Frank's Freedom

Meet Frank. He’s 13 years old, and is curious, busy, fun happy and bright. He has a mental delay, but that doesn’t stop him from being friendly, engaging and kind. He’s also an orphan in Eastern Europe. This means he is in an institution. If he is not adopted by age 16, he will be thrown out on the street with nothing but the clothes on his back and his “disabled orphan” status. Let me tell you more about Frank.

He’s little, about the size of a 7 year old. And he’s smart. He is in a group with teenage boys ages 16-24. He does puzzles and he does his chores diligently. He is very kind to the younger children. Frank is friendly and engaging. He likes being with the boys, but is happy being alone too. He plays appropriately with toys and is “all boy”. He could very easily function in a family. Frank is curious, smart, fun and sweet. He likes to play in the dirt and jump on the trampoline. Frank is independent, a good eater, is happy and content. Frank is physically healthy. He walks, runs, feeds himself, speaks, does puzzles and interacts with others well. He's a sweet boy who seems rather unaffected by his surroundings. He has no future where he's at, and without help, he's never getting out. Institutions are a one way ticket to nowhere. And this little boy deserves a future. This little boy will be a blessing to any family.

The Baker family has committed to adopt Frank and another boy, Emmitt. But international adoption is pretty expensive. The adoption would cost about $30,000. Reece’s Rainbow is an organization that helps with this cost. They set up grants for children in 25 countries around the world, and any money that is donated to these funds is given to the families to help with adoption fees. With Reece's Rainbow's help, the Baker family only needs about $10,000 to bring home both boys!





Sunday, July 15, 2012

Alone

You've seen them. If you have ever been on Reece's Rainbow, you'll recognize them. There's 63 kids on Reece's Rainbow, overlooked time and time again. I'm writing for seven of them today. They all have been waiting way too long. Emmitt "Boy, Born January 26, 1998   Emmitt is a sweet boy. He is living in one of the mental institutions, and has been for many years, yet he remains sweet, intelligent, and kind.  Ttwo of our adopting families met him while they were there, and are pleading for a family to save him.     From his medical records:  myelomeningocele  (spina bifida)   From one of our adoptive families:  " Emmitt has a severe deformity of his legs.  He cannot walk at all.  He is very friendly, funny, and talkative. He desperately seeks out attention.  He was talking to my husband, and holding Zack's hand, which he then put on top of his head for Zack to rub his hair.  He is extremely intelligent, and just precious!  I brought him paper and crayons, and he drew me a flower  " We are seeking more official medical information about his condition, but hope someone out there will see this sweet young man and know his kind and loving spirit. $1705.50 is available towards the cost of my adoption!" http://reecesrainbow.org/1399/emmitt Justine "Girl, Born June 11, 2001 Justine is a pretty girl with dark hair and eyes.  She is fully mobile and active.   Her face bears features of FAS, but this is not documented and is only a cautionary disclosure. From her medical records:  congenital microcephaly, autism $100 available!" http://reecesrainbow.org/1704/justine112 Kristie "Girl, Born 2001 Kristie was born with Klippel Feil syndrome, as kyphosis and 6 of her vertebrates are fused together.   Despite this, she is completely mobile and totally functional/self sufficient.  She is also of typical development cognitively.  Kristie's older sister was recently adopted into another family (separated legally), so Kristie is still waiting for her own "forever family". Hope someone will consider her, more photos available! $90.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!" http://reecesrainbow.org/1827/kristie4305 Victoria "Girl, Born December 12, 2002 I can't wait to see Victoria with long, flowing hair! Miss Victoria was born arthrogryposis, which only appears to affect her legs/feet.   She has a glowing personality and is a caregiver favorite.    Will be wonderful to see her, after surgery and therapy, walking on her own!!   If she is not adopted, she will spend the rest of her life bedridden. From her medical records:  congenital arthrogryposis, divergent squint. From our facilitator:   Victoria is happy and affectionate.  She loves to play with her dolls and to pretend to be mommy.  She is a very pretty girl.  She is a rather smart girl, the care-givers love her. She cannot support herself and needs assistance. She does not walk but she is a very active girl.  She is moving herself somehow, using mostly her hands. $2803.60 is available towards the cost of my adoption!" http://reecesrainbow.org/1725/victoria110 Natalia "Girl, Born March 6, 2003 YAY, a new photo of Natalia!!   Natalia is a GORGEOUS little girl with brown hair and giant blue eyes.   She is 6 years old.   She is a very smart little girl, but her medical records show cognitive delay and some epileptic issues.   Her seizures are infrequent, and she does take medication to control it.   Her cognitive delay is likely a result of the seizures though.   She also has some strabismus (crossed/lazy eye), but this can be corrected in the US.  Natalia does show many facial features of FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome), although this is not listed in her medical records. Natalia is able to speak, and when our missionary asked her if she would tell us something , she was trying to rehearse a little poem!  Natalia is not able to walk on her own.  She is carried everywhere.   The staff there tell us that she once broke her leg/hip, and it was not set/casted properly, so it is deformed now.    Not sure this is the entire extent of her needs, but regardless, she is a very nice little girl, happy and friendly and beautiful.   She will truly thrive in a family environment. $1327.75 is available towards the cost of my adoption!" http://reecesrainbow.org/1708/natalia102 Valerie "Girl, Born February 16, 2004 SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!! Isn't Valerie cute??  She is diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  She also has strabismus (crossed/lazy eyes).    She is diagnosed with developmental delay, and shows many of the facial characteristics of a child with FAS (Fetal Alcohol syndrome).  But she is a darling girl, very active, loving and affectionate!   She is facing the institution soon.  I hope a family is out there waiting just for her! If you are unfamiliar with FAS, please spend some time researching this condition.  Just as with Down syndrome, FAS and FAE have a wide variation of effects on each child, both medically, physically, and cognitively.   This is typically dependent on how long during the pregnancy the mother consumed alcohol, and of course, how much.   There is no way to know this ahead of time. Donations will be accepted for this child when further information is received." http://reecesrainbow.org/1706/valerie-35 Igor "BOY, Born November 26, 2004   HELP, I'VE ALREADY BEEN TRANSFERRED! This handsome young man is another of a growing number of children who were born with arthrogryposis.   He is described as very loving and affectionate and friendly! Igor has already been transferred to an adult mental institution and will remain bedridden for the rest of his life...he needs a family like you!   Families considering Igor must be home study approved for an older, institutionalized child prior to commitment.  Married couples only, large families and older parents welcome, travel required. $5515.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!" http://reecesrainbow.org/1379/igor-1 Samantha and Kristina "Girls, Born November 22, 2004 & November 27, 2005 HELP, WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN TRANSFERRED! Samantha (the oldest), on the left:  microcephaly, mental retardation, crossed eyes, physically capable, friendly and affectionate girl, will do well in family environment Kristina, on the right:  cognitively delayed, physically capable, helpful, friendly, likes to play, good girl. $120.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!" http://reecesrainbow.org/1745/samanthachristina5005 Nastya "Girl, Born July 27, 2005 Nastya was born with spina bifida and minor hydrocephalus.  She has had corrective surgery, but is not able to walk.   She has already turned 5 and needs a family right away to save her spending the rest of her life bedridden in a mental institution. PLEASE HELP! More photos available, please inquire. $133.65 is available towards the cost of my adoption!" http://reecesrainbow.org/737/nastya1103 Carolina "Girl, Born May 20, 2006   Carolina is such a beautiful girl; beautiful brown hair with olive skin.  She has cerebral palsy, and does wear AFO's on both feet. From her medical records: Cerebral palsy, convergent squint, mental delay.   She can walk by supporter or holding one hand.  She says separate words, understands simple speech, is affectionate and friendly.   Physical therapy and a loving family will bring MIRACLES for this little girl! Carolina was transferred to a boarding school in 2011 (not an institution). $3626.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!" http://reecesrainbow.org/1630/carolina Wendy "Girl, Born June 25, 2006   Wendy is a beautiful girl with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes.    She was born quite premature  (not sure which gestational week, but it is listed as "4th stage").  She has CP and is completely blind, with congenital cataracts in both eyes, optic sub-atrophy, and microcephaly. Despite all of these odds stacked against her, she is an orphanage favorite and is well loved.  She will really blossom in a loving family, and learning to use her other senses will open up the world around her. Wendy is already 6 now, and is facing the institution soon.  She needs a family right away! $489.50 is available towards the cost of my adoption!" http://reecesrainbow.org/850/wendy-6 Austin "Boy, Born June 2006 This darling little boy is waiting for his forever family. He has very unique facial features, but I am unfamiliar with the condition that causes these.  One of the possible diagnoses we have been made aware of *may* be a form of Russell Silver Syndrome  (RSS). This most recent photo shows he is growing well, and seems to be active and relatively happy.   After what we learned about RSS, it seems much more likely than the previously supposed progeria, which is good for Austin!  Please consider adopting Austin and helping him be the best that he can be! There will never be a place for him in his country outside the walls of an institution, just like our children with Down syndrome. $5758.09 is available towards the cost of my adoption!" http://reecesrainbow.org/612/612 Others helped out with this blog blitz for the passed over! Check out what they have written and share! http://butbygraceitcouldbeme.blogspot.com/2012/07/writing-memoir.html?m=1 http://gilda-findingpearls.blogspot.com/2012/07/passed-over.html http://wholelottalovin.blogspot.com/2012/07/love-blitz.html?m=1 http://www.orphanreport.blogspot.com/2012/07/63-passed-over-im-gonna-show-you-eleven.html?m=1 http://lifesbeautifulbutterflies.blogspot.com/2012/07/blog-blitz-sunday-longing-lonely-love.html?m=1 http://www.multitaskingmama.com/2012/07/desperate-for-love/  http://4alittleloco.blogspot.com/2012/07/blitzing-for-love.html   http://inthewildwood7.blogspot.com/   http://departtoserve.blogspot.com/  http://answeringthecallfororphans.blogspot.com/2012/05/dad-who-answered-call.html  Clairescalicocorner.blogspot.com  http://wonderofboys.blogspot.com/  http://supermomwithoutacape.blogspot.com/   http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/   http://the-scenic-route-momto6kids.blogspot.com/   www.zerothezeros.blogspot.com/   http://thestarsaligned.blogspot.com/  

No comments:

Post a Comment

Either positive or negative comments are good because it shows I am still relevant. -Justin Guarini