is smaller and looks younger for her age they tend to want to 'mother' her. Hopefully the teacher is helping the kids realize that there is a lot Kayla can do on her own and she doesn't always need so many helpers :)

As for how we are going to explain Ds to Kayla and Lucas: I honestly don't know yet! I guess I'm thinking it will be some gradual realization for them and we'll definitely talk about it. We have the book "Meet Annie" and there is a part in the story where she says "I have Down syndrome." This isn't in the book, but then I say to Kayla "Just like you. You have Down syndrome too." I know she doesn't understand that right now, but eventually she will. I also plan on getting the book "We'll Paint the Octopus Red."

5. Would you ever consider adopting? Yes Joe and I have mentioned adoption a time or two! It is something I've thought about, but not enough where I've given it serious consideration and we've started the process or anything.

6. Would you ever consider adopting a child with down syndrome? Yes I've considered this too! Especially when looking over the pictures at Reece's Rainbow an international Down Syndrome Orphan Ministry. Kids with disabilities in Eastern Europe are transferred from orphanages/baby homes to mental institutions around age 4. After that it becomes very difficult for adoption, and most don't survive the institutions. It's such a sad situation over there and it breaks my heart to think of what those kids go through. I do what I can by sponsoring adoption funds for the children waiting for their forever families.

7. Where do you and Joe (& the kids) plan to be in 5 years? Could you live abroad again? I think I remember your saying you lived in Germany. Will you go back to visit? Where would you like to travel to as a family? I have no idea where we'll be in 5 years - wherever the military sends us! Actually when Joe gets back next year he'll only have 3 years left before he hits that 'magical' number of 20 years in the service; and then he can retire! Yikes! That's kind of scary to think about because I'm not sure we're quite ready for the military retirement - we don't even know where we want to settle down at. So we could possibly still be in SC (where his orders are for after this deployment), or stationed somewhere else. We've talked about living in Germany again, maybe we'll stay in past 20 and try to get orders to Germany - that would be a neat experience for the kids. We do have friends stationed in Germany now and it would be fun to go back and visit them; although the thought of an overseas flight with my two kids stresses me out! Flying period stresses me out!

8. How is inclusion going in school for Kayla? See above :)

9. If Lucas had been a girl, what name would you have chosen? I posted the names we were thinking about, and even up till I was in labor we still weren't 100% sure what name we were going to use for a boy, or girl!

If you have 4 minutes

please watch this video. It was made by Clara Sigmon, a 13 yr old, about her brother David, who has Down syndrome. It's called "Difference is an Artist's Game" - it is very powerful and well-written/spoken. I'm impressed that she is in 8th grade!



and if you have a couple extra minutes will you consider voting for this American Express Members Project? Reece's Rainbow is in the running for a $1.5 million grant which would cover $20,000 grants for 100 children in overseas orphanages who are waiting for their forever family to adopt them. It only takes a few minutes to register as a guest (if you don't have an AmEx card) and vote.