Reece's Rainbow: February 2011

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Angels and Apert syndrome

I was jumping around on the internet looking for something inspiring related to "Apert syndrome". I read some facts, some articles, and some blogs. But in the end this video is what set hope in my heart for little JONAH[listed on Reeces Rainbow] to find his family!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Angel of the Week

Meet Albina!

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

Isn't she just a cutie?!

Albina does have a septal defect and will need to be treated for this once she's in a home. Maybe she is who is missing from your family! If you would like more information on her or any of the other children, please contact us!

Albina has $15 currently in her adoption grant fund. So, even if you aren't able to adopt a child presently, you can still help her find her forever family by donating towards her grant fund.

She can be found here: http://reecesrainbow.org/albina-15h

Albina 15H

1qkqy-15
Date of Birth: September 20, 2007
Gender: Female
Eyes: Gray
Hair: brown
Nature: Quiet
Albina is a cutie

She does have a septal defect that will need attention.

$15 is available 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.

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

Saturday, February 19, 2011

How Are YOU Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day?

Connecting the Rainbow is celebrating WDSD in Sofia, Bulgaria this year! Connecting the Rainbow is Reece's Rainbow's Birth Family Outreach Project.

Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with Reece's Rainbow,

LIVE from SOFIA, BULGARIA!

March 17-22, 2011

Our Connecting the Rainbow program has organized a 3-day convention to present an educational and INSPIRATIONAL weekend to birth parents of children with Down syndrome in Bulgaria.

In partnership with the Down Syndrome Parents Association in Sofia, a team of Down syndrome professionals… including music therapists, developmental pediatricians, and representatives from DownsEd… will join Shelley Bedford and her team of parent volunteers to bring a weekend of fellowship and information to families who have chosen to raise their children at home. "One extra chromosome unites us", and this is a vital message to share with these families in person.

The Tsarsko Selo Spa Hotel has offered convention space free of charge to the Down Syndrome group, and we are grateful for their generosity. This weekend is HISTORIC in nature, and presents such an incredible opportunity to not only meet these brave families in person, but to *empower* them to reach out to new families and enact social change within their own country. This is a very long term goal, but what a monumental first step that Reece's Rainbow can be a part of!

So much positive change has already occured in Bulgaria as a result of our ministry's work there. We have found adoptive families for close to (50) children with Down syndrome and other special needs from Bulgaria in the last two years. It is an honor to serve those orphans, and an honor to work closely with the birth parents as well.

We are expecting a total cost of approximately $13,000. Your gifts will help to cover such expenses as:

airfare/hotel/food for our traveling volunteers
educational software and therapeutic equipment
promotional/printed/informational items for the families
gifts and activities for the children in attendance

Please consider giving a tax deductible donation to Connecting the Rainbow's WDSD in Sofia, Bulgaria! Even if you aren't able to travel to Sofia to be part of the conference, your donations will absolutely be an important part of this historic event!

World Down Syndrome Day is for EVERYONE to celebrate! Our amazing graphic for this year is shown above, and is available on lots of shirts and other items for purchase in our CafePress store. Proceeds from the sale of these items go to our Voice of Hope Fund.

You can now visit the Reece's Rainbow shop without leaving this page!
Click on 'Places to Visit' on the toolbar at the bottom of the screen and you can shop right here!

Thank you for your support!

Any questions can be directed to shelley@reecesrainbow.org

Please be sure to post this on Facebook and all of your family blogs, to help us raise awareness for an important step in the evolution of Reece's Rainbow.

Friday, February 18, 2011

The Egan's & their girl's..

Emily and Mi

randa will be the Egan's 8th and 9th children, their 5th and 6th adoptions, but their firsts from Eastern Europe. Jackie and Tim fell in love with Emily (in pink) and found out about her best friend Miranda with her. They just knew that what God was asking them to do was to trust Him and step out in faith to bring home both the girls. They're ready!

But funds are still very much needed....
The Egan's really need our help..I know I always say that, but it's because it's true, of each family. Jackie and Tim need our help to bring their daughters home. Emily and Miranda will both be 9 soon, 9! They've waited a mighty long time to know what the word 'family' means. Please prayerfully consider giving a donation...no matter how big or small, every bit is a step closer to bringing the girls home.

*Gifts can be given to the Egan's here: http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsoregan
and their family blog can be followed here: http://www.faithcanmovethemountains.blogspot.com/
**Please note: They haven't shared the news that they are also adopting Miranda to their family yet, so please be sensitive when commenting.

Please pray for them as they prepare to bring their daughters home and for them when they do share with their families!

*To encourage more donations would you be so kind as to cross post this to your FB page and/or your blog? The more we spread the word, the more help can be poured in the cup to over flow :D Thanks so much and may your week be filled with His love, His peace and His will in your life.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Echolalia

Nowadays, it's thought that as many as 80% of blind and visually impaired children exhibit echolalia in their speech patterns. It's an ordinary part of language development (because it's an excellent way to practice and learn real language skills) and is often seen in normally sighted children, but their period of echolalic-type speech tends to be much shorter.

http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/echolalia.html

**** Reeces Rainbow currently has many boys and girls listed with bilateral blindness or vision impairments. I urge you to consider adopting them into your family.

Monday, February 14, 2011

World Down Syndrome Day! LIVE from SOFIA, BULGARIA!

March 21, 2011 is World Down Syndrome Day , and this year, Reece's Rainbow will be celebrating right along with our fellow birth families living in Sofia, Bulgaria!

A special 3-day convention has been organized in partnership with the Bulgarian Down Syndrome Parents' Association. Our "Connecting the Rainbow " volunteers and a team of remarkable Down syndrome specialists will travel to Bulgaria to provide a weekend of education, information, and INSPIRATION for these most courageous families.

Your tax deductible donations to fund this trip will make it possible for these Bulgarian families to enact social change within their own country. Letting them know they are not alone, that this one little chromosome truly does unite us all, is so powerful! Providing them with the tools to educate their children and help them reach their true potential will move mountains.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!

Any questions can be directed to shelley@reecesrainbow.org And as always, please cross post on Facebook and share this special opportunity with your friends and family via email.

_________________________________________________________________

Friday, February 11, 2011

Focus on Down Syndrome - Teacher with Down Syndrome

Read this brilliant article direct from www.witx.com

Bryann Burgess

Written by Lauren Talarico

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - One local assistant teacher is living proof that with motivation and a positive attitude there is nothing that can't be accomplished.

There's a teacher in Columbia, who brings more to her students than every day lessons, she brings a very important, life long one.

"I always tried hard, and I always did my best," said Bryann Burgess, an assistant teacher with a school called Kindermusik.

From day one, the 22-year-old came into this world with an extra obstacle.

"I was born with down syndrome, on August 20th, 1988," Burgess said.

Something that many would see as a difficulty, she turned into an inspiration.

"I'm studying music and theater. It's my major."

Bryann is a junior at USC's Carolina Life non-degree program.

"I'm now living on campus. For the very first time this year and it's really exciting. It was a big challenge from going from home schooling to a big campus at USC, and to live on campus. It was hard. But we did it!"

She's ultimately wants to be a full time teacher, and is getting hands on experience teaching music along side the director of Kindermusik, Ally Trotter.

"Something about Bryann that I love, is her "authentic". She brings who she is to class."

"I've always wanted to express myself in music," said Bryann, "that's what I've learned in Kindermusik, is just to express myself and enjoy learning."

Bryann brings something invaluable to her students.

"I always tried hard, and I always did my best. No matter what happens, I just keep on going and dust myself off."

Bryann is proof that with hard work, and a positive attitude, you can do anything.

"It's been wonderful. It's been quite a journey and the dream never ends," Bryann said.

(well done to SC witx.com Teacher Watch for this brilliant article!)

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The McClain's & their Stephanie...STILL IN GREAT NEED

**The McClain family was one of our families honored in September of 2010. I'm reposting them because this need is still very much in place and now the time is come when it's really, really needed and time for fundraising isn't even a question. They're getting ready to leave and they need our help...like yesterday! Please, please help out this family..I think most of us know Joy, she has this huge heart for the children and the other RR families and a heart that beats for Christ. If you don't know Joy you can click on her family blog link and you'll see..You'll see Christs love in her shine though :)

The McClain family are back in the game :) This will be their 3rd child found through RR.. God lead them to their 2 youngest boys through RR. Now their being called to bring home Stephanie, who they'll call Abby. You can read all about their journey to her and their past adoptions as well by clicking here to go to their blog..
http://www.livingwithouradoptionoption.blogspot.com/
You can make your gift donations to their Family Sponsor Page by clicking here...
http://www.reecesrainbow.org/sponsormcclain
As always, please be prayerful in your giving and remember that any amount helps...there's no such thing as a small gift! :)
You can also copy their button to post to your blog, anything to help spread the word helps!
Blessings,
May God bless you all in your mothering days (or fathering :)

*HELP WANTED: To encourage more donations would you be so kind as to cross post this to your FB page &/or your blog? The more we spread the word, the more help can be poured in the cup to over flow :D Thanks so much and may your week be filled with His love, His peace and His will in your life. Blessings to ya' till next time ♥

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Angel of the Week

Meet Danil!

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

Danil Dreams of having a family!

He needs a family soon! If you would like more information on him or any of the other children, please contact us!

Danil has $10 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. There is a video of him on this blog one of his advocates has shared: http://thereisjustonethingleftformeandthatsu.blogspot.com/

He can be found here: http://reecesrainbow.org/danil-19

Danil (19)
Boy, Born December 26, 2005

From our facilitation team: "I want to tell you about a very good, and smart, and intelligent, and sweet boy Danil. I do know him personally, even took him home. And I can tell to everyone he is 100% developed boy that has a DREAM to have mom and dad! He is very sociable and leader in the group. Danil"s parents died, he has a very old grandmother who visited him couple of times and she wants her grandson to be adopted. In August 2010 Danil was transferred to the older child internat. But nannies and doctors from the Baby house are in touch with him, they call to the orphanage, send him small presents.

Andrea, please, if there is any family interested in adoption an HIV+ boy can you, please, recommend my little friend!

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

$10 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

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

Job 31:16-23

¹⁶ “If I have denied the desires of the poor
or let the eyes of the widow grow weary,

¹⁷ if I have kept my bread to myself,
not sharing it with the fatherless—

¹⁸ but from my youth I reared them as a father would,
and from my birth I guided the widow—

¹⁹ if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing,
or the needy without garments,

²⁰ and their hearts did not bless me
for warming them with the fleece from my sheep,

²¹ if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,
knowing that I had influence in court,

²² then let my arm fall from the shoulder,
let it be broken off at the joint.

²³ For I dreaded destruction from God,
and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.

Thank you, Jill!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Social Narratives for Learning

What is a social narrative? How do you make them?

Social Stories™ have been proven effective as strategies to change target behaviors. De-veloped by educators or others familiar with the child, Social Stories™ are written short stories that inform or describe an activity and the anticipated behavior associated with it. Social Stories™ also provide social information to teach appropriate social behavior governed by various unwritten and unspoken rules and nonverbal cues.

Comic strips are very popular with children these days and very easy to understand.

Comic Strip Conversations TM

Comic Strip Conversations TM is a cartooning strategy developed by Gray (1994). The technique involves illustrating conversations through the use of simple drawings. This strategy helps the student identify what other people say and or do with emphasis being placed upon what other people were thinking. By drawing a short conversation with thinking and thought bubbles that help the student learn how to general conversation occur. When using this technique the following information needs to be gathered (Gray, 1994):

* Where are you ? (Student draws a person)
* Who else is here? (Student draws a person)
* What are you doing? (Student draws relevant items and/or actions)
* What happened? What did the other people do? (Student draws relevant items and or actions.)
* What did you say? (Use conversation bubbles)
* What did other people say? (Use conversation bubbles)
* What did you think when you said that? (Use thought bubbles)
* What did other people think when they said that/did that? (Use thought bubbles)

This strategy can also be used to address upcoming situations or future events.

from: HERE

HERE is an child friendly, and adult friendly downloadable comic software. I was blessed to attend a conference this weekend on Down syndrome. One of the speakers I was privileged to listen to was a special education professor at KU, and when I remember his name I will update this! :). But he shared how much his 4th grade son with DS enjoys the comic strip method of social narratives.

The ideas in my head are limitless for their use. You can even use them for other children to learn the proper response when encountering a challenging behavior of an individual with a disability or behavior issue!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

While We...

While we rejoice at the births of our children, counting their fingers and toes, holding them, loving them, memorizing every single part of them, making exuberant phone calls to family and friends, snapping hundreds of photos and praising God for their arrival...

There is only mourning at their births. Hushed voices insisting that the family would be better off without them. Tears of sorrow. Cries of pain. Little ones left, abandoned, alone. Mamas and Papas leaving the hospital empty-handed, grief-stricken.

While we rush in to pick up and console each whimper, walk the floors at night to soothe them in their cries, sing lullabies and whisper words of love in their ears,

They lie silent in their cribs, having learned that their cries are never answered, their distress goes unnoticed, and their pain must be suffered without relief.

While we savor every milestone, record every new experience, celebrate every accomplishment,

They lie day after day staring at the rails in their cribs, rocking quietly back and forth, waiting and hoping that the next feeding will fill the constant hunger in their bellies.

While we lovingly buy good food that little palates will enjoy, and carefully prepare it so that our children will eat without choking,

They are lined up in assembly-line fashion, the food force-fed down their throats. They swallow as fast as they can, gagging as much food down as possible before their turn for feeding has ended.

While we watch over them on the playground, making sure that they are safe and that no one will harm them,

They know what it is to be shoved and slapped, hit and tripped. They have no one to defend their rights or stick up for them when they have been wronged.

While we take them to their events, games, practices, productions,

They sit tied straight-jacket style in their chairs and play pens, with no toys and little stimulation, listening to an occasional car drive by, longing for more but not knowing truly what more there is...

While we dress them carefully for their first day of school and fill a box with each of their reports and accomplishments,

They are set aside, considered uneducable, mentally deficient and not capable of learning.

While we give them medicine when they are sick or in pain,

They are given medicine to keep them drugged so they will lay quiet in their cribs.

While we pack the car for the yearly family vacation,

They are packed into the car and transferred to the mental institute.

While we rejoice that they are growing and becoming more independent, knowing that one day they will grow up and move on,

They sit in empty rooms and sheds with nothing to do, day after lonely day, year after lonely year.

While we live a life that is full and rich and overflowing with all that God has entrusted to us, they live a life that is empty and lonely, without color and without love.

While we do our thing......

They wait.... they rock.... they sleep to escape... they bang their heads against the sides of their cribs to remind themselves that they are alive.... they scratch their skin over and over to experience touch..... they grind their teeth down to nubs in frustration and boredom....they stuff their entire little hands into their mouths to the point of choking for comfort....they moan quietly to cover up the silence..... they hit and pinch themselves believing that somehow this will ease their suffering.... they wait.... they wait.... day after day they wait....

While we do our thing.....

If you feel called to help - in any way - through adoption, giving, prayer or service - contact Andrea at Reece's Rainbow. She is only an e-mail away!!

The Schwenzer's, Yulia & Sergey

Yulia & Sergey will be coming home soon! I'm so happy to see these two close to being with their family :D
The Schwenzer's are a family who've learned the hard way how valuable each life is. Their dossier for these two beauties has been sent. Their waiting on a travel time..& they still are in need of about $3,000.00. A mere drop in the bucket if we all pull together & each give a little love :) These two little one's are already so loved & longed for...let's help them get home!! You can read more about the Schwenzer family & follow their journey to their blessings by visiting their family blog found here:
http://schwenzerfamilyupdates.blogspot.com/
and you can help them raise that last little bit by visiting their FSP here:
http://reecesrainbow.org/category/almostthere
they also have a Chip-In on their blog that you can donate to. Remember that every cent helps~no amount is to small or to big & every cent brings these guys closer to knowing what "Family" means. Blessings to you all.
Till next time..

PS*Please do me a favor & cross post this onto your FB page or your blog page if you have one..the more people who know the need is there, the more to help. Thanks all!

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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Friday, February 18, 2011

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Monday, February 14, 2011

Friday, February 11, 2011

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

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