Adoption ban in Russia

This is so awful:

http://rt.com/politics/passes-ban-us-adoptions-834/

Quote from our friend Brenda:

"...thousands upon thousands of children will NEVER know the love and care of a family if this ban remains. Families who have already committed and visited and fallen in love with their children may not be able to continue their adoptions. This affects so many of my friends. Please pray this does not pass and that Russia will not make their children pay with their lives.  In some instances, children in Russia are already legally part of American families. Those families were required to return home for a 30 day wait and may not be able to return to get children that are legally theirs."

I can't believe it.  Please pray that President Putin will veto this ban.  Thousands of children (especially those with special needs) will be lost if this passes.

"Caregivers in particular fear the new rules will hit the most disadvantaged children because foreign [US] adoptive parents are often ready to adopt kids rejected by Russian families" - Agence France-Presse

Sweet Henry

 

 

Yesterday the world lost a beautiful soul.  Precious Henry Augustin Dobrovits passed away from complications of surgery at the age of 2. His loving mother, Carla, never left his side.

 

Henry was rescued from Eastern Europe a little over a year ago and was shown immense unconditional love from his mama, family, and countless others.  He leaves a huge legacy of saving several other children, as he and his family's adoption journey had a massive ripple effect on so many others.  He truly is a little angel.

 

You can follow his beloved journey at: Bringing Henry Home.  If you are new to the RR family, you may recognize this blog as Carla is Oliver's prayer warrior and the one who donated handmade bracelets towards his fundraiser.

 

 

I can imagine Henry now sitting in God's arms, happily eating some french fries.  One day he will look up and see all the ones he loved again, but until then please say a prayer that the Lord will comfort the Dobrovits family, and thank Him for this wonderful blessing he let us all see.

 

 

Rest peacefully sweet boy.  You are loved by so many.



MIRACLES!!!

I can barely type this out without taking a break to skip around the room in joy!

OUR OLIVER! HAS FOUND! HIS FAMILY!!!!!!

[EDIT November 2014:] The NOLAN!!!! Family is Oliver's (and Andrew's!!) family!!!!  Miracles were made and meant to be.  They are so, so, perfect for him.  And he is perfect for them!  And he has been home with them for months!

PTL!  5 years he has waited!  5 years in a crib!  And now soon, freedom!  He will also come home with a new brother that has been with him in his orphanage!  I can't contain my excitement!

Thanks to your generous donations, this family is so close to paying the full ransom for these boys... but they still have a little more to go.  I have permission from our dear friend Leila to paste part of her blog in this post since she can explain so much better than I.  (Full post is here: http://orphanreport.blogspot.com/2012/11/ahhhhh-good-news.html)

God bless the [NOLANS!!] for taking these precious boys into their hearts and home, and thanks for spreading the word on your own blogs, facebook, and twitter!

Vote Vote!

First some good news.... Roland has found a family!

He will be such a blessing to them!

In other news, (I can't believe I didn't post this sooner) Reece's Rainbow only has two more days to accumulate votes in order to win $50,000.  If they win, they will put $5,000 in the sponsor accounts of ten waiting children.  This could greatly help these children get adopted.  If you have a facebook account, all you need to do is vote today and tomorrow.  We have no idea of knowing if they are in the lead, so if you are 21 and over please click the link below and submit your vote!

http://www.cultivatewines.com/cause/49260/

 

Thank you!

Blankets and Diapers for Oliver (and many more!)

Have you been wanting to do something to help these children that would have immediate results?  But you probably can't travel to Europe, shipping costs are inconceivable, and sending money straight to an international orphanage may not be a good idea.  Right?  Weeell have I got a deal for you. A great opportunity has come up to help Oliver and the orphans he's living with!

The Stout family is in U adopting their sweet boy, and they are prepared to buy and deliver some much needed items to the orphanage.  Winter is coming and the place is in need of blankets, new clothes without holes, diapers, rash cream, etc.  The poor bums of these babies are soaking from the cloth diapers they wear all day and it would be heaven to give them a break with fresh clean diapers to help heal their sores and purple rashes.

What a fantastic opportunity.  They are also using their FSP to collect the money, so when you donate, RR will send you a tax deductible receipt.  Two great things in one!  Imagine what $10 or $20 or even $5 can provide.  Anything to bring comfort to these little ones would be worth it, even for a minute.

For more information and to donate, please visit their blog post here:
http://teamstout.wordpress.com/orphanage-supplies/

Thank you for helping Oliver and many other baby booty's heal!

Awareness Month in Oct

I guess October is the month to be aware of a lot of things.  One of the many is Dwarfism.  Hooray!  This gives me the perfect excuse reason to show more adorable little people in need of families.  Of course Oliver has completely stolen my heart and everyday I pray he finds his miracle family, but these little ones are easily making their way in too:

 

Sweet Roland.  Roland was born in 2008 and has a type of dwarfism called Robinow Syndrome.  He is just gorgeous! His profile says that he has great gross/fine motor skills and participates with the other children.  More information about this very do-able condition is here: http://www.robinow.org/

 

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Oh my heart...  This little boy is 3 and has Achondroplasia (like us).  Achondroplasia is the most common form of dwarfism.  Please let me know if you are interested in bringing him home so I can pass your inquiry on to our LPA adoption coordinator: kimandronniedavis [at] gmail [dot] com
 

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Sadie.  This precious girl was born in 2005 and has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI).  She is such a beauty and can identify colors and shapes.  More information about OI is here: http://www.oif.org

 

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Yue is 5 years old and appears to have Diastrophic Dysplasia (like Oliver!)  He is a happy little boy that needs a loving family.

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This beautiful boy also appears to be Diastrophic.  He is 10 years old and living in a mental institution - even though he's completely cognitive.  He would have so much potential if a mom and dad helped him get out of there and showed him the world. (LPA will also consider giving a grant for him)
 

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What a sweetheart!  This 10 yr old girl has been waiting so long for her momma.  Just imagine her with long beautiful hair.  She also has a $4200 grant to go along with her adoption!

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Patrick.  Patrick is 8 and has OI.  He is newly listed on RR and sounds like such a sweetie.  It looks like he's also available to single moms!  Please go take a look at his profile!

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This 8 year old is undiagnosed at the moment, but longs to have a family.  He has said that he's happy for the other children who find their parents, but sad that no one ever comes for him.  I believe there is a video available of him as well.

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Moses is ready to be found!  I'm unsure of his dwarfism type, though he also has a hearing condition.  Look at his profile - it seems like he's such a smart boy.

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Many more of these children who wish for a family can be found at the LPA adoption site below:

 http://lpaadoption.blogspot.com/p/available-children.html

 

Aren't they so easy to love?

 

Again, if you would like any information on these children and cannot find what you are looking for, please email us at: kimandronniedavis [at] gmail [dot] com so we can get LPA's adoption coordinator to help you.

Diastrophic Dysplasia (DD)

This is the type of dwarfism we think Oliver has.  Naturally, you may be curious about it.  Is it a big deal?  Are they cognitive?  Can they walk?  What does it all mean?

I've pulled some information together in hopes that it may lead to his rescue.  I pray it will ease the worries if [you] or a family have been on the fence about adopting him or any other child with this condition.

This link is a great place to start:

http://pixelscapes.com/ddhelp/

It has tips, medical information and also lets you know what is common, what is fixable, and what may be a challenge that can eventually be overcome.

It also has a link to photos of adults and adorable children with DD. :

http://pixelscapes.com/ddhelp/people.html

Do you see how much potential Oliver could have?  If someone would have just fixed his little club feet he could possibly be walking.  Instead he lays in a crib every single minute, trapped, bored, and succumbing to his bed sores.

And yes, like most types of dwarfism, DDs are cognitively normal.  He is only 5 and he knows he is suffering.

Below are a few people who have this type of dwarfism.  I recommend visiting these links, as you may have heard of one or two before. :

Chris Errera:  An incredible musician and recording artist.  (Look him up on YouTube.)

Matt Roloff: Wonderful speaker, businessman, and father on Little People Big World

Are your worries fading yet?  One more.

Scooter Patterson: PARALYMPIAN swimmer from Australia


This is why I see so much hope in Oliver, and I hope someone soon does too.

Don't let him be forgotten

This past week I watched a video that showed a mental institution in Ukra*ne.  By some miracle, a few missionaries were allowed to go inside, hand out food, and take photos.  I don't know how close this place is to Oliver, but it's probably very similar to one he'd be sent to soon.  I cried like a baby after seeing it and seeing the woman with dwarfism (3:01) made me sob harder.  It could have been my friends, it could have been one of us, it could have been my son.  How were we blessed with a life full of opportunity while she sits there indefinitely?  Is she able to tell them they made a mistake?  Is she able to show them how capable she is?  She was most likely abandoned by her family, thrown into this life very young, passed by as she aged, forgotten, and had no chance to show anyone that she could think for herself.  Her brain works.  Her heart works.  She could have been a doctor.  She could have gotten married.  She could have had a family.  Same for Oliver.  Same for so many of these sweet children.  I can't understand, but it's why I holler.

Here's the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp7t7SGPQ9M

(A post from a family who adopted from an institution is also worth reading here: http://butbygraceitcouldbeme.blogspot.com/2012/09/sadists.html )

Oliver cannot be destined for this!

Do you see this sweetheart?  Have you been consistently returning to look at his sad face?  Do you check everyday or so for an update?  Are you brushing off that particular feeling that keeps you coming back?  Are you longing to smooch his sweet forehead?  I am begging.  Look at him again.

He is yours!  GO get him!
 

$7500+

Hooray!  The grant in Oliver's account is now matched!  Feel free to continue adding if led!

And now the most important part ever... finding him a family.  He needs someone to hold him, love him, heal those poor wounds, and feed him a proper meal...

Please don't hesitate to show his precious face to anyone you think may have a place for him.  Below is a quote I found from another family.  They fell in love with a sweet 12 year old boy by just seeing him on someone else's blog and are in the process of fundraising to bring him home.

"You may be saying, “heck no, adoption is not for us, sayonara!” But this fight isn’t an all or nothing game.  There are many ways you can make a true difference, at varying commitment levels.  You can yell, really loud all over the internet, advocating for a particular waiting orphan you feel a connection with.  It works, it gets these kids noticed.  We are living proof of this – it’s how we learned of our son." - http://1000lovingjack.com/

So yelling and fussing and praying can work.  Even if it isn't Oliver, have you seen another child you've connected with?  Do you feel the need to do something about it?  Spread the word!

If any of our hollering has pushed Oliver to a new family, the reward of knowing we all were a small piece of his journey will be much greater than we'd expect.

New Picture of Oliver!

Isn't he beautiful?  Don't you wish you could just could scoop him up, smooch on those perfect cheeks and cuddle him tons?  I do.  Such a sweetheart.  I really hate to see those sores on his face though...  He desperately needs a momma.

RR still hasn't cashed that darn check yet.  Hopefully soon...

We did it!

YAY!  His grant has met the full match amount!  You all are AMAZING!  I can't even begin to say how thankful we are!!

Our matching $2000 check (to avoid paypal fees) will go out today and RR should be cashing it for Oliver next week.  Stay tuned!

http://reecesrainbow.org/32923/oliver

4 days to go

This is a reminder that there are only four days left to double your donation to Oliver.  At this time, he is only $518 away from receiving his full match.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying, spreading the word, and especially to the ones who are giving their own pennies away.  The greatest gift is giving something to someone who may never know who you are and will never have the ability to repay you.  It's amazing to see that much good in people.

The money given will go into Oliver's account and will stay until his future family starts the adoption, does their home study, gets approval, completes their dossier, and finally receives a committed travel date.  Only then will the money be released to Oliver's new family.

So if you were holding off on donating your dollar, then please consider that now is the time!  Any amount is perfect and appreciated.

Keep spreading the news

In case you are a new viewer and don't have a lot of time, make sure you read the post below called: Oliver.  He's most likely the reason why you clicked onto this page.

So far all of you and your friends have raised almost $900 for Oliver.  Incredible job.  We have a little over a week left and he still is lying in wait, so let's do our best to keep it going.

We'll try to keep you updated on his situation.  It is so good to see how passionate some of you are about this.  And please continue to share his story.  Until he's safe and home, I feel we're not off the hook.

Grateful

796 people have visited this blog since it was posted 3 days ago.  We are humbled and grateful for all our friends and complete strangers that have been donating and spreading the word about this little guy.  We pray it continues strong!

I was sent another link of a family who adopted a super cute boy from Oliver's orphanage (below).  It was heartbreaking to read.  We're so glad his family found him: http://www.allarepreciousinhissight.com/2012/01/day-14-livid.html

In (much!) greater news, we received a comment from a family currently visiting Oliver's orphanage.  They are adopting their own sweet girl and have said that Oliver was spotted outside!  And was held!  And he's beautiful.  I pray and hope this means his facility is taking greater strides to nurture these orphans.  It makes me slightly comforted that there may be at least a few nannies who care.

But Oliver still needs a home to be loved and safe everyday.  He is still very much at risk for being sent to an institution.  Carla (momma to Henry) has generously offered an incentive to anyone that donates $100 to Oliver's grant.  Her two girls will custom make them a beautiful beaded bracelet, with blown glass and semi-precious stones.  To take advantage of this wonderful offer, visit her link here:

http://bringinghenryhome.blogspot.com/2012/08/all-oliverall-time.html

Please continue to share Oliver's story, and thank you again for your contribution.  You all are truly helping this boy get adopted.

Oliver

Oliver is an adorable 5 year-old boy living in an Ukra*nian orphanage.  Just look at those lips!  He has lived his whole life confined to a crib and everyday he waits alone in this same position.  Soon Oliver will be sent to an institution where he'll most certainly be bedridden indefinitely.

Several familes have witnessed that this precious boy isn't held or shown affection.  The nannies who look after the children will lean over the crib railing to feed him a bottle so they won't have to hold him close.  I've heard that he doesn't get to play, or have a bath, or go outside, or even make noise.  And some parents believed the children are kept silent by fear of being hit or thrown so I can see why he'd be quiet.  One mother who saw Oliver said:

"This little boy is available for adoption on Reecesrainbow. He was in Victoria's room. He has a form of dwarfism. He was never let out of his crib. His postion was never changed. They kept him covered up with a blanket so no one would have to see him."
  

  

Covered up!  Because he has dwarfism?  I can't even stand it.  It's so heartbreaking and the more we read, the more we regretted.  But it ended up motivating us.

So Ronnie and I prayed for what we needed to do.  In the end it unfortunately looks like Oliver may not be meant for us, but we still couldn't let go of him.

As I mentioned below, we shortly came across Leila's site (who is helping us spread the word here!) and she gave us a brilliant idea.

From now until August 19th, we are fully committed to match any donations to Oliver's Reece's fund, dollar for dollar, up to $2000.  This way your $10 will become $20, your $100 will turn into $200, and so on.

How fantastic would it be to help make adopting this boy a little easier?  Some families adopting special needs children may eventually receive a partial tax refund, but bringing home one of these cuties can cost around $26,000 - $30,000 upfront.  Reece's Rainbow is a 501(c)3 non profit charity (tax ID# 20-5466141) so your donations are tax deductible and it could very well be the push his forever family needs to go out there and get him!

If you happen to be in the position where you are unable to donate money, please share this information with anyone you can.  Your sharing just might be the ticket for a brand new family to see him and fall in love.

It says on Oliver's Profile that he has Achondroplasia, though a few of us believe this was mistaken for Diastrophic Dysplasia. Many of our wonderful friends have this type of dwarfism and are out there walking, dancing, and getting crazy!  Oliver could have had so much potential if this place gave him a little therapy - and we still believe he has so much more. He truly deserves a life, cuddles, and tons of love.
 

  

More information about the conditions of Oliver's orphanage can be found on the blogs below. These amazing families are doing some great things!:
  
   

http://adozenreasonsandmore.blogspot.com/2012/07/family-can-make-difference.html

http://wronginalltherightways-travcat.blogspot.com/2012/07/9192-hours-of-hope.html

 

Thank you so much for reading this, and please donate here if you can (our goal is to reach $5546.80 in two weeks!), and/or share, and pray for these kids!

      

How it started.

In a nutshell, I have dwarfism.  My family doesn't and my husband's family doesn't, but he and our son also have it.  Our type is called Achondroplasia which means the bones in our arms and legs are short, we need step-stools (or a talent for climbing) to reach things, and will have a few people stare at us for the rest of our lives.  It really isn't that big of a deal.

In the midst of raising our 1 year old, Ronnie and I stumbled across the world of much needed adoption advocacy - little person adoptions, specifically.  We had tossed around the idea of adopting before since I had severe hyperemesis my entire pregnancy, and would frequently look at the adorable faces on the LPA Adoptions page and others - even though we knew we weren't in the position to adopt anytime soon.  We would feel so sad to see some of the same children who hadn't found their family yet and would usually pray for them and go on with our day.

Then a few months ago, a wonderful lady wrote me.  She had adopted a beautiful boy internationally who had Achondroplasia and left me the link to her blog to look at.  This little boy was so easy to fall for!  He was thriving and smiling and fitting into the family perfectly.  Reading further, we became horrified by the conditions some of these international orphanages were in and neglect some of these kids would go through.  We were so ignorant.  I couldn't believe the way the nannies would treat the children they were supposed to protect.

More research led us to Oliver.



And that was it.  We fell in love with him and were hooked.  We've seen his photo before but never knew his story, and after a lot of prayer we felt led to do something.  If we couldn't take him, we needed to help whatever family could.

This is when I truly believe the Lord led us to Leila's blog.  She had previously been advocating so hard for Oliver and did a matching grant to get his adoption funds from $13 to over $3000!  What heart!  Genius!  This is what we would do.  A matching grant.  A matching grant to kick-start his funds again and draw more interest in his adoption.  And that's how it started.