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!





Thursday, March 28, 2013

Our First Guests!

Thanks to Pam and Erin, who helped Frank and invited 7 children to our Party! Let me introduce you. Sweet Colin and Leo are together, in a mental institution. They have been listed a long time.
Janna and Stellan are in the same Laying Down room, unless one was transferred.
Jordan is often overlooked.
Wilson is an older boy. He needs a daddy! He is only HIV+, and with medicine nowadays, that can easily be taken care of.
Marshall is still young, the perfect age!

Colin

Boy, Born December 16, 2002

Colin has the most striking blue eyes!  He was born with CP and is not able to walk on his own yet.   His upper body seems to be fine, but his legs are affected by the spasticity.  Colin has tremendous potential for improvement with therapy and a loving family.  He is medically healthy outside of his CP.
From his medical records: microcephaly, CP, spastic tetraplegia
As with all children living in these difficult conditions,  this child’s cognitive development has regressed significantly since he/she was younger.  It is of crucial importance that any family considering the adoption of an older child from the mental institution setting be well prepared for what to expect with regards to how the neglect and lack of adequate medical care and nourishment has affected this child.    These children all have TREMENDOUS potential for improvement, and deserve to have a life outside these four walls.
These children are truly living on borrowed time, and families should be home study approved before an official commitment can be made for this child.
$50.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!


Donations are tax deductible.

Janna

Girl, born January 2005
Look at Janna’s long lovely fingers!
Janna has a congential anomaly of the brain.  Both pictures we have of her she is lying down — she desperately needs a family to rescue her.   Once she is transferred, she will likely be left in bed for the rest of her days.
There are many children in this orphanage who could be adopted together.
FACING IMMINENT TRANSFER!
From a family who met her in 2012:
I did not see her moving much but she would arch her back occasionally and make a few noises.  She desperately wanted to move though.  Desperately!  She was the only child I ever saw that was given toys (I would suspect it was because the other kids would likely throw them out of the crib but Janna would keep them in the crib and play with them).  The fact that she would play purposefully with toys speaks volumes about her cognitive ability.  She would dangle the toys over her face and wiggle them around.  She could move all of her limbs but did not seem to have enough strength to sit up on her own (although she almost did it).  I do not know if she can roll herself over but when she did move she seemed to have more trunk and upper body strength then I expected.  She was given one opportunity to sit up and be on her tummy and SHE LOVED IT!  She reached for toys and enjoyed looking at herself in the mirror.

If I had to guess (and again it’s just a guess) I would guess that she has hydrocephalus and seizures.  If that is true, I believe the care takers are hesitant to touch or move her.  They may not understand hydrocephalus and seizures and are afraid to trigger one.
What touched me the most was every time I would rub her head or hands she looked at me like it was the most soothing thing that had ever happened to her – I will never forget that look.   It was as if years of horrible memories were released and she soaked up the gentle attention.
My heart is absolutely broken for her… Janna is 7 years old and is living at the orphanage on borrowed time.  It is believed that she will be transferred to a mental institution in September 2012.  However if a family commits to adopt her the orphanage director may keep her at the orphanage until they come.  I cannot even bring myself to think of her life in a mental institution, she is far too sweet and too gentle to deal with what she would experience.  Please…someone…rescue Janna
$1042.50 is available towards the cost of my adoption!


Donations are tax deductible.

Leo

Guardian Angel 
Boy, Born December 4, 2002
Leo’s needs are mostly physical.  He is a happy and social child.
From his medical records: lower paraplegia, secondary arthrogryposis, right-side scoliosis, convergent squint
As with all children living in these difficult conditions,  this child’s cognitive development has regressed significantly since he/she was younger.  It is of crucial importance that any family considering the adoption of an older child from the mental institution setting be well prepared for what to expect with regards to how the neglect and lack of adequate medical care and nourishment has affected this child.    These children all have TREMENDOUS potential for improvement, and deserve to have a life outside these four walls.
$50.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!


Donations are tax deductible.



Stellan

Boy, born July 2008

Such handsome brown eyes!
Stellan has Cerebal Palsy.  He’s another one who will greatly benefit from being part of a family!
From a family who met him in 2012:
Despite his obvious lack of proper nutrition he was very strong.   He stuck his feet out of his crib on the floor and pulled himself to a standing position. He cannot walk but with help he can take some steps. I strongly suspect this is due more to lack of opportunity than actual loss of ability.  He is able to sit up and pull up on his crib. He vocalized vowel sounds and made good eye contact. I believe that given a chance and some therapy he would be able to walk and be at least semi-independent.

I really cannot speak to his mental ability because I just did not get to spend enough time with him. There was one special day that visitors came to the orphanage so the staff let him out of his crib. That’s how I got a picture of him in a stroller. It was very hard to get a picture of him because he was very near a toy and he was obsessed with getting to it and playing with it. I could not get his attention as he was fixated on the toy. Who could blame him? I would do the same thing for a toy too if I was never allowed to play with one.  So I do not know if his obsessive behavior was again due to the institutionalization or connected to some ‘special need’, I just want to mention it so that a family that considers him has a good picture of him and his behavior so that can prepare to help him. He seemed to just pull and toss toys. Like most institutionalized children he has not learned how to play purposefully with toys. No one has taught him so he does not know any better.
I did notice Stellan licking his hands a lot. When you are in an environment that is void of sensory stimulation you will find ways to get it. His oral sensory seeking can be corrected rather easily with things like chewy vibrating toys, chew sticks, vibrating toothbrushes, crunchy foods, etc. His licking really just speaks to his level of neglect and it is just so sad to me.
The one thing I will always remember about Stellan is that he had a very sweet demeanor. Despite his lot in life he was very happy and very sweet. No child EVER deserves a life sentenced to a mental institution but especially a child like Stellan, who really has the chance to blossom with some opportunity to work on his abilities. I just know in my heart that with some therapy and some love, he could be a completely changed boy. Please…someone…rescue Stellan.

$365.50 is available towards the cost of my adoption!


Donations are tax deductible.


Jordan

 Boy, born January 2005


Jordan is waving hello!
He has Down syndrome, and he seems very tiny for his age.  The other picture we have of him, he is lying down — we have no other information about him, but it is possible he is not yet walking.

This sweet boy would thrive in a family!

$101.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!


Donations are tax deductible.


Wilson

Boy, born November 2006

HIV+

Wilson stands so proud and serious for his picture — hoping his parents will find him.   Wilson is a very good boy who needs a family and will match to any family which loves children and is open to HIV child.
He is smart and well-behaved, kind and patient. He is doing very well with other children. He is open and friendly.  
From his medical records we know that he has 4th clinic stage of HIV. He does NOT have any mental retardation but speech and psychological delay (common to all orphans). He has congenital abnormal development of gallbladder which does not bother him but was found due to regular ultrasound diagnostic. He also has protein deficiency so he is a kind of skinny.  
He is an orphan, all his close family died. Before the orphanage he lived in his birth family. in his medical record he has residual effects of TB due to his birth family history of TB. He never had active TB but got adequate medical treatment because of his TB contact.

For more info and parent support on adopting and raising a child with HIV, please visit http://www.projecthopeful.org/ 

$460.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption!


Donations are tax deductible.


Marshall

Marshall update 2013Guardian Angel
Boy, born January 2010

Congenital hydrocephalus

Marshall looks great!  Three years old and ready to RUN — he looks like he’ll keep his mama busy and on the go!
WHY is he still waiting!?

$190.50 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

Donations are tax deductible.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

It's A Party!

I am stealing this idea from a fellow blogger, Pam (www.savinghissparrows.blogspot.com) 
Frank is going to be 13 in May! That's so close! I want to do something "big" for his birthday. So I thought, I could have a "party" for him like Pam did for Emmit! I am stealing her "rules", I will do the same.

For every $5 donation to Frank's adoption fund...

You can bring a child of your choice to the party!

1 for $5...

2 for $10...

3 for $15...

etc...

Your child(ren) will have a place on my sidebar at least through May (since I don't know his actual birthday, we're celebrating all month!)

(Space permitting of course - let's fill that sidebar up!)

I will also mention your child in one of my blog posts with a link to your child's profile or your family's family sponsorship page if you are adopting.

I will also share them on my Facebook page, and add them to an album on the page, so people can see!

If you'd like me to include a link to your blog or your fundraiser as well just let me know...

By commenting on this post...

Or sending me a FB message! 

Starting now! I'll keep this post going, with who has joined. I've got lots of places, come join and celebrate Frank! Hopefully this will be his last birthday alone!

UPDATE: $5 challenge!

You can do a lot with just $5. I'm having a $5 fundraiser. Instead of spending in on that coffee, consider spending it to help Frank!
This is all part of Frank's birthday celebration!
With $5, you can do one of the following:
- Purchase a handmade friendship bracelet
- Purchase a set of hair bows
- Invite a child to Frank's party! The child of your choice will be featured in a blog post, my blog sidebar, and a special birthday party album on my FB page!

I have some incentives for you to come join!

If you do one of the following:
a) buy a set of hair bows and invite a child
b) buy a bracelet and invite a child
c) buy a wallet
d) invite two children
You can invite another child! The only rule is you have to purchase a wallet or invite another child, and you can invite another!

If you share on your blog, you can invite a child! Only once please.

Plus, if you give more then $25, I will make you a personalized photo/ music video!

So why not join? Come join the party!

Friday, March 8, 2013

There Will Be A Day


There will be a day, when we will stand before God, and he will ask each of us: "I gave you commandments. What did you do to obey them? I gave you talents and gifts, how did you use them to glorify me?"
When he asks you what you did to obey his commandments, what will you say? "Sorry, I know that you commanded me to be a light in this world, but it was too hard!"
"Sorry, I know you commanded me to care for orphans, but I was too busy on Facebook to do anything. Besides, that's someone else's job! I did plenty of other good things!"
"I know that my eyes were opened, and you held me responsible to act, but I just HAD to get that new purse, instead of giving that money away."
"I know that the orphans needed my help, but it was too sad, and I couldn't do anything, so why did I need to try?"
"I know that there are teenage orphans that weigh less then their age, but what could I have done?"
"I know that you gave me this amazing voice, but I'm scared to sing in front of people."
There will be a day when we will stand in front of God, and he will ask us, what did we do? What will be our answer?
"I know, but .... Was more important."? 
Or will it be "I did everything in my power to save every orphan and obey your commands."?
God loves us so much that he came down as a baby, a helpless baby, and lived a perfect life, and died on a cross so we could be with him. What excuse can possibly exist not to do SOMETHING? He died on a CROSS so we could have eternity in heaven. Is TV really more important? Is Facebook? It takes 10 seconds to share a link on Facebook. You can do that during an ad on TV.
And do we really need to have fast food every night? Consider taking out just one night of fast food, and instead donating it. It's better for you (fast food is disgusting) and it will help someone else.


“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.
All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.       
He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.          
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.       
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,       
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?       
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’          
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’          
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46 NIV)

There will be a day. It might be soon. What have you done?

Sunday, March 3, 2013

I Can See


I saw a new picture of Frank this week. It may have just be the angle of the camera, and that he was standing, but I think Frank is getting taller. My heart aches that he still hasn't found a family. I can't stand the thought of him growing up without a family to guide him. He's almost 13. My brother is about a year younger then Frank, and he has plenty of times when he needs his family. Just because Frank is almost a teenager doesn't mean he's "grown- out" of needing a family. In fact, this is when he needs one most of all. The teen years can be the most stressful.
I can imagine Frank home, with a family who loves him. Maybe he has a big family, with siblings who love to teach him new things. I can see his older brother teaching him how to play soccer, or racing him on the track. I can see him being kind and playing in a fort he and his younger sister have built. I can see the joy in his parents' faces' at his junior high graduation. I can see him, proud of his own clean bed. I can see his first birthday home, and the joy of a day completely dedicated to him. I can see his first Christmas home, learning about the love of Jesus. I can see his first VBS, playing games, singing songs, and learning about Jesus.
But if his family doesn't find him soon, none of that will happen.
He will spend years in that institution. Trying to make up his own games to play. No "graduation." Sleeping on a old, lumpy, dirty mattress in a crowded room with many other residents at the institution. No birthday celebrations. He was luck to receive "Christmas" last year, but it is nothing like what a family would be like. Each resident at the institution got a present, a meal, and a "party". There's no VBS. Nothing to do all day, just walk around all day.
He needs a family to come get him. To rescue him and give him the life he deserves.