How Much Do You Know About Cerebral Palsy? | Guest Blogger :: Jenny Pohl | Reece's Rainbow

So how much do you know about cerebral palsy (CP)? I knew nothing, until I was about 22 years old, and spent a year volunteering at a residential school for children with CP. Now, I'll admit that this is going back a few years – to 1985, in fact – but the children I worked with back then made a huge impression on me. Since then, I have worked with many many children with a wide variety of disabilities, but I must say that kids with cerebral palsy are the ones I am drawn to again and again.

Children with cerebral palsy are all in some way physically impaired, though this varies from child to child. Some may only have a slight limp, with their CP being hardly noticeable. Other may be unable to walk, stand, or sit independently, needing total care for their entire lives. Some children with CP may also have other conditions, such as learning impairments, seizures, and vision and/or hearing issues.

In a nutshell – every child with CP is different!!

There are currently about 80 older children with cerebral palsy listed with Reece's Rainbow as available for adoption. Every one of these children is now eligible for a $10,000 adoption grant! Depending on where they live, these children many or may not receive any kind of therapy or medical interventions to help them. Some orphanages do provide education and therapies, but sadly, most do not. Those children who are unable to walk are likely to be bedridden for their entire lives. Children who in the Western world would be in school, getting an education and living a normal life, are destined to spend their lives in an institution with no hope for the future, just because they were born with CP.

Below, I share the profiles of a few children with cerebral palsy. I chose these children because they were born in 2003, the same year my son was born. If you click on their name, you will be taken directly to their profile.

Lane's profile doesn't say much about him, other than that he has “cerebral palsy, tetraparetic form”. This basically means that all four of his limbs are affected by the CP. His photo shows him in his crib/bed - he seems to be pleading with his eyes, doesn't he?


Bianca has very mild CP, and her profile is pretty extensive. In a nutshell, she goes to school, can talk in complete sentences, and is independent in her daily living skills. Please click on her name to read more about this wonderful young lady!


Mitch is another child with a short profile. It states that he can walk, is "mentally healthy", and very very much wants to be adopted. Is he YOUR son?


Next, we have Anton. I cannot help but smile when I see his picture, but that smile is quickly followed by sorrow, when I realize what he is missing. He needs a family to get him out of that crib - can you see the potential in this young man? He looks amazing!


Flynn is a "Lost Boy". He lives in a very remote institute, and receives just basic care. He spends his days sitting doing nothing. Absolutely nothing. He deserves so much more than this, don't you think? Please see Flynn today - I have no doubt that he would make a wonderful son, and would learn to smile surrounded by a family.


Daniella. When you look at Daniella, do you see a child with cerebral palsy, or do you see a beautiful young lady, who needs a mommy to fix her hair and take her clothes shopping? Please see Daniella today!


Lastly, we have Mason. His profile states he has "profound mental delays" as well as cerebral palsy. The orphanage cannot keep him much longer. They will try to hold him till the end of this summer. If nobody commits to him, he will be transferred to a terrible institution forever, and it will be very hard to pull him out from there.

In other words - if he isn't adopted before transfer, chances are he will never be able to be adopted.


As stated above - these children were all born in 2003 - meaning they are 12 or 13 years old.

They all have cerebral palsy. Some are affected very mildly, others more severely.

They are just a handful of the children over the age of 10, listed on Reece's Rainbow, who have CP.

They are all eligible for a $10,000 adoption grant!!

I have seen many children with CP who have been adopted - children who were confined to their cribs in the orphanages - children who have thrived once home with a family. I truly have seen miracles unfold before me - once a child is given hope, and given love, they can defy all odds. Along with therapy, and medical help, these children can begin to live the lives they deserve. They can begin to LIVE.

While I realize that we cannot all adopt - we are ALL capable of shouting for these children.

If you are on Facebook, please share them.

If you have Twitter or Instagram - please share them.

If you write a blog - please share them!

If you can - donate to them!

Any donation to the children over 10 years old will go into a grant pool, which will benefit every single older child that is adopted.

The children with cerebral palsy are listed under the "Other Angels" categories - the older boys can be found HERE, and the older girls HERE.

At the top of each link, you will see a big pink DONATE button - that's where to click when you want to donate to the older children's fund. No donation is too small!

Again - if you can't adopt or donate - please share!!!

Meet Ashley | Guest Blogger Laura Harr | Reece's Rainbow

Answers for Ashley

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Laura Harr 

The satisfaction of an orphan set free is not completely breathed until that child is set  free into the arms of capable parents. Today though something amazing happened. Not an orphan home, yes…somewhere I’m sure there is an orphan who is seeing the doors of their waiting cell close behind them forever, but that isn’t Ashley’s story today. In Eastern Europe she still waits, a friend of hers is meeting their family for the first time and brought this preschooler something. It wont set her free, but it will set in her crib at night for her to snuggle with. I’m the one who bought that toy. I wish I had taken a picture of the process of choosing it, or of us putting the toy horse into the smallest postal box that we could find to mail to Kentucky to have taken in a suitcase all the way over the ocean to a country where I have no way of knowing if I will ever go. We were given the opportunity to send a present to this little girl that my daughter particularly loves among the number of orphans that she’s seen online photo listings. When I explained as best I could on how we’d get a gift to Ashley she ran down to the playroom and quickly retrieved a favorite stuffed toy and pushed it into the box. I pulled it out to have a look and found that the stitching was thin in a few places and the face was quite faded. My daughter was quite sure that she wanted to send a toy of her own rather than buy one but came up with nothing that I thought was in good enough shape to send an orphanage that ought to have years of use out of. We agreed on a toy and went to the store where we had bought it a few months ago to see if we could find a double. It wasn’t there.  In the end, it was me and my youngest that chose a toy, bought the card and mailed the box because my 5 year old couldn’t decide. The choice was made based on the size of the box and between two toys which a two year old grabbed for 1st. And that was it. We bought a brown 9 inch tall stuffed horse with a tan mane and bead black eyes, it’s gorgeous, as far as stuffed animals go. I sent it right away because I knew the chances of my kids wanting to keep it were significant. My dream to adopt has been quieted. But there’s little ever that will matter more that believing that this is real, there is pain and there is a little piece of peace that can be had. Cath sang about going to sleep, now Ashley has a toy to hold when she has to be quieted too. She doesn’t know that she’s holding on waiting for a family, but hopefully the Lord has plans for her to receive a family some day. I hope that there will be answers for Ashley someday. Answers of a family who gives her more than a horse, perhaps a home for her and her horse. Looking at the face of that little girl who has only 1194.25 towards a $35K adoption, I do wish I could do more but this is something that she has to have and to hold until it’s stitches fall out…or until it gets lost in the laundry and another child gets it. Moral of the story for the moment, if you get the opportunity to give in the tiniest way it just might mean a lot to someone so if you can do it, certainly do.

Ashley's profile is here: Ashley and she will be on the 2014 Angel Tree in need of a warrior.

If you are a child's or family warrior, the month of September we are featuring Guest Bloggers who would like to share their family or child prior to the start of the Angel Tree. Please email Lucille@ReecesRainbow.org if you are a warrior and would like your post featured.

Meet Simon and Samuel's Family! | Guest Blogger Laura Harr | Reece's Rainbow

I want to introduce to you first Simon and Samuel. They are twin baby boys in Eastern Europe–identical both with Down Syndrome. Like all kids in their country little information at all is given, the richest pieces are from families who have met the young people. For leap of faith individuals, sketchy details are enough. The details on these babies are as follows:

Boys, born Dec 2013
Down syndrome

We added, “These precious, beautiful, twin baby boys both have Down syndrome. What a gift to have them listed so young — they can be home easily by their first birthday!” And indeed they could be home by their first birthday.

This country has a very quick adoption process. Some families just remain in country rather than taking two trips as is done commonly in other Eastern European countries. There is currently over $100 in the little boys adoption fund, money that was dumped in by us members of the adoption community in the first matter of moments that the boys were listed as we wooed and awweed over the preciousness of these sweet faces. I’m sure I was not the only who found myself closing my eyes and saying, “Sweet Jesus, lead a family to these babies. In your name, amen.” Was it even a whole month before the twins were on My Family Found Me? It was so fast! The Lord sees these kids. I could type that so many times, and I plan to, in every opportunity that I have to speak of orphans I want to shout forth praises and thankfulness that although I cannot see these children, Jesus does. These photos of Simon and Samuel were taken March 2014. I wonder if by thanksgiving when they may be home, they’ll be sitting perhaps toddling around and have grown in some hair.

The family that I am thrilled for and thankful to be getting to know are Theresa Cianciolo and her husband. The little boys will be children 5 and 6 for them. 

There has been an unfair ratio of girls adopted over baby boys going home, or so it appeared til recently! We’ve had so many commitments to young guys and older also. It’s thrilling to see this gap coming even. There’s also families who are picking up a second child into adoptions, that’s wonderful to see happening.

No knowledge of the state of the boys hearts or any other potential points of keen awareness that ought to be had for being prepared for welcoming home a child who has Down Syndrome. The future family of these babies sees just what you do: two sleeping children in gender neutral sleepers peacefully oblivious in their moment of restfulness. They appear healthy and are available for international adoption and as of this week (!!!) committed to for coming home.

What’s taking me so long to admit that I’m giddy to see someone from Vermont adopting? No wait, I went back and edited that into the first line or so. I am psyched.
I’ll have even that much more reason to go back and visit, if saying hello to good times again isn’t going to be enough one day. In my time in Vermont I made some wonderful friends and got the best medical care that I have had.

My life has been a struggle with epilepsy, and through the depression and failure, through the side effects of meds and insomnia and head aches through the embarrassment and exasperation I have always had my identical twin who has the same problem by my side to prop my body against. We have been each others strong hold and scratching post through the years and I think she too would have to confess that she wouldn’t know what to do without me. We would have had so much of a harder go at life without each other, and I imagine that as life goes on we will continue to need each other.

Children with Down Syndrome are often transferred at age 4 to mental institutions to live out the rest of their lives. If the boys aged to that point in their country there is far from guarantee that they would stay together. Twins have a way of knowing that there is another one of them, there have been so many studies done. Praise be! They’re going home for mama snuggles, and for Daddy to wrestle with them in the living room and take them on fun outdoor ventures. These kids will know the freedoms of creativity, nurturing and holistic living.

There are so many hopes and dreams that I have for these little guys. My children’s lives started out in Vermont where these boys lives beyond bars will begin also. It’s a wonderful place to be. Fresh air, green trees and rolling mountains. The autumn, or foliage season as we call it, is the most gorgeous collection of colors that you could ever ask for in nature. There are all sorts of fun activities and places to be for families and room to run, horses to ride and adventures to be had.

Your new world can hardly wait to meet you, Simon and Samuel. May God keep and protect you where you were born and took your first breaths until your mama and papa come for you.

Where will the fund raising begin? I want to have fun with this!

Theresa, the twin’s future mama, has shared with me that their family Bible verse is James 1:27

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

I love this family already! Be it serving those who are bringing home children, or helping in the community to ease the suffering of women and children I believe that not only is there opportunity to help, but command to do it.

Roll up your sleeves, put on your thinking cap and make some time to helping. My husband say to focus on the word “help” in this verse and to always come back to my family!

Join the Family Warrior program and lend a little help to someone in need of a prayer buddy along their adoption journey and get as excited as I am to live vicariously through someone else.

Meet the Colliers | Guest Blogger Erin Lafreniere | Reece's Rainbow

Erin Lafreniere is the Family Warrior for the Collier family. For more information on how you can become a Warrior please visit our Family Warrior page.

When Marc and Becky Collier first started talking about adopting, they decided that they would never adopt out of birth order and would never adopt a child with special needs. Now they have learned that they should never say never. The Colliers are adopting 7-year-old twin girls, Nadia and Nancy, to be big sisters to their sons Will (6) and Mike (4).

This change of heart was sparked by the example of Becky’s former college roommate, Jenny Nolan, who, along with her husband, adopted two boys with special needs, Oliver and Andrew. In January, Becky read a blog post written by Jenny, advocating for several waiting children. After praying for each child listed, Becky clicked the link for Nadia and Nancy a second time and her heart broke. That was the beginning of four very difficult months of seeking to discern and follow God’s will before she and Marc were ready to commit to adopting the girls.

Marc and Becky have moved to a larger house to accommodate the expected doubling of the number of their children. They have been working diligently on fulfilling the requirements for their home study and gathering all the documents needed for their dossier.

 

Becky Collier used to be a high school English teacher. She knows a thing or two about telling a good story. Her blog is found at http://rebeccathesaint.blogspot.com. It’s an unfolding story that you’re going to want to follow! Check out her blog and consider whether God is calling you to allow Him to work through you by supporting the Colliers in their quest to bring their precious girls from an institution to a nurturing home and a family that will cherish them.

http://reecesrainbow.org/79270/sponsorcollier

Even if you are not in a position to adopt, Reece's Rainbow provides a very personal, meaningful, and powerful way to change the course of a child's life!

Prayer Warrior  The Reece's Rainbow Prayer Warrior Ministry was created with three goals in mind: To lift the daily needs of each waiting child up in prayer To lift Reece's Rainbow up in prayer To lift the families whom God is preparing for each waiting child up in prayer

Guardian Angel The Guardian Angel Project effort is to increase awareness and raise additional grant donations for our "Other Angels", those children with other special needs (not Down syndrome) who are also waiting for their forever families to find them.   There many “Other Angels” on our website in need of grant donations and adoptive families.

Family Warrior This banner goes above your chosen family's FSP Button The Family Warrior Program is the newest member of the Warrior Family!

---

For any questions about ANY of the Warrior Programs,
please Contact Laurie Rhoades, our Warrior Ministry Coordinator.

Sign Up:

Meet Joe | Guest Blogger Kaitlyn Sizemore | Reece's Rainbow

Meet Joe

I have been a Guardian Angel for this precious little boy since March of 2014.
His name is Joe is 3 years old and an orphan with a list of special needs (That I will show you later on in this post.).

His sweet photograph is enough to melt anyone's heart.  His chubby little kissable cheeks are so yummy and his yellow jacket make him look like a tiny bundle of sunshine.  His description listed on Reece's Rainbow says that he attention from his caregivers and try's to get it through wiggling his upper body and shaking his head.  And I can totally picture him doing those things.  He's such a love. <3

His picture is really what grabbed my heart, but after praying for him over for months, I have fallen more in love with his personality that is described on his listing,  He is an angel on earth and it's terrible to think that he is going to waste rotting in an orphanage.

 In his description it also explains that he likes soft smiles and he communicates with others with his eyes.  Just stop right there and imagine this for a moment...Joe..this little toddler, looking into your eyes.   What would you see?  Would you see the flashbacks of time after and after when he has watched others leave with their ba (father) and ma (mother)?  Would you see all the lonely nights he's cried in his crib for a hand that would hold his and tell him everything is okay? Would you see all his fears?  Would you see a child worth saving?   I don't think I would, because I already do.  Just by look in his eyes in the couple of photos I have of him.   He's an innocent child whom has never known what real family love feels like.

When my days are bad and I feel like giving up, he is the one that can motivate me.  He has so little, but finds joy in so many things.  He needs a baba and mama to love him for the rest of his life.  He only has a small paragraph description from when he was 10 months old, but he was described as incredible little man.
Aside from needing a forever family, right now he needs warriors.  We are his voice, his hope and chance at breaking free from the orphanage walls and into a forever family that will care for him properly.

If you're reading this right now there is a good chance that you are very capable of helping shout for him!  You are probably on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. and you could copy this link and paste it onto your post on every or any one of those social networks!  You have the power to rescue a life at such a small cost of your time.  If it were you, you would want someone to do the same, right?  I would.

Prayer is the most powerful and effective way to help Joe.  God is watching over Joe right now, and wants to hear you call out to Him for his help.  He will carry Joe always. <3

International adoption can cost anywhere from $14,000-$60,000, that's not exactly cheap.
Reece's Rainbow has an adoption grant set up on Joe's profile.  All of the donations will be saved for his hopeful future adoption.  This is a huge part of the advocating role.  It's crucial to have a good amount of money in the grant because all too often families decide to add another child onto their already ongoing adoption and the only way that is possible usually depends on the amount saved in a child's grant. 

Right now Joe has a total of $40.50 in his adoption grant.  That's a long way away from even scratching the surface of an international adoption cost.   As I plan for future fundraisers to help that grant grow I'd like to invite you to make a donation of any amount to Joe's grant.  It doesn't have to be now, not today, it can be when you get paid or have enough extra to donate.
I am incredibly grateful for any amount!  It means more than I can describe, just to watch God touch hearts and change lives of the less fortunate.  Thank you, thank you one million times!  :) <3

CLICK HERE if you are interested in making a donation to Joe's adoption grant.


I keep referencing to the description of Joe's and by now you're probably curious and anxious to read the whole thing yourself, so wait no more here it is below:


"Boy, born Feb 2011
PRC
1.postoperative meningocele on lumbosacral area; 2. postoperative prolapse of rectum; 3. strephenopodia of both feet.
 
Joe has a ready smile, he watches what his caregivers are doing and gets their attention by shaking his head and wiggle his upper body. Perhaps because of his body, he prefers to have motion of upper body, shake head, wiggle body and roll over to one side etc. Now he is 10 months old, can sit alone, can say ba and ma, likes colorful toys; he likes to be close to others. He always communicates with others with his eyes and has sweet smiles."


.......What do you think?  He's pretty wonderful, isn't he?

Please take note of the ways I shared with you to help him.  You really are his voice and you really are helping save his life.  I promise you. :) <3

CLICK HERE to visit Joe's profile on Reece's Rainbow

Don't hesitate to message, email or comment me any questions you have!  If I can't answer them, I will find someone who can!  Don't forget to share and pray for little Joe(y)! Thanks for reading! :)

Meet Laurance's Family | Guest Blogger Natalie Keller | Reece's Rainbow

From time to time, you have seen me advocate for another family.  This time it's different.  This time, it's a family that I know and love dearly.  This time, it's one of my first Chicago friends that is adopting. 

She is a dear friend who has an amazing heart for orphans.  She's the one that really stirred my heart in that direction.  We traveled on a my first mission's trip to Mexico together.  We have taught at two different schools together.  We have served locally together.  Now, I get the pleasure of seeing her teach my students about service. 

Her heart has always been for kids in need.  She has completed all the steps to become a licensed foster parent.  She has had several children in her home through the Safe Families program.  She routinely opens up her home to children who need a place to stay---all while working and raising her son.  She's now ready to open up her home to her new son permanently. 

*She has started a blog for her adoption journey.  Please head over there and check it out. 

*She has a page on Reece's Rainbow.  If you feel led, you can make a tax deductible donation there. 

*I have an ongoing fundraiser for her (and a few other families I know and love) on myknitting page.  50% of any item ordered goes to her Reece's Rainbow account.

*Check back here and her blog for upcoming fund raisers and updates. 

I'm Thankful : A Blog by Some of Our RR Families : Reece's Rainbow Blog

Thank You for Grabbing This! <div align="center"><a href="http://blog.reecesrainbow.org/2013/11/imthankful.html" title=""><img width="100%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/Poppies/givingthanks.png" style="border:none;" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://blog.reecesrainbow.org/2013/11/imthankful.html" title="">Thank You for Grabbing This!</a></div>

Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Reece's Rainbow! (yes, even that British one!)  We hope you are enjoying a very thankful day with people you love, either in person or in your heart! ← Please grab our Giving Thanks button to share our 'I'm Thankful' post with your blog readers!

Carla Dobrovits
I am so thankful God chose me to be Henry's mommy from August 2011 to November 28, 2012. I am so thankful was able to hold him, feed him, seek medical care for him, and let him play on the floor next to me when I made dinner or did laundry. I am so thankful that he taught our whole family that every single human life is valuable no matter what and that love is the only thing that endures in this world. I am thankful I will see my sweet boy again in heaven one day.
Carla - Henry's mom


Laura Priest 
We are so thankful this holiday season for our beautiful Artem and for the ministry of Reece's Rainbow that allowed us to bring him into our family. It has been such a gift to watch him grow. We can't wait to continue to share through this ministry. What amazing things God is doing!  We have been so blessed to get the opportunity to love Artem and help him become the person God created. I am thankful to be able to share our story and the story of Reece's Rainbow with others.

Natalie Keller

Where to start?  There are so many reasons to be thankful for my little girl.  I'm thankful for all those who helped get her home.  I'm thankful for the ways we fit together as a family so well.  I'm thankful for the smiles and the kisses.  Mostly, I'm thankful for the ways she touches other people's lives.   She started school just as a second grade teacher came back from a maternity leave.  Her son was born with Down syndrome and this came as a surprise to her.  Seeing Sara daily has given her hope that a Down syndrome diagnosis is not the end of the world for her son.  I could write a book with all the ways Sara has touched people---some of whom we don't even know.  I'm thankful that I have been given the chance to be the mother of this amazing child. 

The Hannon Family

We are so blessed and thankful to have our four children home from Ukraine.  They are amazing little people who have flourished by leaps and bounds with unconditional love, good nutrition and proper medical care.  We are thankful to get to watch them grow and learn new things every day.  God has blessed our family beyond measure and we are so thankful to be Matthew, Michael, Sarah and Sydney's forever family.

Shea Drummond

I am thankful for my Oskar. Even on days when I feel I'm frazzled and failing at everything, he believes in me. Adopting him has been an incredible blessing. I am thankful that even though he never had to, he loves me. Oskar accepted me as his mother from the beginning and tells me we will always be best friends. I don't know what I did to deserve him, but I thank God for my baby boy. 

The Carr Family
We are thankful for all the people who are working so hard, both here and in her country, to help us bring our little one home! And we are so thankful that we are able to travel to meet her in person this December! Love, The Carr Family









The Ray Family
We are thankful for God sending us this beautiful, sweet boy! It wouldn't have been possible without Reece's Rainbow and their facilitation team! Thank you for helping us find Micah! :)
Love,
The Ray Family

Michelle Albrecht
We are thankful for our beautiful daughter from Ukraine, who is fully blind, and has opened our eyes to a whole new world.  She brings us joy and excitement every day. We are for ever Thankful to God for leading us to her.  We are also thankful to all those who donated to our FSP and who helped pray her home.  It was a challenging journey getting to our girl and it was the the support and love of friends, as well as our Savior, who helped us stay strong on that journey. For that we are grateful as today, we could not imagine life without our girl. She is home 5 months and is truly a blessing beyond words.

Mary Simons

Sometimes in life, the best gifts go unnoticed. This certainly could have held true for our family. Thankfully instead, our family said "yes" to the adventure, and in the process uncovered three, amazingly beautiful treasures. Three years later, we can't imagine our world without them. We can't even imagine a day without them. And our lives are certainly richer with their smiles, their love and their presence in our home. Today, and every day, we give thanks for five gifts given and three treasures found. 

Warrior Guest Post : Irene for Collier : Coffee for Collier : Reece's Rainbow

With my journey as an Angel Tree warrior shifting into its third year, I’m still amazed at the amount of love, support, and dedication that comes with this massive fundraiser. It’s a whirlwind, but a whirlwind filled with so many marvelous and dedicated people that I have come to admire greatly. For the first two years of Angel Tree I was the warrior for a precious little boy named Trey, who I love very much. I was 100% committed to doing it for Trey for the third time in three years (unless he had found his family prior to Angel Tree), but the doors to his country closed to adoption in January. Should his country reopen their doors to international adoption, I will of course fight for Trey again. But this year, that is just not possible. So, instead of picking another cute baby, I decided to go a different route.

I would like to introduce you to my Angel Tree child, Collier.

In the United States, the average age of a child in foster care who is available to be adopted is nine. Nine! Pretty unbelievable, don’t you think? Less than ten percent of children adopted through foster care were between the ages of 14-17. And if those sobering statistics are from the United States, imagine what they must be for orphans overseas. Older children are just as deserving of a family, but they are often the last to be picked. And, since I wanted to advocate for a child I had met, the choice was easy.

I know what you’re thinking. Older child? Irene, that’s not an older child. He’s looks like a toddler! You must be reading something wrong. Believe me, I am not.

I had the privilege of meeting Collier when I went on a mission trip to his orphanage this summer. These are the facts I can share about him. He is in a wonderful orphanage with a caring director and staff. Collier is very tiny, about the size of a two or three year old, not a fourteen year old, and skinny. Collier loves exploring, going outside, and being held. He attaches very quickly; when I was in his room he would always rush up to me and beg to be held. Collier is non-verbal, but he can express what he wants very easily. He is in desperate need of a family - he turns 16 in October 2015, and must be adopted prior to that.

It's been a challenge this year, especially with being overseas, but I believe I can not only get Collier to the $1,000 goal, I believe I can get him over the next "Moving Mountains" level ($7500+)! I have seen it happen before with Trey, thanks to some very generous donations, and know it can happen again! This year, my own fundraiser is called Coffee for Collier, and is located here: https://justlovecoffee.com/coffeeforcollier. And you can purchase Collier's ornament at the main Angel Tree site.

Thank you for your support!

Paper Clouds Winners! :: Reece's Rainbow Blog

We have three artists who's designs were chosen by the lovely people at Paper Clouds Apparel to be used for tshirts, canvas bags, hats... I will be sharing about all of our winners but to start things off, I am sharing one of our RR families and devoted advocates, Julia Nalle's, blog post announcing one of our winners! Simply said, no one could have put it better, so I am passing it to her to tell you a little about one of our winners. You can also click the title of the post to view it on their blog.

The Secret is Out!

He would sit in the shed, take a stick, hold it between his toes and draw pictures in the dirt.

They had no paper or markers or coloring books for him to use.  He had nothing to draw on and no books to look at while he drew.  Yet he spent hours making designs in the dirt with his stick.

One of the caretakers told us.

She wanted us to know that this child we were adopting could draw with his feet.

It was important to her that we knew this about him.

We barely spoke her language and she knew nothing of ours.

But she wanted us to know.  It was one of the few times that we directly communicated with one of them without a translator there.

He drew in the dirt.

With a stick.

With his feet.

Because that is all he had.

----------------------------------------

He doesn't draw with sticks anymore.

And he rarely draws with his feet.

We have plenty of markers and paper and pens.

And a whole assortment of books filled with pictures he can see and copy.

And he still loves to draw.

And he is good.

His drawings are good.

Even with limited arm motion and fingers that can't bend.

 They are so good that one of his drawings was selected by Paper Clouds Apparel to be featured for the next two weeks on their shirts, totes and hats.

That's right.

 THAT'S AARON'S TRUCK!

On hats, shirts and totes.

AARON'S DRAWING!

His picture was one of many submitted. 

The people at Paper Clouds chose their favorites. They didn't know Aaron and no one shared with them his story.

His picture was one of three selected by impartial judges who just plain liked it.

Happily 50% of the proceeds are going to Reece's Rainbow.

That seems very fitting since we found him on Reece's Rainbow. 

Without them he would still be drawing with a stick.

 In the dirt.

With his feet.

Because back then he didn't have paper and pencils and markers.

And he couldn't see past the walls that surrounded the institute...

To even know what a tanker truck looked like.




Actually, he didn't even know what a tanker truck was.

Preferences

§

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

-

=

Backspace

Tab

q

w

e

r

t

y

u

i

o

p

[

]

Return

capslock

a

s

d

f

g

h

j

k

l

;

'

\

shift

`

z

x

c

v

b

n

m

,

.

/

shift

English

Deutsch

Español

Français

Italiano

Português

Русский

alt

alt

Preferences