Friday, March 25, 2011

On my heart today ...

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A little boy, named Kirill,who's hopeful adoptive parents, spent ten's of thousands of dollars and traveled thousands of miles,to bring him home and love him totally and absolutely unconditionally,was denied his forever family because a judge deemed him "socially unadaptable due to his medical needs"."In other words,because he has Down syndrome,the adoption was rejected.A first for a child being adopted through RR and a wake up call,of what other adoptive families could possibly face.Especially 2 that are set to go before this very same judge very soon.

You see,in Kirill's country, and most of Eastern Europe,children who are born with Down syndrome are hidden from society and even those birth parents who want to keep their children,cannot.Society would turn their backs on them as well.These children are placed in baby homes,or orphanages, some better than others,for up to 5 years,and then they are transferred to mental institutions,with mentally ill adults and most will die within the first year.Those are the statistics.That is their reality.And for Kirill's family,they left heartbroken and shocked and today are desperately trying to find a way to get back to their son.For 2 years they journeyed toward him and they are not about to give up now.

Up until 6 years ago,most of the world had no idea that these children even existed but thanks to the incredible vision of one woman,Reece's Rainbow came to be and as of today over 500 children,who would otherwise be dead,blunt but true,are living and thriving,in this country and bringing joy and laughter to those who know and see the beauty and magic in that extra chromosome.If you have never been to RR site.Please go.See the faces that are calling all of us to action.And if little Kirill and his families story are not enough,meet Carrington ...

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She arrived in the states on March the 17th,from an Eastern European orphanage,weighing 11 pounds... at 3 years of age.She was immediately taken to the hospital,where today,she continues to fight her way back to life.Heartbreaking.And again, a stark,in your face reality check.


Reece's Rainbow
is near and dear to our hearts.We have supported their mission of raising awareness to the plight of these precious orphans and their desire to save one child at a time,for a few years now.We have fallen in love with countless children and watched joyfully as they have come home to their forever families.We have even contemplated adopting ourselves.A few times.The time as never seemed quite right and sadly,adoptions in Russia and Ukraine,cost upwards of 30,000 dollars.Sounds crazy doesn't it?These are countries throwing away their children and have families waiting in line to rescue them.Something is so wrong with that.To it's very core,wrong.But for hundreds of families,this was not a deterrent.People fundraise unbelievable amounts of money and take a leap of faith,that the money will come.And usually it does.One way or another, through sacrifice and determination and the kindness and generosity of strangers,they find a way to bring their children home.Just this week,a family was short something like 15,000 dollars and this amazing community that we belong to,made it happen.

I can't help but look at Zoey and feel such gratitude that she is with us.A child like her,with her complex medical needs at birth and beyond, and still today,would not survive.No way.

I often say that our family could attach ourselves to so very many causes:Down syndrome, congenital heart defects,childhood/infant stroke hemiplegia awareness,epilepsy and of course, pediatric cancer.Each one of those diagnosis' of Zoey's, calls us to never lose sight of the miracle of having her here with us today.It is hard to spread ourselves around ,but we try and today,the plight of the forgotten and abandoned children of Reece's Rainbow,is what is on my heart today.

13 comments:

Rochelle said...

Beautiful! ♥

Edward and Libby said...

Oh my God Heather it makes me SO sad (and sick) that a "judge" would actually think that it is better for a child to live in an orphanage and mental institution than a loving home...to say they are socially unadaptable is ridiculous. And so so so sad...

Anna said...

tears streaming down my face. THank you for sharing the stories Heather. They are real families and REAL CHILDREN with potential. I asked her to share our blog with hopes that the translator could help them see there are families just like them that will LOVE them and give them a future. We CAN make a difference. Ive been praying hard. I am also praying that God allows us the finances and strength to do it again.

Mama Mason-Mann said...

Not much makes me cry, but this does! Nice post. Thanks for writing it.

Kristin said...

That is the saddest story. Praying that the judge will have a change of heart.

Lacey said...

So so scary, because one thing I was not worried about was the judge saying no! Never before had a judge said no to an RR family. Now it has happened, and I think we are all shaken! How can he leave a child in an orphanage, its costing them money! Let us take and care for these children. And let them thrive like Arina has!

kathleen said...

Another horribly sad story. You know way to many of these! Give Zoey a big hug!

just jean said...

It's scary that one person can have so much power to change the lives of others and not have any apparent compassion in his soul.
Thank you for posting such an important, albiet disturbing, post.

colleen said...

Hi Heather,
Would never have known about this organization if not for your blog which resulted in my making my first(but not last) donation a month ago...The news in your post today is beyond disheartening... but thank you for enlightening us... As ever, Zoey continues to amaze
Colleen

Life and Times . . . said...

Hi Heather,

I found your blog through Jackson's Blog (his mama is my husband's cousin). Sometimes I like to pop in and check on Miss Zoey. When I read this today, it infuriated me. My husband and I just started the adoption process from Bulgaria, and I cannot imagine getting to the end and being denied your baby. I will be praying that this family gets their baby and that this precious little boy gets his family.

Stephanie said...

Comments like Colleen's, makes it all worth it, doesn't it?

Maureen said...

Oh Heather. That makes me sick. I cannot imagine why someone would not jump at the chance for this boy to have a real family who will love and care for him. I will pray that this gets resolved and that this family is home with their son soon.

Elizabeth said...

Your heart is so big, big enough to contain all of these children and their disorders. Thank you for asking us to help bear it. I will.