As One We Can~

The Simon's family is very close to traveling and their going to bring home 3 very special little ones. I feel so honored to have had the privilege of meeting these 3 beauties. Their waiting for their mom & dad in the same orphanage that our Isaac was adopted from. Like all our families they still need any & all the financial help they can get. You can read more about this wonderful family and follow them on their life adventure to adoption here on their: http://www.3foldblessings.blogspot.com/

this is Sergy, soon to be Eli (love that name!)

and Angel, soon to be Ana

and lastly Tatya..Like most the pictures on RR..these ones don't show the true beauty of each of these children. I can't wait to see them home! :)

Our other family is the Ferguson family. Their dossier is in route and they'll have their travel time soon too. Their going to bring home Nadine..isn't she just sweet? Love those eyes! They have $0. in their family account...Let's pull together to change that shall we? :) You can follow them on their journey here: www.seeingtheupsideofdown.blogspot.com/

You can read more about both these families and give your gifts of love here: www.reecesrainbow.org/familysponsorshipalmostthere.html

Please be prayerful in your giving and on behalf of the families you help...Many, many thanks!
~MAY GOD STRETCH OUR GIFTS IN A MIGHTY WAY THAT ONLY HE CAN!~

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As One We Can~

Adoption Tax Credit 2010

There is wonderful news about the 2010 Adoption Tax Credit, and it will make adoption more affordable for many! IT is especially GREAT news for the children listed on Reeces Rainbow. According the the tax credit, when you adopt a child with special needs, you can take advantage of the WHOLE amount even if your fees were less! Many families on Reeces Rainbow choose to adopt 2 or even 3 children at one time. That means that they can take advantage of over $26 thousand dollars in a tax credit!

You can read a bit about it HERE!

And also, a bit about it HERE!

Could this be the time for your family to consider adoption?

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Adoption Tax Credit 2010

Meet the Families of Reece's Rainbow - The Shupp Family

I want to introduce you to the Shupp family. They are adopting from Eastern Europe! You can follow along on their journey on their blog!




I've asked some questions to help you get to know Bill and Lyndi Shupp!

Please, meet the Shupp Family!

 Freddie

Tell me about yourself and your family.  We are Lyndi and Bill. Together we have 6 children. Last year, we adopted Patrick from Ukraine. Our children range in age from 2 to 12, 3 girls and 3 boys. Bill and I have been together for 7 years, married for 4 1/2. We love our ever growing family and can't wait to see what else God has in store for us!

What can you tell me about the child you are adopting?
Freddie is 14 already. He has a seizure disorder. We don't know much else about him at this time, but he will age out of the system soon, so he needs to get home FAST!

Tell me why you decided to adopt a child with special needs?
I'm not really sure. My niece played a big role in it. She has autism and is an absolute joy. Many of her friends have Down Syndrome, which is what drew us to Patrick. But, with Freddie is was more of a teeneager needing a family. He shares a birthday with my neighbor, so that brought his reality closer to my heart. I can't imagine my neighbor living on the streets or in an institution, so Freddie's reality meant more to us because of that.

What would be your advice to anyone wanting to adopt? Pray pray pray. Research the country, research institutional behaviors. Learn about how to bond. Be patient, it's a process. When all is said and done, pray some more, you can't do too much of that!

The Shupp's will be travelling very soon so please keep their family in your prayers and if you have a blog you can add Freddie's button to or can help in any way, thank you! You can follow along on the Shupp's Blog.



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For other ways to help the children from Reece's Rainbow, please read the How You Can Help page on the Reece's Rainbow site! If you are looking for a gift idea for someone, your donation can be your gift!


Are you adopting? If you'd like to be featured on the 'Meet the Families' segment, please CLICK HERE. We'd love to feature your family!

If you have a blog, we'd love for you to put our Meet the Families Button on it!





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Meet the Families of Reece's Rainbow - The Shupp Family

Angel of the Week

Meet Alina!

"Oh Mama, I have been waiting so long, won't you come for me?"

Isn't Alina gorgeous? She needs a family soon, she is 'at risk' for being institutionalised from a place where she won't be adoptable. 

Could she be your little girl?

Alina can be found here: http://reecesrainbow.org/atriskwaiting.html

Alina (23) Girl, Born January 28, 2006 "Oh Mama, I have been waiting so long, won't you come for me?"   Our little Alina has brown hair and brown eyes. She was born with a VSD (ventricular septal defect) and also has hypothyroidism. She is doing very well, but should be seen by a cardiologist when she gets home. Alina has recently turned 4, and is now "at risk" for institutionalization.   Now is the perfect time to start your paperwork for Alina! She can not be adopted from the place she will be sent. She is blessed to still be at the baby house, which is one of the nicer ones. We have had several families adopt from here, and this region is a beautiful place to visit. There are MANY children with Down syndrome and other special needs waiting in this orphanage who can be adopted together. I have $135 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

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Angel of the Week

Happy World Down Syndrome Day! - We Want to Hear from YOU!

Today is World Down Syndrome Day!
Every year, on March 21 (to honor the 3rd copy of the 21st chromosome presented in Down syndrome), the world comes together to raise awareness and advocate for people living with Down syndrome.

Have you grabbed our 21.3.10 Project button to put on your blog/facebook/twitter? How amazing would it be for those who haven't yet been touched by Down Syndrome to see all of their friends with matching profile pictures today! 

It's also not too late to order t-shirts, journals, cups, tote bags, etc with our 21.3.10 Project graphic on them to wear and use proudly throughout the year!

We'd LOVE to hear from YOU! Has your life been blessed by a person with Down Syndrome? Please tell us your story in the comments and over the next week in between our regularly scheduled posts we'd love to share some of your stories! 

The next time you see a person or child with DS, stop… take notice. That life is nothing short of a miracle. The termination rate for pregnancies with DS diagnosis is now up to 94%. That is staggering. So, not only are you seeing the blessing of a person with DS, [made closer to the image of God than the rest of us], you are seeing the miracle of a life that many are trying to completely eliminate… I believe, hand on heart, that the two points are most definitely related…(via the Poppies' Blog)

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Happy World Down Syndrome Day! - We Want to Hear from YOU!

Friday Focus on Down Syndrome - Peter Elliott

This Sunday is World Down Syndrome Day! As well, the month of March is Down Syndrome Awareness month in the US and this last week was Down's Syndrome Awareness Week in the UK.

This week's Friday Focus on Down Syndrome I am introducing you to Peter Elliott. He has a son with Down Syndrome and went on to do something extraordinary as a result!

So, without further ado... I introduce you to Peter Elliott

When Peter Elliott's son was born with Down Syndrome he and his wife joined their local DS support groups. This wasn't enough for Peter, however. His love for his son and all people with Down Syndrome inspired him to start the Down Syndrome Research Foundation.

From the DSRF-UK web site:

The Down Syndrome Research Foundation is the inspiration of Peter Elliott, founder member and Chair of the Trustees.  He has worked tirelessly to change attitudes and gain acceptance for the view that the chronic illnesses that affect many of those who live with Down’s Syndrome should not be accepted as ‘the norm’.

In 1996 the DSRF was established as a national charity, Peter was joined by parents of children with Downs Syndrome who also wanted a greater emphasis placed on medical research and healthcare issues in order to improve the quality of life for children and adults with Down Syndrome also known as Trisomy 21.

They are committed to research into the health issues that affect children and adults with Down Syndrome. It always amazes me how so many parents of children with Down Syndrome go on to do such amazing things!

From the DSRF-UK web site: (Research Overview)

We undertake to build on the research that has already taken place. We fund and manage research in association with other groups and charities and we share our results and findings. We believe that this approach will ultimately bring huge benefits to people with Down’s Syndrome, their siblings, parents and to carers of those with Down’s Syndrome.

Please, please, support us. Our work is vital and we receive no government funding, we rely totally on voluntary contributions.  Please click here to make a donation.

I encourage you to visit the DSRF-UK web site and see how you can become involved! You can volunteer to help in their vision and/or you can help through your donations!

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Friday Focus on Down Syndrome - Peter Elliott

5 Minutes for Special Needs

Thank you to Tammy at 5 Minutes for Special Needs! Reece's Rainbow's 21.3.10 Project is being featured today!

I'm guessing more of you reading this than not know about 5 Minutes for Special Needs, if you haven't heard of them they are a sister site to 5 Minutes for Mom

Their goal is to support, inspire and offer insight.

Be sure to visit their site and meet the entire team, of which Tammy (Parker's Mum) and Parker are the editors!

Thank you, Tammy!

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5 Minutes for Special Needs

Angel of the Week

Meet Wyatt!

Wyatt is very smart, tells poems, can draw, write, is good in maths, likes encouragement! AND he needs a family soon!  
He has HIV and needs a family very soon.   To learn about raising an HIV child, please visit projecthopeful.org!

There is less than a week to be a  21.3.10 Warrior but it isn't too late! 

Please CLICK HERE to learn how you can be a prayer warrior to one of Reece's Rainbow's waiting children!

Then, contact Sandra Baldwin to be matched with a child as a 21.3.10 Warrior!



Such a lovely boy! Are you Wyatt's family?

Wyatt  (20) Boy, Born May 4, 2004 SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!! Diagnosis: HIV –second clinic stage, ART (antiretroviral therapy) hourly, daily.   Very smart, tells poems, can draw, write, is good in mathematics, participates in children’s activities, likes encouragement.  For more info and parent support on adopting and raising a child with HIV, please visit www.projecthopeful.org    Contact Andrea directly for more information

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Angel of the Week

Blogging about Larsen syndrome...

There is an adorable little one listed on Reeces Rainbow who was born with Larsen syndrome. She is such an adorable little girl, only 1 year old!



HERE is a blog written by a mom who is raising her daughter who has Larsen syndrome. She is a beautiful little girl. For anyone who might be considering adopting Delilah, I thought this blog would be an interesting blog to visit. :)

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Blogging about Larsen syndrome...

Friday Focus on Down Syndrome - Kevin Thaman

What a privilege this week's Friday Focus has been for me! I was able to interview Mr. Kevin Thaman on his recent design competition win!

So, what competition am I referring to? The Greater Cincinnati Down Syndrome Association's 2010 World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) t-shirt design contest!

You can read about Kevin, 25 years of age, in this article in his local news, which is where I initially heard of him. The DSAGC sold over 400 of the t-shirts which were made available for friends, families and community members who will wear their 321 t-shirts on March 21, 2010 to demonstrate their support for all people living full lives with Down syndrome in their community!


I was privileged enough to get to interview Kevin and he sent us some photos, including his t-shirt design so you can see the winning design!

Kevin is 25 years old and lives in Ft Wright, KY with his parents, two brothers and his dog, Max. 


He enjoys country music and he designed a country music picture which proudly is displayed in his room.

I asked if he's done other design projects and he shared some photos of a powerpoint show he made called "Everybody Counts".

Kevin is a delightful young man! He was happy and excited when he found out he'd won the t-shirt design contest!

Well, I've kept you in suspense long enough, here is his winning t-shirt design! Thank you, Kevin, for letting us get to know you a little bit! 

Though you can no longer order Kevin's winning t-shirt, Reece's Rainbow still has 21.3.10 Project t-shirts, mugs, water bottles, journals, and more AVAILABLE HERE.

Also, you can grab the 21.3.10 Project buttons to put on your blogs, facebook, myspace, twitter, etc!

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Friday Focus on Down Syndrome - Kevin Thaman

Meet the Families of Reece's Rainbow - The Burman Family

I want to introduce you to the Burman family. They are adopting from Eastern Europe!






I've asked some questions to help you get to know Brian and Shelly Burman!

Please, meet the Burman Family!

Tell me about yourself and your family.  Brian and I have been married for 4 years and have 2 biological children and 1 adopted son waiting for us in Heaven. We love our family and the life we have been blessed with. Brian works hard in law enforcement while Shelly home schools our children as well as other children.

What can you tell me about the children you are adopting?
Our family is adopting 3 beautiful angels we refer to as "the triplets". Yulia, Ilya, and Andrey P all are 'chromosomally enhanced' and are 5 years old. Yulia's name will be Evelyn, Andrey will be Owen, and Ilya will be called Hudson

Tell me why you decided to adopt a child with special needs?
We always knew we would expand our family through adoption. Our first adoption was a baby boy born 16 weeks early and passed away after 5 weeks. He was going to have many special needs. Through our sweet Mason we found RR and knew this was where we were being led. With Shelly's work as a former special education teacher, our family has been blessed to meet and teach many children with varying special needs.

What would be your advice to anyone wanting to adopt?

Go forth!! Remember, as a friend once told me, God will equips the called.

The Burman's will be travelling in March so please keep their family in your prayers and if you can help in any way, thank you!


For other ways to help the children from Reece's Rainbow, please read the How You Can Help page on the Reece's Rainbow site! If you are looking for a gift idea for someone, your donation can be your gift!


Are you adopting? If you'd like to be featured on the 'Meet the Families' segment, please CLICK HERE. We'd love to feature your family!

If you have a blog, we'd love for you to put our Meet the Families Button on it!






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Meet the Families of Reece's Rainbow - The Burman Family

as one we can...

A small update on Timofy...After going thru 8 rounds of chemo his little body was getting beat up. There is a family friend who is in country who supplied medical needs for him that the orphanage wasn't willing to pay for. Since then he's doing better. Here he is beaming his smile.. :)

So as we move forward to help out 2 more families this week, please remember little Timofy whose being adopted by the Enskat family. He's battling Leukemia and needs our prayers as he under goes the bitter treatments. Please keep the Enskat family in your prayers too as they entrust their little boy to Gods hands.~thank you.

So whose this little pumpkin you ask? This little guy is Duncan. He's soon going to be joining his family, the Freeman's! He'll have an older sister & older brother...Lucky guy, we all know how the babies in the family get treated :D

You can follow the Freeman's journey to Duncan on the blog: http://www.duncanhope4ahome.blogspot.com/

And then there's Misha..So dang cute!! He'll be going home to become a McDonald..I just love this little picture of him, he's so sweet :) He too will be the baby & of 3 sisters non the less...Talk about all that lovin' he's been missing being replaced quickly! I just love it!



you can follow on the McDonald's journey & see more cute pic's of Misha here: http://www.mcdonaldadoption.blogspot.com/

All our gifts, no matter how big or how small are blessed by God to help pave the way for his little children to come home to the families He's chosen for them from the beginning of time. He will stretch every cent, no doubt!~
Our gifts can be given here: www.reecesrainbow.com/familysponsorshipgettingcloser.html
Blessings to you all!

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as one we can...

Angel of the Week

Meet Valerie!

Varsha is going to be a blessing to any family who is able to adopt her.   She is clearly doing well in a "family" setting, loves school, and will be able to adjust quickly to her new adoptive family.   Maybe she is what is missing from your family!

You can be Valerie's 21.3.10 Warrior! 

Please CLICK HERE to learn how you can be a prayer warrior to help her find her forever family! 

Then, contact Sandra Baldwin to be matched with a child as a 21.3.10 Warrior

She can be found here: http://reecesrainbow.org/oldergirls.htm

Valerie Born October 4, 2002 "My name means RAIN" Little Varsha is one of the prettiest little girls you will ever see!  She is 6 years old and unfortunately, has had at least 2 adoptions fall through for various reasons.  We are anxiously seeking a family to adopt her quickly.  Varsha  is  a healthy, happy little girl.  Varsha came to the orphanage in October 2002. The police had found her at a bus stand in East Delhi.   According to doctor’s assessment she was one day old.  According to the doctor, Varsha was born prematurely at 28 – 30 weeks.   Initial days she suffered from dehydration, hypothermia and neonatal jaundice and pneumonia.  Her weight during that time was 1.1kg.   She had to be hospitalised for a week Her chromosomal check showed that she is a Down syndrome child.   Bottle-feeding was introduced in the month of November 2002.   By end of November her weight was 1.75kg.   On 7th March 2006,  Varsha took her first 5 steps on her own!  She followed a few instructions like ‘hold the napkin’, give it back’ etc.  She was able to use a spoon to feed herself with ice cream.    She started going to a special school in April 2007. She enjoys her school.  On holidays it looks like she missed her school.   She spends 5yrs in the school.   5 days a week.   Varsha loves to dance.  She also loves to drum on her toy drum or tables etc.   She has beautiful silky hair.   She helps in dressing up and wearing her shoes.   She follows instruction most of the time. She shows affection. She seeks attention. She loves to be carried. She needs big hugs from her caregivers. At present her weight is 14kgs; height is 100.5 cms and HC is 44cms Varsha is going to be a blessing to any family who is able to adopt her.   She is clearly doing well in a "family" setting, loves school, and will be able to adjust quickly to her new adoptive family.    Married couples only Must be married a minimum of 3 years No spouse over the age of 48 No more than 4 children at home Child should become the youngest in the family, if possible Both parents travel, one trip, 7-10 days Please contact Tami Davidson at Dillon International for more information.

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Angel of the Week

Friday Focus on Down Syndrome - Down Syndrome of Louisville

 "This is [a] project that puts a stamp on Louisville that people with Down Syndrome have value and contribute to the community"

Groundbreaking Held For New Down Syndrome Center  

(click headline to read on the WLKY web site)

 LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Down Syndrome of Louisville broke ground this weekend on a new life-long learning center.

Construction on the facility will begin soon on six acres along Hurstbourne Lane in the Stony Brook area.

Among those on hand was Gov. Steve Beshear.The $3.5 million center will be the first of its kind in the nation.

"This is project that puts a stamp on Louisville that people with Down Syndrome have value and contribute to the community," Down Syndrome of Louisville spokeswoman Diana Merzweiler said.

Kosair Charities provided the lead gift of $1.5 million.Down Syndrome of Louisville has been recognized as a national leader in the Down Syndrome community.


Thank you to WLKY.com for this brilliant article! Please be sure to visit their informative web site!

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Friday Focus on Down Syndrome - Down Syndrome of Louisville

Brian and Brady! New Grants!

Brian and Brady

Brian and Brady are both in the same orphanage and can be adopted together! The two of them have each been the recipient of a generous donation towards the cost of adopting them! So, whoever is blessed enough to choose either of them or both of them have a jump on fund raising for their adoption(s)!

But they need a family SOON! They are fortunate to be in one of the nicer baby houses where they are but please know, they can not be adopted from the place they will be sent if they are not adopted before they are transferred! 

So, two beautiful boys that would be a blessing to any family! Please share about them with the people you know and help them find their forever families!

Brian (23) Boy, Born November 25, 2005   Brian is a bundle of love :) Blonde hair and big brown eyes, he is waiting for his family to come for him. He was born with hydronephrosis and does have hypthyroidism.   Brian is already 4 1/2 and needs a family quickly. He can not be adopted from the place he will be sent. He is blessed to still be at the baby house, which is one of the nicer ones. We have had several families adopt from here, and this region is a beautiful place to visit. There are MANY children with Down syndrome and other special needs waiting in this orphanage who can be adopted together.   Hope someone will consider Brian! I have $2165 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Brady (23) Boy, Born September 23, 2004   Look at the blue eyes on this little guy! Healthy and happy, he is facing the institution soon.     Brady is already 5 1/2 and needs a family quickly. He can not be adopted from the place he will be sent. He is blessed to still be at the baby house, which is one of the nicer ones. We have had several families adopt from here, and this region is a beautiful place to visit. There are MANY children with Down syndrome and other special needs waiting in this orphanage who can be adopted together. I have $2145 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

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Brian and Brady! New Grants!