Anticipation

I've been thinking about all the wonderful things we'll be able to see at this year's conference. One thing I'm very excited about is that Reece's Rainbow will be there! I can't wait! For those of you unfamiliar with them, Reece's Rainbow is an organization that advocates for the adoption of children with special needs from other countries.

"Why other countries", you ask? Why not "our own" kids?

Well, here in our own wonderful nation, there are often waiting lists to adopt a child with Down syndrome. Children (and adults) with special needs can receive help by asking any of a large number of local and national programs designed to support them.

Over in some other countries (Russia, Latin America, China), children born with Down syndrome are considered cursed or useless. They are quite often abandoned by their parents at the hospitals or government-run orphanages. Many of these orphanages do not have the financial, social, or emotional support of their communities. This means they cannot feed the children enough food, clothe them with clean clothes that fit them, or offer them the love and attention they so desperately need and deserve. The older generation, especially, still tends to view these children as cursed or untouchable and will avoid them and neglect them at all costs.

"It can't be that bad!" you say?

How about the 3 1/2 year old that came home weighing just 11 pounds? This is not an isolated incident. How about the children that are transferred, once they reach the age of 4 or 5 (we're talking Kindergarten age in the U.S.A.) to mental institutions that do not differentiate between child care and adult care? How about the staggering percentage (up to 80%) that die within 1 year of being transferred? If they can't walk and feed and clean and dress themselves, so many are left to lie in their beds and waste away. What a horrible, lonely way for a child to die.

I would ask that if you're at the convention, to please stop by the Reece's Rainbow table and offer your support and a kind word or two; or maybe even a dollar or two you'd spend on coffee for the day, to help their efforts to save these children.

If you can't be at the convention this year, you can still help! Go to their web site (below) to see how you can help in your own way. I don't want you to be overwhelmed with sadness, but spurred to action to help these children and to support organizations that advocate for them. Take a peek at www.reecesrainbow.org to read the inspiring and miraculous stories of redemption for these beautiful, deserving children.

I can't wait to meet the people from this inspiring organization!