You can't go onto the Reece's Rainbow Christmas Angel Tree and not fall in love with someone... usually people pick one or two as their favorites. Several months ago as I was browsing the site, I fell in love with this beautiful girl:
Lera - Born: August 7, 2005
Lera is a gorgeous little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. She is 4 years old. She is quite high functioning, and doing very well. She has flat feet and a systolic heart murmur, but no major heart conditions. She is able to walk and climb, she eats by herself, dances, and understands and follows directions. She has also been transferred to the regular class, so she is living and learning with her typical peers.
Lera lives in Russia and if a family does not commit to her within the next few DAYS, her time will be up. She will be sent to a mental institution where she will then be unadoptable. She will spend out the rest of her days tied down to a crib... left there to die. She will get no medical care, hardly any food, and no love. She will never have parents to call her own. My heart aches just thinking about it.
There's a grant of $1,000 available to the family that adopts her. I will help you fundraise if you commit to her! We have been praying for this precious girl for a long time and to hear that her time is running out is killing me inside. Lera deserves a chance to live, to be happy, to go to school and have friends and have a mom and dad to hug her and kiss her owies and soothe her when she has a bad dream. She deserves a chance to be a ballerina or dress up like a princess for Halloween, if she wants to... she doesn't deserve to be tied to a crib and left to die. Just because she has Down syndrome.
Here are the specifications for Russia:
* 2 trips
* Both parents for first trip, about one week
* Both parents travel for 2nd trip, approximately 14 days
(One parent may leave after the court proceedings are finalized, after about 5 days.)
* Total program and travel fees under $25k
* Fee includes a $1000 orphanage donation
* Only one child can be adopted at a time
* Married couples and single mothers may apply
Could you be Lera's parents? She's waiting...
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10 comments:
Oh my heart is just breaking, tears running down my cheeks. Look at that beautiful little girl - so capable and full of life and she looks happy...and to know she could have that all ripped away from her so very soon. To be sent to an institution and have her life drastically changed like that - I just don't understand...there she is learning with her typical peers and growing and thriving, and they won't see that at the mental institution...they'll just let her fade away :( Now she is heavy on my heart and will be in my prayers for that forever family to find her.
Oh how I would love to say she should be my daughter. But I know it wouldn't be fair to her or my other children. But as I tell my older girls, I can look at all the cuties I want to!
Janet, mom to
Olivia (10), Ruthie (8), Luke (7,blcp,ASD) my gang from China
omg that breaks my heart. I can't believe they really do tie them down and leave them to die....REALLY?! That is killing me to read that. Poor, poor Lera!! I have a huge passion for special needs kids but especially those with DS. Oh how I wish dh and I could afford it. I hope that someone steps up and accepts her into their lives.
To Jeff & Aleigh (and anyone else stressed over the financial side of adoption)
If finances is all that's keeping you, go for it! I know that sounds naive but I've been a missionary who was supported by the funds of many people who had never met me...God can do much bigger things than provide some finances! It's not even $25k...small potatoes for a big God. :)
I really do realize how crazy that sounds, 25k is a huge sum...but I promise we serve a bigger God. And maybe there are other circumstances, I don't know you, I'm not trying to call you out or anything, just saying...if that's your only hesitation, go for it!
Renee is a "stay-at-home mom" so they are doing this on one income, I'm sure there were times when that sum seemed overwhelming, but Kellsey is theirs. And it sounds like Renee would help out with fundraising...she did a pretty great job the first time around! :)
Oh..I am absolutely heartbroken after reading this story. What a BEAUTIFUL little angel! Unfortunately for me, I don't think I am a candidate to adopt this beautiful girl (I would do it in a second!!) I am a single mom (3 girls still at home) that has been laid off from work for 6 months! Trying to support the children that I have with no child support assistance! I have a 12 year old daughter with DS and she is an amazing child! I would take another one to love and care for and become a part of our family in a minute!! But, I don't think the agencies would accept me :( SOMEONE that WOULD qualify PLEASE HELP THIS PRECIOUS BABY!! Please keep us updated on her...{{{HUGS FOR LERA}}} My love and prayers are with you Lera.
Love,
Jayne ... mother of Ashley (23), Jessica (14), Danielle (13) and Jennifer (12)..grandmother of Victoria (4)
Renee, you've got my wheels turning......Right now international adoption is not something we can realistically do, but maybe in the future. I have two children under the age of 2 but maybe in a year or so we could think more about this. What a wonderful way to help another child in need of a forver family. I am a PNP and have always taken care of children (I'm a former PICU RN too) with special needs. Maybe this is my new calling???? Thanks for opening my eyes. I love reading about your adventures with your kiddos and now your newest adventure to bring Kellsey home! Best wishes and prayers for your family.
Erika from IL
Mama to Emily (21 months) and Ethan (10 weeks)
Wow - what a beauty!!!! She was born on the date I was due with Bella....
I pray for her and the other children that they find forever families!
Thinking of you guys and praying for continued safety and blessings on your trip!
I have flat feet teehee :)
I am going to get her!!!
BTW: How do you know that she is going to the institution so quick? I was only told "very soon"? Kellsey is such a little lovey--congrats on the newest Garcia!
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