Promoting Communication in Your Non-Verbal Child

Bringing 7 year old YANA home on July 4th was my first real encounter with a non verbal older child. Developmentally she is about 1-2 years old, but as of yet has few if any sounds besides growling and spitting :). As the days went by I started to find myself frustrated at her lack of communication. Even an infant seemed more purposeful in their interactions. But soon I started to notice little things she did, she WAS trying to communicate with me, I just did not yet know her language! I love the following article, as it offers a number of common sense tips to get the communication flowing between you and your non verbal child.

For the non-verbal child, all the rules of floor time still apply: Give 20 - 30 minutes of your undivided attention, several times per day. Build on the child's favorite behaviors. You are going to let your son or daughter select the activity through natural preferences. That includes fiddling with twigs, hand-flapping, staring into space, slamming doors, or whatever the activity may be, no matter how strange. This activity is comforting to your child, and it's the thing that will best motivate her. However, you should have lots of toys or activities handy so that your child may have the option to choose different things. If she drops her book and picks up a doll, you're going to follow that lead.

Read more from this article HERE


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Promoting Communication in Your Non-Verbal Child

Friday Focus on Down Syndrome - A Short Video

This is a bit of a step to the left for the Reece's Rainbow blog, but I am encouraged by this rather big name advert showing the truth about growing up with a person with Down Syndrome. So, here is the advert and thank you to the people at Oreos for sharing the dignity and love that is Down Syndrome.

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Friday Focus on Down Syndrome - A Short Video

Angel of the Week

Meet Ilya P!

Ilya looks like Reece did as a baby!

And... he needs a family! He's adorable isn't he?
 If you would like more information on him or any of the other children, please contact us!

Ilya P. has $0 currently in his adoption grant fund. So, even if you aren't able to adopt a child presently, you can still help him find his forever family by donating towards his grant fund. 

Please scroll down to grab our Child of the Week button

He can be found here: http://reecesrainbow.org/atrisk.html

fbrj-12Ilya P.Date of Birth: July 2006Gender: MaleEyes: GrayHair: DarkCharacter: sociable

One might think this is actually a baby picture of REECE!  But it's not...this is Ilya and he needs a family! 

SINGLE MOMS WELCOME!I have $0 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Please grab our Child of the Week Button for your blog. Each week this button will change to show the current week's child (you only need to add the button once to your blog). The children that will be featured will be ones with $0 or very low adoption grant funds. By hosting our Child of the Week button we are hoping to not only raise awareness for that particular child but also to hopefully raise the amount in their fund. These funds have proven to help families who would otherwise be qualified and able to adopt them, except for the cost of an international adoption, feel able to commit to bringing home and giving the precious gift of a family to these angels.







Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.

<center><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/search/label/Child%20of%20the%20Week"><img width="100%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/RR/childoftheweek.png" /></a><br /> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/search/label/Child%20of%20the%20Week"><img width="75%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/RR/childweekgrab.png" /></a><br /> </center>

Thank you for all you do to support and help Reece's Rainbow!

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Angel of the Week

Who 'ARE' the 'R' Word?

This post I'm going to share part of is possibly the best post about the 'R' word that I've seen. I can only suggest you go read the entire post and share it, as well.

When I read it, I realised that we have truly NOT said enough about the misuse of the word. I realised that it is and does attack the future for any persons with cognitive delays or disabilities.

So, please go to Dave Hingsburger's blog. He VERY KINDLY gave me permission to quote part of this but honestly, go read it in it's entirety. It is far better. Dave is an author and speaker on disabilities and has worked in the field of disabilities for over 30 years. Thank you, Dave!

The people who 'ARE' what the 'R' word refers to have a long history.

They have been torn from families and cast into institutions.

They have been beaten, hosed down, over medicated, under nourished, sterilized, brutalized, victimized.

They have been held captive, have been enslaved, have had their being given over to the state.

They are the group in society most likely to be physically, sexually and financially abused.

They are the group least likely to see justice, experience fair play, receive accommodation or support within the justice system.

They are the group most likely to be bullied, most likely to be tyrannized, most likely to be the target of taunts.

They are the least likely to have their hurt taken seriously, physical hurt, emotional hurt, spiritual hurt.

They are most likely to be ignored when they speak of pain, have their words diminished by an assumption of diminished capacity.

They are the least likely to ever be seen as equal, as equivalent and entirely whole.

They are the victim of some of the most widespread and pervasive prejudices imaginable.

They are those that the Nazi's thought unworthy of life, they are those targeted by geneticists for non-existence, they need fear those who wear black hats and those who wear white coats.

They are educated only under protest, they are included as a concession rather than a right, they are neighbours only because petitions failed to keep them out.

They are kept from the leadership of their own movement, they are ignored by the media, their stories are told to glorify Gods that they do not worship.

That they are a 'people' is questioned even though they have a unique history, a unique voice, a unique perception of the world.

That they are a 'community' is questioned even though they have commonality, they have mutual goals, they have a collective vision of the future.

That they are have a legitimate place at the table is questioned simply because no one's ever offered a seat.

They are a people.

They ask for respect and receive pity.

They ask for fair play and are offered charity.

They ask for justice and wipe spittle off their face.

They ask to silence words that brutalize them and their concerns are trivialized.

They ask to walk safely through their communities and yet bullies go unpunished.

They ask to participate fully and they are denied access and accommodation and acceptance.

And this is NOW.

This is the people who have walked the land of the long corridor, who have waited at the frontier of our bias to finally be here, now. They have survived. They have come home. They have continued, silently and without fanfare, to take hold of freedom and live with dignity. They have given everything they have for what others take for granted. Their civil liberties are perceived as 'gifts' as 'tokens' and as 'charity'. Their rights are seen as privileges. Their movement is, as of yet, unacknowledged. They are a people recently emancipated, new citizens, who are tentatively discovering their voice.

It is a voice not yet heard.

It is a voice not yet respected.

It is a voice not yet understood.

But it is speaking.

And when it is finally heard. The world will change.

The 'R' word is an attack on a people who know discrimination. Tremble when you say it. Because those who should know better will be held accountable to those who know best.

*The above quote is from Dave Hingsburger's blog. It was used by permission but go read it in it's entirety! Thank you!

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Who 'ARE' the 'R' Word?

Angel of the Week

Meet Ivan B!

"Ivan is a very good boy, loving and affectionate!"

Ivan is a real cutie! So glad to have an updated photo of him and some basic medical information. From his medical records: delay of psycho-motor development, myopia, atrial septum defect, retinopathy (common for children with DS). His caregivers describe him as a very good boy, loving and affectionate!If you would like more information on him or any of the other children, please contact us!


Ivan B. has $0 currently in his adoption grant fund. So, even if you aren't able to adopt a child presently, you can still help him find his forever family by donating towards his grant fund. 

Please scroll down to grab our Child of the Week button

He can be found here: http://reecesrainbow.org/waitingchild13.html

tpw6 -13
Ivan B.
Brothers and sisters no
Date of Birth: January 2009
Gender: Male
Eyes: Gray
Hair: light brown
Nature: Quiet

  

Ivan is a real cutie!  So glad to have an updated photo of him and some basic medical information.  From his medical records:  delay of psycho-motor development, myopia, atrial septum defect, retinopathy (common for children with DS).   His caregivers describe him as a very good boy, loving and affectionate!

 

 I have $0 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Please grab our Child of the Week Button for your blog. Each week this button will change to show the current week's child (you only need to add the button once to your blog). The children that will be featured will be ones with $0 or very low adoption grant funds. By hosting our Child of the Week button we are hoping to not only raise awareness for that particular child but also to hopefully raise the amount in their fund. These funds have proven to help families who would otherwise be qualified and able to adopt them, except for the cost of an international adoption, feel able to commit to bringing home and giving the precious gift of a family to these angels.




Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.

<center><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/search/label/Child%20of%20the%20Week"><img width="100%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/RR/childoftheweek.png" /></a><br /> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/search/label/Child%20of%20the%20Week"><img width="75%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/RR/childweekgrab.png" /></a><br /> </center>

Thank you for all you do to support and help Reece's Rainbow!

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Angel of the Week

The gift of a "Servant's Heart"

I don't post on here as often as I'd like to, but felt led today to share my thoughts.

Yesterday I read a blog post from one of our families who are in Ukraine now adopting two little boys who desperately needed to get out of that orphanage they were in. Her story resonated with me, and will probably resonate with you too.

"This morning at the bus stop I heard some soft crying. I crossed the street and I noticed a black puppy struggling under the bench at the bus stop. It was howling in pain. It must have been hit by a car and crawled off the road. My bus arrived just then so I got on and left. I couldn't help but cry for that little pup. I'm such a dork. I had to pull myself together or my day would be ruined. Crappy, unfair, hurtful things happen every day, all over the world. The only reason I was upset is because I witnessed the hurting puppy. I don't cry every day for all the hurt puppies all over the world. Why today? Crappy, unfair, hurtful things are happening to precious children every day, all over the world. We don't cry for them because we don't witness what is going on. We don't hear about it. We don't know about it. We don't want to, do we? Because then we might have to get a little closer to the edge. "

Every single day, God puts opportunities into our paths to do right by someone else. You see someone or something in need, and that voice in your head makes you think "gosh, how sad", but it's usually not loud enough to make you DO something about it. It could be this puppy, it could be a homeless person in need of a bottle of water. It could be an elderly person who needs help with their groceries or just crossing the street. It seems so cliche and "Girl Scoutish" to just take a moment and do the right thing, but I was a Girl Scout through my senior year in high school, and that experience taught me compassion and leadership skills and a sense of confidence that I could make things happen in my world if I chose to. I can tell you without question that God is WATCHING. We're all guilty of walking away or ignoring that voice...we're busy or late or are nervous to help a total stranger...the traffic light changed...we don't have any cash on us...he's just a drunk....what will I do with this puppy?....somebody else will come along to help....oh, the orphan problem is way too huge for little me to do anything about it....you can't save them all. If I had $1 for every time someone tried to convince me of that, I would be a rich woman. Don't tell me that we can't save the world...we save the "world" of an orphan with Down syndrome very day!

Now this message is not to judge this mom because she wasn't able to stop and help this puppy. This message is to comment on how she felt about leaving it behind. It's a pesky little thing called COMPASSION...and the gift of a servant's heart. It moves us to be open to witnessing the needs in this world, and being open to hear God when He speaks to us...whether it's a puppy or an orphan or picking up a bottle thrown on the side of the road. DO THE RIGHT THING, ALL THE TIME. Reece's Rainbow gives you no choice but to step to the edge and to witness the need of these children first hand. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of faces staring back at you from our website. Don't be afraid to let it in. The pain and heartache is gut-wrenching, but it also motivates you to step up to the plate and say 'Here I am, Lord".

I and our amazing team of volunteers and advocates work tirelessly to keep these children front and center, in the face of people both inside and outside of the Down syndrome community. Many are just oblivious to the crisis, and are appaled (as I was) when they first learn of what life can be like for these kids abroad. It is particularly moving when someone writes me to say "oh my goodness, I can't stop crying, I had no idea, what can I do?" RR isn't just about fundraising, but raising awareness is a 24/7 job. The need never ends, so the work never ends. No, not everyone is in a position to adopt a child for many reasons...some people aren't even in a position to donate. But everyone is in a position to pray and to share Reece's Rainbow with others.

My husband and I joined our new church here yesterday morning. (Grace United Methodist in Gaithersburg, Maryland). And I was grateful to our new pastor for giving me 5 minutes to introduce myself and share the way God is working in my life through my son, Reece. (as if I could cram everything I have to say about the orphan crisis into 5 minutes! lol) Many people in the church do not know me well, even though we have attended there regularly over the course of the last two years, because many Sundays, I choose to stay home and "work". 70 hours a week includes weekends. These children are languishing in orphanages and mental institutions. Every minute that goes by for them is excruciatingly lonely, boring, hungry and hopeless. They have no concept of the days of the week, they all run together in endless suffering. God commands us to rest on the Sabbath, but this isn't "work" for me. It is service to God and to His children, all of whom He knows by name and has given a voice of hope to through Reece's Rainbow. So resting really isn't an option...asking for help from others IS.

After my few minutes in front of the congregation, so many folks were moved, they had no idea of the problem, they were "so proud of me"....I appreciate that greatly, and it always feels good to know that folks like what RR is doing. But I am not interested in being honored or uplifted for this work. I am interested in people stepping up to HELP ME and to feel as deeply passionate about serving as I do. Turn that burden in your heart into action. RR is coming into our very busiest time of the year. There have been no "lazy days of summer" for me as we prepare for:

1. Updating and extending our powerful ministry video http://bit.ly/RRMinistryVid
2. Upcoming Buddy Walks (which we still need volunteers and donations for!, www.reecesrainbow.org/buddywalks.html )
3. Our Christmas Angel Tree will be here before I can blink. (www.reecesrainbow.org/angeltree2010.html)
4. We're still raising funds for our mission trip to the DownsEd Convention in Ukraine (Sep 17-23), empowering birth families of children with Down syndrome there (www.reecesrainbow.org/downsedkiev.html)
5. Serving as the keynote speaker for the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Pathfinder Village (www.pathfindervillage.org)
6. My heart is burdened for the last minute financial needs of some of our adopting families, which is preventing them from submitting dossiers and traveling
7. Participating in the Raleigh, NC Down Syndrome Golf Tournament (October 2)
8. Accepting the Congressional Angel in Adoption Award (October 4-6 in Washington, DC)
9. Visiting with RR families in Richmond, VA and Raleigh, NC for their Buddy Walks (October 9 and 10)
10. Visiting with RR families in Alabama and attending the Birmingham Buddy Walk (October 13-17)
11. Growing our RR Canada program and raising awareness there
12. Expanding our ministry into more of Latin America, Asia, and Africa
13. Seeking more media opportunities outside of our traditional Down syndrome community
14. Reaching out for greater church support, from all faiths
15. Further emphasis on keeping the at risk children from being sent to the institutions
16. Greater exposure for the Older Children
17. Further growth of our HIV and Other Angels programs
18. Preparing for NEXT YEAR's World Down Syndrome Day in Bulgaria (www.reecesrainbow.org/connectingtherainbow.html)
19. Preparing for the launch of the "Know The Truth" campaign for next Mother's Day already!
20. Maximizing our presence on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and the Cambridge "Who's Who" Leadership Forum

And somewhere in between all of this "executive/strategic leadership stuff" are the even more critical daily activities of answering new family e-mails, processing donations, posting new kids, updating FSP's, working through crises, building new agency relationships, seeking new children and new country programs, budgets, Board Meetings, etc etc etc. It ALL has to be done to maintain and grow this ministry....
There are just SO many ways you can help...you CAN make a difference. Put your own servant's heart to work and watch your efforts change the course of a child's life! I can't do all of this by myself! RR has only grown as much as it has because of the commitment and dedication of so many volunteers and advocates who share the same passion.
Write me if you have questions, and thanks to ALL of you for everything you do to bring Reece's Rainbow into the lives of others. bamaroberts@comcast.net
Andrea Roberts, Executive Director
Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry
www.reecesrainbow.org

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The gift of a "Servant's Heart"

as one we can the lococo's family

This little peanut is Jenny & her family is almost ready paper wise to be able to go bring her home. They still need some financial help & it'd be wonderful if we, the RR family can show our love. Remember that no amount is to small~God multiplies in mighty ways! Please keep Jenny & her family in your prayers this week as they walk this path :)


You can follow the Lococo families journey here http://www.hopeforeverychild.blogspot.com/rychild.blogspot.com/
and you can give your gifts of love to help them bring Jenny home by clicking here
www.reecesrainbow.org/sponsorlococo.html
You can help spread the word by re posting this on your FB page & by posting the family button for Jenny on your blog. You can find it here on the left or on their personal blog.


Blessings to you all~In His service,

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as one we can the lococo's family

Angel of the Week

Meet Dmitry!

"Little Dmitry is carrying the torch for all the children in his region!"

Little Dmitriy is a precious baby boy, who carries the torch for all of the other children in this region. He is registered and available to be adopted, along with all of the other children on this page, but we need to find a committed family for him and complete his adoption before we will be given medical information on the other children.
If you would like more information on him or any of the other children, please contact us!

If there is any family out there who is willing to take a leap of faith to adopt this baby, thereby giving all the rest of the children in this region a greater chance of being saved, please step forward!
Dmitry has $0 currently in his adoption grant fund. So, even if you aren't able to adopt a child presently, you can still help him find his forever family by donating towards his grant fund. 

Please scroll down to grab our Child of the Week button

He can be found here: http://reecesrainbow.org/eelittles.html

1him -16  (www.reecesrainbow.org/waitingchild16.html)
Dmitry P.
Brothers and sisters no
Date of Birth: April 2009
Gender: Male
Eyes: Gray
Hair: light brown
Nature: Quiet

Little Dmitriy is a precious baby boy, who carries the torch for all of the other children in this region. He is registered and available to be adopted, along with all of the other children on this page, but we need to find a committed family for him and complete his adoption before we will be given medical information on the other children.

 

 

If there is any family out there who is willing to take a leap of faith to adopt this baby, thereby giving all the rest of the children in this region a greater chance of being saved, please step forward! Full medical info will be available to you once the first part of your dossier is submitted! 

 

SINGLE MOMS WELCOME!

Please grab our Child of the Week Button for your blog. Each week this button will change to show the current week's child (you only need to add the button once to your blog). The children that will be featured will be ones with $0 or very low adoption grant funds. By hosting our Child of the Week button we are hoping to not only raise awareness for that particular child but also to hopefully raise the amount in their fund. These funds have proven to help families who would otherwise be qualified and able to adopt them, except for the cost of an international adoption, feel able to commit to bringing home and giving the precious gift of a family to these angels.






Be sure to right click on the box below and then select all.

<center><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/search/label/Child%20of%20the%20Week"><img width="100%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/RR/childoftheweek.png" /></a><br /> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/search/label/Child%20of%20the%20Week"><img width="75%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/RR/childweekgrab.png" /></a><br /> </center>

Thank you for all you do to support and help Reece's Rainbow!

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Angel of the Week

Our Ministry Video

If you haven't seen our ministry video, it has been newly updated. This is an important time to share this video as we go into our Buddy Walk season!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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Our Ministry Video

Featured Special Need: Chiari Malformation

What are Chiari malformations?

Chiari malformations (CMs) are structural defects in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance. Normally the cerebellum and parts of the brain stem sit in an indented space at the lower rear of the skull, above the foramen magnum (a funnel-like opening to the spinal canal). When part of the cerebellum is located below the foramen magnum, it is called a Chiari malformation.

CMs may develop when the bony space is smaller than normal, causing the cerebellum and brain stem to be pushed downward into the foramen magnum and into the upper spinal canal. The resulting pressure on the cerebellum and brain stem may affect functions controlled by these areas and block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the clear liquid that surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord — to and from the brain.
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You can read more from the above article HERE!



Check out this blog for great information!


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Featured Special Need: Chiari Malformation

Mission Trip to Ukraine/Connecting the Rainbow

In only four years, Reece's Rainbow has found adoptive families for more than 300 children  with Down syndrome and other special needs around the world!  The next step in the growth of our ministry is to educate and empower the birth families of children with Down syndrome living abroad.  This is the only path to social change and inclusion for our children!  We need the support of our national Down Syndrome parent groups to help us with this mission! "Connecting the Rainbow" is our birth family outreach program.  It is led by Shelley Bedford (family pictured above), who is a member of the RR Leadership Team, a former special education teacher, and adoptive parent of three children with Down syndrome from Ukraine, Serbia, and Bulgaria.   CTR provides fellowship, support, education, and therapeutic resources for the birth families of children with Down syndrome in foreign countries.  We already have a strong program in Bulgaria, and are building a relationship in Ukraine now as well!  Ukraine is our largest and most successful adoption program, so our efforts there are vital.   Please read more about Connecting the Rainbow here! "In my heart there’s a passion, in my mind a realization of the possibilities, and in my living room, proof of the combination of the two." --Meredith Cornish, RR Director of Family Adoption Services for Ukraine, with her adopted son, Micah Reece's Rainbow will be attending the DownsEd Convention on September 22, 2010 in Kiev, Ukraine!  Your donations towards the cost of this trip will make it possible for our leadership team to: Meet the members of the Down Syndrome Association of birth families in Kiev Celebrate their brand new Down syndrome therapy clinic Build a partnership with them and DownsEd to further support people with Down syndrome throughout Ukraine Reach out to families living in rural Ukraine who have even less access to information and services Meet with a special needs “club” in one region that provides therapies and aid to families raising their children with Down syndrome and other special needs.  Visit several orphanages and finally meet the directors, caregivers, and children in person Plant the seed of truth about the potential and value of our children with Down syndrome Educate the staff on simple techniques to better stimulate and encourage the children Bring toys, therapeutic items, and translated literature for the staff to use with all of the SN children Share photos and stories of the children who have already been adopted from Ukraine and how well they are doing now Improve the quality of care of our orphans with Down syndrome while they are waiting for their "forever families". Solidify our relationships there to improve the process of adoption going forward You can not put a price on the value of a face to face meeting, and we pray this trip will open doors and hearts for future trips, including ones where other volunteers and missionaries can join us!     We estimate the cost of this trip to be approx $10,000, so we need your help!   Even $10 or $20 from each person who recieves this e-mail will go a long way!   We also encourage all of our DSA's to consider a larger gift, to show your support for these courageous families abroad. Click here for more details about this trip, and to DONATE NOW!

Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry | PO Box 4024 | Gaithersburg | MD | 20885

  

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Mission Trip to Ukraine/Connecting the Rainbow

Our 'as one' family~the Westbrooks

Sorry for the delay..The computer has somewhat became an enemy in our home & while there's so much wonderful things that can be done with it & on it..it can wreck havoc on a home if allowed. It's so easy for me to get sucked into the online world & I'll end up finding myself spending way to much time on. When this happens it's my family that suffers. As a result I've been wrestling with the Lord & had committed to taking a good break away from it. Hence the lack of 'As one we can' posts & no updates on my personal blog. But God has done great things during this time & I fully intend on being disciplined on how much time I allow myself to be in the online world while using it for HIS glory & not my own.

Soooo...onto our family!

Meet the Westbrook family. A beautiful family of 9, soon to be a family of 11.Their looking forward to bringing home 2 beautiful little ladies~Magda & Arianna.Their dossiers been sent and now their in the waiting stage to see when they'll travel to that beautiful Eastern European country that many of us came to love while picking up our blessings. They no doubt will fall in love with it too :) I'm not sure if it's the country or the awesome reason that we're privileged to be there that causes us to love Ukraine, but none the less..I know I just loved it & really look forward to returning again someday. Please, please be prayerful in your giving. Remember that any amount is a blessing & is helpful. Know that our God is in control & that His hands carry each family as they follow where He is leading them.

Sweet Arianna & Magda. Soooo cute!

You can follow the Westbrooks journey here http://www.bringinghomeourgirls.blogspot.com/

You can give your gifts of love here http://www.reecesrainbow.org/sponsorwestbrook2.htmland you can find their button to post on your blog on the left of theirs :)

Deuteronomy 31:8 "And the Lord, His is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."

It's the Lord whose lead each family on their journeys..let us pray for them together cause it's an easy area for the enemy to attack!
Blessings to you all~

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Our 'as one' family~the Westbrooks