Blogging about life in Minnesota, raising our six kids with Down syndrome while battling Breast Cancer.

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor in the morning the devil says, "Oh shit! She's up!"

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Bringing Sasha Home


Meet Sasha! Isn't she a lovely little girl? Sasha is an orphan in Eastern Europe. She recently turned 5 years old, only for her it wasn't a celebration. Instead it meant a move to a place far worse than where she's spent her life thus far.

In her country, when children who have Down Syndrome turn 5 and have not yet been adopted, they're moved to a mental institution where they live out their days starving, cold, and unloved. They are left to waste away until they are killed by some horrible illness, malnutrition or severe deyhdration kills them. In most cases, these children are no longer available for adoption and are, for all intense purposes, dead to the world.

But for Sasha, there is hope! She doesn't know, but she has a family here in the US trying desperately to get her out of this certain death sentences. The Cornish Family. Because her process was started before she was moved, Sasha will still be able to be adopted. The Cornish family is well into the process, and is hoping to be told they'll be traveling to get Sasha in February. Until then, Sasha is living the life of all the other orphans in the institution. A miserable, hopeless existance. There are many of us praying daily that her body, mind, and soul can hold on to a hope she doesn't know exists. That when she gets home, her new family will be able to love her back to health and healing. The Cornish family can use our help, even if it's only a couple of dollars. Please, help bring this angel home to warmth, love, and happiness that she would otherwise die never having felt any of it.

There are a lot of children just like her, waiting...getting ready to "celebrate" their birthday. Visit Reece's rainbow. You'll find lots of ways you can donate, and the children who are in the most desperate of situations are noted. Those are children who's birthday's are approaching and will be given their death sentences of life within the institutions.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is a heartbreaking story. What an amazing family. I will keep all of those little kiddos in my prayers.

Meredith said...

I'm in tears. I didnt expect to find this waiting for me, but am blessed that you posted for us. Thank you! We appreciate all the love and support that has been given to us by our wonderful online community. Thanks Leah!

Meredith