TRANSFER is a Four Letter Word

In many parts of Eastern Europe, parents who give birth to children with special needs, lacking the social support systems we have built up in this country, feel unable to care for their children, and sometimes before even leaving the hospital, surrender them to the care of orphanages, or 'baby houses'.  They believe their children will have better lives there.  They will be able to get the medical care they need, that their parents can't afford.  They may have a chance at being adopted by a family who can care for those needs.  They can live out their lives with other people 'like them'... where someone is paid to care for them.

According to society in these countries, it's the right thing to do.  Bringing home a disabled child and trying to raise him/her by yourself is nearly unheard of.  And so, in droves, babies are delivered from hospitals or parents arms to baby houses, where they lie in cribs in rooms full of other children in the same predicament.  Most of the time, the parents who gave birth to these babies never see them again.

This... becomes home.

Some baby houses do their very best to take care of children and nurture them, albeit on very limited resources.

Some baby houses are in between.  They have very little for the children to 'play' with, so they are left to self stimulate... reach out for anything interesting or different.

Some... are downright criminal.

Katie was nine years old when this was taken in the baby house for children 0-3.

But... did you catch that I didn't call them 'orphanages' but maybe once?  I called them 'baby houses'.  Why?  The answer is simple.  They are for babies.  Orphaned babies.  Babies with special needs.

What of children?  Orphaned children?  Children with special needs?

They don't just disappear after they're surrendered to the baby house.  Not unless they die, which they do.  The age varies by region, but a child is eventually transferred OUT of the baby house... be it a good one or a bad one.  Usually, children are between four and six years old at the age of transfer.  Hardly babies... but still very small and vulnerable.  Here in America, our children have Thomas the Train birthday cakes and candles to blow out.  In Eastern Europe, their birthday gift is transfer.

So... where do they transfer them to?  They have baby houses... surely child houses come next, right?  Children's homes.

Sometimes.  If they're lucky.

But special needs children?  No, their futures are almost always much darker.  There will be no 'children's home' for them.  They are still transferred... but to an adult mental institution.

TRANSFER.

If you're an orphan advocate or an adoptive family, it's one of the ugliest words you've ever seen.  Your stomach drops when you see it on a child's profile... like it is on these ones... only a few of many profiles that read similarly.

Marla

Girl, Born March 2007

FACING IMMINENT TRANSFER!!!

Poor sweet Marla……….she was born with severe CP.   She has a loving personality, but is completely immobile on her own.  She is facing transfer soon and will remain bedridden the rest of her life if she is not adopted  (

From her medical records:   Congenital malformation of the CNS: microcephaly, spastic tetraparesis.   Can not walk.   Does not speak. 

Married couples only, older parents and large families welcome, travel required.   More photos available. 

$2232.93 is available towards the cost of my adoption!

Sophia

Girl, born April 2008
Eyes: Gray
Hair: Black
Nature: Passive

Diagnosis: Down syndrome

What a blessing, an updated photo!!   She looks so much better, but she is facing transfer this year.   Please, let’s find Sophia a family!

$1497.00 is available towards the cost of my adoption, including $1.00 from Angel Tree donations!

Arthur

Boy, born July 2008
Nature: Quiet
Diagnosis: Down syndrome

So glad to have new photos of Arthur, he is growing up so fast!   Arthur is 4 years old and is facing transfer to the institution.

$5310.50 is available towards the cost of my adoption,including $310.50 from Angel Tree donations!

Look at Arthur.  Look at the toys behind him, the joy on his face.  He's still in his baby house.  But it's right there in plain english... 'facing transfer'.  

What happens when Arthur is transferred?  What happens when four, five, six year old children with disabilities are sent to adult mental institutions?

In my mind, Ksenia is the face of transfer.  If you haven't already... meet Ksenia.  The little girl whose face is seared into my mind forever, the little girl whose photos I don't need to look at to remember the tragedy.

Ksenia before transfer

Ksenia after transfer

Yes.  That is the same little girl.  

THIS... is what TRANSFER means.

Take a look at some of the other faces of transfer.  Ksenia is not alone.  Her case is not an isolated incident.

SONNY

NATHAN

And that's it for before/after pictures tonight.  Then there are these kids... who knows what they looked like, how full of life they might have been before they were transferred?

Hope is 15

Irina is 8

Victoria is 7

Zulfira is 7

TRANSFER.

It is the greatest tragedy of their already traumatic lives.

And it is inevitable.

Unless they are adopted.

Take a look again at Ksenia, Zulfira, Victoria, Irina, Sonny.  They are all in the same country as my precious angel tree boy, Elden.  This one.

Look at the joy on his face, the light in his eyes, the way he shakes his rattles with enthusiasm.  Elden is clearly in a baby house that does its best to take care of the children.  He has been lucky, thus far.  

But Elden is five.  He will turn six in February.  The upper age limit at which children in his country are usually transferred.  

If he is not adopted, Elden will be transferred.  The tragedy that happened to Zulfira, Ksenia, Irina, Sonny, all the others... will become his tragedy too.  The joy will disappear from his face.  The light will go out in his eyes.  His sweet chunky little legs will thin out until they are skin and bone.  

I can't tell you how much this thought breaks my heart.

We can't let this happen.  Not to this little boy who is so full of joy and life.

We don't just need to raise money for Elden this Christmas - we need to find his family.  Before it's too late.  This may be Elden's last chance.

Families are intimidated by the costs and requirements of his region, but more and more successful adoptions are occurring there.  I have encouraging information specifically about some of the children in region 14, including Elden, who are lucky enough to have some of the most dedicated and serious advocates I have ever encountered.  If you are considering that this little boy might just be your son... would you please e-mail me to talk about him at Callmecrazycbus@hotmail.com?  I would love to tell you more about him and his region.

And if you're not in a position to adopt right now, that's okay.  But you can still help.  Click the button on the right hand side of my blog.  Make a donation, buy Elden's Angel Tree ornament and hang him on your tree and keep him in prayer in this season of giving... if you can't afford the ornament (I am his warrior and I am having to save for it) then ANY donation will help... just a few dollars, if you can spare them.  I don't want anyone to go without food or warmth or comfort to give - but when I look at what we have, and then at what they have... I can't help but think surely there's something I could give up to help.  

And even if you literally don't have a single penny in your posession (trust me, this is a situation I am not a stranger to!)... please share Elden.  His most important need is a family!  Yes, we want to raise his grant, we want to get him over $1,000 for Angel Tree (and watch me lose some hair, which I promise to be amusing), but he could have all the money in the world and it won't mean a thing until a family comes for him. Share him.  Share this post.  Share this blog.  Tell everyone you know.  Tell them what TRANSFER means. 

And please... please, don't let it happen to this joyful, vibrant little boy.