Showing posts with label Raising Awareness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Raising Awareness. Show all posts
9:57:00 PM
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!!!
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!!!
4:55:00 PM
21 Truths About Down Syndrome | #wdsd2016
Today is World Down Syndrome Day 2016!
21 March 2016 marks the 11th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day. It is officially observed by the United Nations. Each year the voice of people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them, grows louder. But there is still so much more we can do.
Reece's Rainbow is working to do more by doing our part to share the TRUTH about Down Syndrome! So, for today, here is a repost from four years ago! From 21 beautiful families of children with Down syndrome and their TRUTH about Down syndrome! We'd love to invite these families (and ANYONE ELSE) to leave an updated photo of their child in the comments!
We'd love to hear from YOU! Please add your TRUTH about Down syndrome in the comments below and share our WDSD 2016 '21 Truths About Down Syndrome'!
8:44:00 AM
Happy World Down Syndrome Day 2016! #wdsd2016
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.

It's the FINAL day of our 21 Days of Hope campaign! Please DONATE and SHARE! We have a MATCHING GRANT for 21 of our waiting children with Down syndrome!
It's also not too late to order t-shirts, journals, cups, tote bags, etc with our WDSD “One Word that Describes Your Child with DS” graphic on them to wear and use proudly throughout the year! Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with Reece’s Rainbow!
We'd LOVE to hear from YOU! Share YOUR child with Down Syndrome in the Comments!
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 WDSD button to put on your blog/facebook/twitter? |
It's the FINAL day of our 21 Days of Hope campaign! Please DONATE and SHARE! We have a MATCHING GRANT for 21 of our waiting children with Down syndrome!
It's also not too late to order t-shirts, journals, cups, tote bags, etc with our WDSD “One Word that Describes Your Child with DS” graphic on them to wear and use proudly throughout the year! Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with Reece’s Rainbow!
We'd LOVE to hear from YOU! Share YOUR child with Down Syndrome in the Comments!
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…
(Lucille Brown)
1:00:00 PM
Celebrate WDSD16 with Reece's Rainbow!
World Down Syndrome Day 21.3.16
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| Be Sure to Order Your WDSD Gear NOW! |
Order your Reece's Rainbow WDSD clothing and gear NOW so you will have it in time to wear it and share about it on WDSD 2016!
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), observed on 21 March every year, is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
Get the "One Word that Describes Your Child with DS" button, t-shirts, totes and LOTS MORE!
Reece's Rainbow
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4:10:00 PM
Apathy Never Moved a Mountain | Reece's Rainbow
CHILDREN OF THE STATE
If you are involved in any way in the world of international adoption, you will have heard about the Russian Adoption Ban passed in December 2012.If you haven’t heard what it is, you will know after watching this film. If you didn’t have all the facts surrounding the events, you will after seeing this. It will all be made glaringly obvious.
You will watch as Russian families, orphanage directors, politicians all share their views.
But be warned if you are an advocate of international adoption, you will also see the children we have advocated for still living in the orphanages. Still waiting for a family.
The layers upon layers of misinformation and political strategies are evident. As are those who are the pawns, paying the ultimate sacrifice for this international game of chess.
So many of us who have advocated and watched as the door was slammed shut on Russian adoptions have become apathetic. After all, how could we ever change this?
I will tell you. Apathy never changed anything. Apathy never moved a single mountain.
But…
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Proverbs 21.1
I saw Kadyr. My Kyle. The child who’s eyes drew me in and I used in more of the RR graphics and promotional products than even Reece, was in the film. I wasn’t expecting it. When I saw his eyes after the ban and his transfer to institution the gentle and calm I initially saw was replaced by terror and then to hear of his death was heartbreaking. The family who had tried to adopt him prior to the ban, were devastated. To see him in this, it broke my heart into a million pieces once again. Prayer.
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
There is also a little girl in the same orphanage as the girl the Morriss family had been adopting that is another of the children for whom I have advocated. So this is deeply personal to me on many levels. It is for the hundreds of families who were in process and had to leave their children behind when the ban happened.

Faith.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.
Psalm 97:5
I am asking you to pray for the children in Russia. I am asking you to pray that the exact right people will see this film and I’m going to ask YOU to see it and encourage your churches or other organisations to show it. I am asking you to consider these children, the least of these. I am asking you to be on your knees in prayer for these precious children.
The effective and fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much.
James 5.16b
But, besides praying, it is so important that we continue to fight for these children. The three year anniversary of the ban is next month. Katrina has fought so hard and is an amazing woman, I am proud of all she’s done, despite it seeming like a very lonely battle. But know that she isn’t alone, there are many others who are also tirelessly fighting for these children.
CHILDREN OF THE STATE from CAT&Docs on Vimeo.
It would be wonderful if churches and universities would show the film. The cost is $50 to publicly screen the film (in a church, university or library). Please contact Catndocs for a public viewing license (cat@catndocs.com)
Children of the State is now available to rent and purchase through Vimeo.
To publicly screen the film in your church/university/library, please contact Catndocs for a public viewing license. cat@catndocs.com
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/childrenofthestate/108227844
Comments and reviews welcomed on film FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/childrenofthestate/
Thank you for your support.
You can share this blog post, you can share the film from the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/childrenofthestate)
You can follow and share from the Parents United for Russian Orphans Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/parentsunitedforrussianorphans)
Do something…
Apathy never achieved a thing...
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for all you do to support Reece's Rainbow and the children for whom we advocate!
12:06:00 PM
The 2014 Reece's Rainbow Awareness Buttons
There is a selection of other buttons, as well, that you can put on your blogs, some with corresponding facebook timeline covers and there are more to come! Be sure to check for the Christmas facebook covers and other Christmas buttons soon!
Be sure to scroll down for the Pots of Gold and if you would like your own Reece's Rainbow Pot of Gold on one of our awareness buttons, be sure to send your photos to us and we will be adding to our collection!
Here are a couple of them for you to have a look, but don't just sit here, go to the actual page and get yours!
3:03:00 PM
Use it or lose it: Opportunity | Reece's Rainbow Guest Blogger Gretchen Thibault
Guest Blogger: Gretchen Thibault
Welcome to guest blogger, Gretchen Thibault! Thank you so much for sharing with us and be sure to watch the video at the bottom! You will love it!
I’m not sure why I feel the need to weigh these two things, but, I wonder which life experience had a greater value: traveling to Eastern Europe, meeting our children with Down syndrome, showing them love, and bringing them to a new life where they are unconditionally cherished…..FOREVER? Or, traveling to Eastern Europe and having the opportunity to teach doctors the joy of Down syndrome so they will hopefully love and cherish them, unconditionally ….FOREVER?
Why not do both?
I’ve traveled three times to Eastern Europe in the last 3 years. The first was to adopt our 8th child who was a little boy Down syndrome. The second was a trip to Bosnia to teach Ukrainian Ob/Gyn doctors and medical students about the blessing of Down syndrome. The third was to adopt AND to teach.
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| A Pilgrimage of Life....Ukrainian doctors and medical students learning about the dignity of ALL human life. |
How will hearts change?
We MUST use every moment…EVERY opportunity.
While it wasn’t easy to do, we decided on our first adoption to Ukraine to bring our other son who has Down syndrome. Though a struggle, it was filled with blessings. The orphanage director, caregivers, the lawyer, the social worker, and the public got to meet Ricky. He’s a rock star. He makes a statement when you see him: his red hair, blue eyes, blue glasses and ALL that personality. Many questions were asked and we gave many answers. Ricky was a witness to what a child with Down syndrome CAN be when given a chance.
When I traveled last summer to Eastern Europe to teach medical students about the blessings and dignity of a child with special needs, with an emphasis on Down syndrome, my portion of the seminar was saved for last. Until then, their hearts weren’t ready to hear all I had to say. They needed to be primed by the seven days of talks before mine in this Pilgrimage of Life. Forty-six medical students and doctors, many of whom left home with little understanding and appreciation of our special kids, went home with a deep affection for them. They even sent me home with extra kisses to deliver to my boys.
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| The Thibault Children |
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| Ricky, Ksenya, Stas |
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| Ksenya |
One trip to save one child can be a trip that saves many children and many souls. Be a witness of joy. If you are traveling soon, each time you kiss and hug your child whom you’ve just met, remember you are witnessing to the fact that you can love a precious being even when you hardly know them….YOU are witnessing that they have value, dignity and are deserving of the very thing that every child is deserving of…LOVE
One closing thought…you don’t have to go overseas to use these opportunities. If you shop…don’t lose the opportunity at the Target checkout, in the doctor’s office, with the repairman or the mailman. Seize the moment….share your joy….we can’t afford to let any opportunities get lost. My husband wonders how I can manage to always make a conversation with a stranger near always turn to our youngest three….it’s easy because our kids can’t afford for us not to do so.
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| Ksenya Baptism |
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| Thibault Family |
**I recently had the opportunity to make a video about Down syndrome that will be translated and narrated into Russian/Ukrainian. My hope is to help more people see the joy that our children are to us. I hope you enjoy our story and see how much we enjoy our blessings.
8:06:00 PM
Feels Like Home
Dear Friends of RR, today we posted a brand new video called "Feels Like Home". You can view it here, be sure to turn up the sound, and repost it on your own blogs.
After 6 years, more than 800 children home/committed to, and more than $4 million in grant funding disbursed, one might think it would be easy to get up and do this every day. We rejoice in these videos, because photos of our children who are now healthy, happy, and loved are such a tangible reminder of the good that does come from our efforts. We have such an incredible, growing base of support, and we are changing the world one adoption at a time.
But some days, even when you see 800+ home, you have 1000 more children's faces staring back at you from the website....and you find new waiting children every day. It's tough to keep your head up and keep hoeing that row every day. It's tough to keep asking for money. The need is so great, Lord....I am but one...we are but a few....and He reminds me "it doesn't matter how many are waiting, I will give you the means to FIND THEM and to find FAMILIES for them". And He does. Every single day. No matter what the challenge, no matter how weary we feel, no matter how overwhelmed, helpless, or behind the 8-ball it seems....keep your head up and shoulders back.
Celebrate with us....6 years! Celebrate LIFE, LOVE, and HOPE with our new video!
Andrea
After 6 years, more than 800 children home/committed to, and more than $4 million in grant funding disbursed, one might think it would be easy to get up and do this every day. We rejoice in these videos, because photos of our children who are now healthy, happy, and loved are such a tangible reminder of the good that does come from our efforts. We have such an incredible, growing base of support, and we are changing the world one adoption at a time.
But some days, even when you see 800+ home, you have 1000 more children's faces staring back at you from the website....and you find new waiting children every day. It's tough to keep your head up and keep hoeing that row every day. It's tough to keep asking for money. The need is so great, Lord....I am but one...we are but a few....and He reminds me "it doesn't matter how many are waiting, I will give you the means to FIND THEM and to find FAMILIES for them". And He does. Every single day. No matter what the challenge, no matter how weary we feel, no matter how overwhelmed, helpless, or behind the 8-ball it seems....keep your head up and shoulders back.
Celebrate with us....6 years! Celebrate LIFE, LOVE, and HOPE with our new video!
Andrea
Celebrating 6 years of service to orphans with special needs.
1:21:00 PM
My Own Little Starfish

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Historically our Angel Tree has
only included our waiting orphans with Down syndrome from 0-5 years of
age. We have averaged approx (185) children on the Tree each year. But
every year we have advocates and donors ask us “PLEASE, can you include
the older kids, or the other angels, or the kids with HIV”? Let not your heart be troubled, we have heard you! We KNOW that “it makes a difference to this one“. So this year we are going to give three children in each category a chance for a spot on our Angel Tree, complete with photo stickers and available ornaments! And YOU get to play a very important role in which children get that opportunity. We hope this will provide even greater visibility and awareness for ALL of our waiting children. |
The details, read carefully:
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Categories:
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| The Fine Print: |
Drawing: |
It Makes a Difference to This One!
9:34:00 PM
"It Makes a Difference
to This One"
is our newest
is our newest
awareness campaign!
Please let the world know that
it DOES matter,
each child,
each adoption,
each family,
each CHANCE to be found....matters.
| Grab our buttons & other graphics from the blog! |
What you can do:
|
Visit the RR Shop!
for 'It Makes a Difference' gear!
(Other items, including car magnets & posters to be added soon!)
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It Makes a Difference to This One!
Anderson Josh Heather Doyle Fischer Andrew Alex Lily Finn Valentin Joey Danny Dawson Isaac Alana Cole Calista Elvira Masha Christopher Chloe Aaron Clare Josephine Carter Carl Valerie Olivia Ethan Genesis Selah Gigi Delia Stellan Kylen Lina Meghan Lee Adam Nessie Sunny Lillian Garrett James Rafferty Milana Zenya Ilyuza Eddie Edwin Ezekiel Oleg Shane Anna Bradley Bryant Brooks Andrey Taylah Angela Reese Patrick Easton Gracie Braeden Savannah Sharon Lucy Shawn Levi Kathleen Gayle Dillon Shawna Lindsay Anthony Kody Broderick Adriana Shasha Michael Elena Ivan Peter Emory Andriy Harlene Khloe Melissa Sterling Blake Phillip Anika Connor Christine Oscar Addison Turner Wallace Dima Diana Jaclyn Harper Antonio Kirk Lori Darlene Abel Georgia Henry Matthew Danil Nastya Moira Vera Angie Neal Vaughn Gage Lydiah Peyton Peter Dillon Wilson Dariya Dima Stacie Myron Cliff Ivan Andrey Winston Siblings Danil Kareen Pauline Andrew Elliott Xavier Anya Max Lena Trenton SHARE:Click on the image to download
Click on large graphic above to download story
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