This boy has stolen my heart!

This boy is so cute, but we can't take him.
He is set to be transferred to a mental institution in just six months. He cannot be adopted from there and will live out the rest of his life in a crib. Children adopted at this age have tremendous potential to grow and develop once they have the love and nurture of a forever family! Please consider saving this adorable boy.

**I removed his pic - I think his country does not allow photos on public blogs. I'm not positive but better safe than sorry! But I can direct you to pictures if you'd like!**

BOY, Born February 4, 2005

SIGNIFICANT RISK, PLEASE ADOPT ME SOON!!
Monroe is a sunshine of a little boy! He is already 5 and blessed to still be at the baby house. He needs a family right away!

From a missionary who visited with him in June 2010: I met with the doctor in his Groupa House who brought me back to meet him. The Head Doctor wanted me to meet the children who needed equipment. While measuring him for a chair, she explained to me what was more important was that he get a family. He will be transferred in six months to the worst institution, restrained in a crib in a dark room. She broke into tears! Monroe has spastic cerebral palsy in all four limbs and is globally delayed. He is able to recognize the voices of his careworkers and understand simple directions. However, due to his spasticity he is unable to do much of anything. No speech. With therapy he can improve but will always have limitations. I measured his head circumference and once home will check with a doctor regarding whether or not he is microcephalic as well. I will try to gather more information on him today. His temperament was sweet and his eyes twinkled. He needs a family fast!

From an adoptive family who visited with him in June 2009: Monroe has CP. It appears that he is unable to use his arms and legs and is not sitting up on his own. He has the most beautiful smile and I don’t think there is much of a cognitive delay. He loves to be held and his whole face lights up when you come near him.”

*** Monroe has an incredible benefactor who has offered a FULL GRANT of $20,000 for his adoption. He is facing imminent institutionalization, and will regress quickly once he is transferred. Families who are qualified (www.reecesrainbow.org/newfamily.html) to adopt internationally and who are approved to adopt a significantly delayed child should contact Andrea for more information. This is a very fast program and it is very possible to have him home before the end of 2010! ***

143,000,000 Million Orphans

...have been keeping me from my blog. At night I am looking at their pictures, researching adoption and down syndrome, reading blogs. I've found several great blogs and I've been spending hours reading their stories from the beginning. One family in MN brought home THREE little orphans with DS this year! They're pretty cute. The MINUTE I can convince Ken, we're getting one! There's a few kids who have stolen my heart, and some of them have already found families - YAY! In Eastern Europe, special needs orphans get put into mental institutions when they are about 4-5. Most of them die within the year. It makes me so sad to think of little children dying without anyone there who loves them.

On to happier things...My darling boy gives kisses! It is the most darling thing I have ever seen. He grabs your chin and puts his big open mouth on your cheek! Grandpa Meyer was the first to get kisses. He doesn't give them very often though, true to form, doling out this new skill at his leisure. Another new skill is rolling over onto his tummy! He has ONLY done this in his crib so far - I think he uses the crib sides for leverage. This has led to drama at naptime - when he's supposed to be sleeping, I hear angry screaming and run up the stairs to rescue him and roll him back over!

A few days ago I was trying to teach Brennan to bang on things. He doesn't really do much with toys except eat them, so I am trying to expand his horizons! I gave him a wooden spoon and we banged on the table together. When I let go of his arm, he started swinging his arm away, but couldn't quite get the spoon to hit anything! I was glad to see him try though. It's pretty neat to watch him learn. I'm making him do more on his own - go after toys, explore toys, etc. since he's quite old enough to do more than lay there and chew a toy, even if that is his favorite! He surprises me with his skills! It shouldn't, because of COURSE he is a smart boy!

Brennan is also such a happy boy! Today my grandma and I went to city-wide garage sales, pretty much all day. At the end of the day, Brennan was hungry, tired, and probably bored. But when I peeked through the car window at him, he still gave me his darling smile! What a cutie. He has such joy in him! I hope it never fades. :-)