Angels without Pictures

       Every November and December, Reece's Rainbow runs the Angel Tree Fundraiser which aims to raise adoption grants for hundreds of kids waiting for a family. This year, there are still 138 kids who have not yet met the goal of raising an additional $1000 to add to their adoption grant. Time is short! This fundraiser ends at midnight on December 31st. Please click here to meet all of these kids and pick one or more to give a donation to.
        On the Angel Tree, you will see many adorable faces pictured. Maybe you will be drawn to donate to Nels who is currently the closest to meeting his $1000 goal.

      Or maybe you will be captured by the beautiful Cara who currently has only $500 in her grant and is the lowest at the moment. Any of these kids would benefit from your generous gifts and are in need of a loving family.

    But I hope you will also consider giving to a child who is not allowed to have their picture shared on a public website. These are real kids with real personalities and real needs for a family! The laws in their country are intended to protect their privacy, but they actually limit their chances at finding a family. Our family is advocating for Nikolajs for the third year in a row.   His handsome face hangs on our Christmas tree. My kids pray often for "Nikky" and have held a lemonade stand and toy sale for him, have made duct tape hairbows for him, and have helped with a book exchange for him. The past two years, he met his $1000 goal. This year, his grant reads $772 with only a few days left. Would you help us meet the goal this year? Would you share his need for a family? 

       There are other kids on Angel Tree this year who have not met their goal and do not have the advantage of a photo to share publicly. Please consider giving to Shelley, Angelica, Jordan, Adonai, or Crystal! Your donations make a difference. 

Love for Kids who are HIV+ (and a few random notes)

       Hi friends! A few random notes to start out with. First, the 21 Days of Hope Campaign for Reece's Rainbow is still going on. So far, three kids with Down Syndrome have gotten at $2100 grant and there are 18 more in line to benefit. You can read more and give at http://reecesrainbow.org/21daysofhope.  My Angel Tree kiddo Nikolajs is number 17 out of 21 to benefit, so of course I am hoping that the whole campaign makes it!
         Second, my current family warrior family, the Greene family is in country to pick up their son "A." I am excited to share that they currently believe that they are fully funded! They also hope to be able to travel home in less than two weeks from now. Once they are home, I"ll look for a new family to shout for.
     OK, so far I spent last month advocating for kids with special needs who are called "Other Angels" on Reece's Rainbow. I started out this month with mentioning the kids with Down Syndrome since the 21 Days of Hope specifically targets these kids. The final category of kids left are those who are HIV+. Some of these kids are receiving regular medical treatment.
      Meet Prudence! She is 3 years old and lives in Africa.  Her grant has recently increased to $1,144 to help with her adoption expenses. You can read more about Prudence at http://reecesrainbow.org/87778/prudence.

      Next, meet 13-year-old Zebadiah! He lives in Asia and his adoption must be completed by his birthday is July of 2015 or he will age out and be ineligible for adoption.  You can read more about him at http://reecesrainbow.org/67210/zebadiah.

  

      Next, this is Raul who lives in Eastern Europe. Raul has the advantage of having a detailed description from a family who spent significant time with him. He is currently 12 years old. Please read more about Raul at http://reecesrainbow.org/63528/raul.

      Finally, meet Delphine who is currently four years old and lives in Latin America.  Delphine probably has special needs in addition to HIV and needs a family that is ready to love her unconditionally. You can read about Delphine at http://reecesrainbow.org/78756/delphine.

Love for Kids with Down Syndrome

     So, it's a new month, but I still have more kids to feature! If you are familiar with Reece's Rainbow, you will know that it is an orphan advocacy ministry that started out specifically advocating for kids with Down Syndrome.  Over the years, the ministry has grown and expanded to include many different kids with special needs.
       March kicks up a month of special advocacy to raise grants and find families for kids with Down Syndrome called, "March Miracles: 21 Days of Hope." For each of the next 21 days, the goal is to raise $1000 to support the Reece's Rainbow Voice of Hope fund (covers operating costs, paypal fees, etc). As soon as $1000 is raised, a child with Down Syndrome will get a grant of $2100. So your gifts are more than doubled. You can read more and give generously at http://reecesrainbow.org/21daysofhope.
        I want you to meet Jianna, who will receive the first $2100 grant.  Jianna lives in Asia and needs a family to jump on her adoption at warp speed! It must be totally completed before she turns 14 on May 5th. You can read more about her at http://reecesrainbow.org/86118/jianna.

     If a teenager is not your thing, maybe there is room in your heart for an itty bitty! Willy will turn 1 later this month. You can read about him at http://reecesrainbow.org/87019/willy.

          If money is a big concern for you with international adoption, I want you to know that there are several kids with Down Syndrome who have very large grants available to help with their adoption. This is Andruis in Eastern Europe and his grant is $21,559! What an amazing blessing to his future family! Read about him at http://reecesrainbow.org/1124/andruisl.

Love for Other Kids

   Oh my goodness, friends! I can't believe that this is the end of the month of February and my last post featuring the Other Angels from Reeces Rainbow. I have chosen to focus on these kids because they are often passed over and many of them have very low grants.  It is hard for me to know that I was not able to share them all. Please take some time and read through these groups of postings if you can (you should see familiar faces from all month long):
*Other Angel Boys, 0-5
*Other Angel Girls, 0-5
*Other Angel Boys, 6-9
*Other Angel Girls, 6-9
*Other Angel Boys, 10+
*Other Angel Girls, 10+
*Other Angel Siblings

      There are some special needs that are very unique or have very few kids listed with similar needs. Please take a moment to search for: Hypotheriosis, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Arnold-Chiari, Apert Syndrome, Ritscher–Schinzel syndrome, abnormal development of sacral vertebrae.  There are new kids listed often, and a great way to see them is by clicking on the "Newly Listed" link at http://reecesrainbow.org/category/newly-listed.   If you are interested in international adoption of a child or children with special needs, here is a great place to start!  Thanks so much for reading along.

Love for Kids with Hydrocephalus

    As our month of advocacy draws to a close, I want to thank everyone who has read about, shared, or prayed for these kids. Today, I get to introduce you to several kids with Hydrocephalus, or enlarged head size due to additional fluid in the brain. Some of these kids have not received proper medical treatment or shunts, while others have been treated but still need a family.  Search Reeces Rainbow for hydrocephaly or hydrocephalic as well.
      First, meet Mikah who lives in Eastern Europe. Mikah is 12 years old and really needs out! Mikah has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. You can read a more detailed description of Mikah at http://reecesrainbow.org/71864/mikah-11-43.

    Next, this is Amos who lives in a different county in Eastern Europe. Amos needs a family to file commitment paperwork before he turns 16 in December of 2015.  There is a detailed description of Amos at http://reecesrainbow.org/51605/amos.

    Next, this is Bolden who lives in Latin America and is only one years old! Bolden needs medical care to address his hydocephalus. You can read more about Bolden at http://reecesrainbow.org/86277/bolden.

  Finally, meet seven year old Sheila who lives in Asia. Sheila seems to be functioning very well and she is described as, "intelligent, active, extroverted and talkative." You can read more about Sheila at http://reecesrainbow.org/65900/sheila.

Love for Kids with Medical Conditions

     Today, I get to introduce you to several kids with medical conditions such as: allergies, asthma, celiac disease, and cancer. Some of these kids have additional special needs and some of listed for adoption strictly because of these medical needs. Reeces Rainbow also lists kids who are HIV+, but since these are in a different category, I will feature them on another day. Kids with hepatitis would also fit in this category of medical needs, but there were enough to feature them separately on their own day. 
      First, please meet Toby who turns ten this year and currently lives in Eastern Europe.  Toby's only listed special need is his celiac disease.  You can read more about Toby from someone who met him a few months ago at http://reecesrainbow.org/76869/toby-2. 

    Next, meet Wendell who lives in Asia and just turned five years old. Wendell has an eye condition in one eye and is allergic to eggs.  You can read more about Wendell and consider him for your family at http://reecesrainbow.org/77086/wendell. 

   Next, this is Presley who lives in Eastern Europe and will turn 7 next month. Presley has a history of leukemia, but does not have current symptoms.  You can read more about Presley at http://reecesrainbow.org/12532/presley. 

     Finally, meet Haven who will turn 8 next month. Haven has been diagnosed with "celiac disease, CP, toxic Hepatitis, hypotrophy of III stage."  She is currently afraid of strangers and will need a patient family to break through to her. Haven has a grant of $5064.21 to help with her adoption. Read more at http://reecesrainbow.org/12528/haven4205.

Love for Kids with Skin Conditions

   I can hardly believe that this month of blogging for the Other Angels is almost finished! This post features several kiddos with skin conditions who are ready to be chosen for international adoption.  If you want to find more kids with similar special needs, consider searching for: Skin Conditions- hemangioma, nevi, nevus, birth mark, Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), epidermolysis lax disease, Congenital ichthyosis, Congenital bullous ichthyosiform erythroderma, Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.
             First, meet Susana who lives in Eastern Europe and is eight years old. Susana has a skin discoloration (hemangioma) as well as a few other medical conditions.  You can read more about Susana at http://reecesrainbow.org/61112/susana. 

     Next, this is Chance who is now four years old and currently lives in Asia. Chance seems to have normal development in almost all areas.  Please read more about Chance and consider adding him to your family: http://reecesrainbow.org/56057/chance.

 

      Next, meet Brandon who turns four this month and also lives in Asia. Brandon has received excellent care and is ready to join his forever family.  You can read more about him at http://reecesrainbow.org/54419/brandon.

   Finally, meet Peter who lives in Latin America.  Peter is seven years old and has several special needs including a skin/ scalp condition called kerion which is usually caused by a ringworm infection.  You can read more about Peter at http://reecesrainbow.org/20038/peter-2.

Love for Kids with Genetic Syndromes

     Today, I get to introduce you to several kids who are eligible for international adoption who have genetic or hereditary syndromes. Some of these conditions are quite rare. You can search Reeces Rainbow for: Hereditary. Genetic, Tuberous Sclerosis, Williams, Polands Syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, Treacher Collins, Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, and probably others. 
      First, meet Tina who is five years old and lives in Eastern Europe.  Tina has been diagnosed with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome.  There is a detailed description of Tina as well as several pictures on her profile at http://reecesrainbow.org/50778/tina. 

    Next, meet Emily who lives in Asia and will turn 13 years old this month. That means that Emily has exactly a year to be adopted before she ages out. Emily has been diagnosed with Williams Syndrome.  You can read more about Emily at http://reecesrainbow.org/58754/emily.

 
       Next, meet Max who also lives in Asia and is five years old. It is likely that Max has Polands Syndrome, but it may be another genetic condition.  You can read more about Max at http://reecesrainbow.org/38766/max-asia. 

  Next up is Ollie who just turned 3 and lives in Asia.  Ollie has been diagnosed with
tuberous sclerosis which is a complex genetic condition.  You can read more about Ollie at http://reecesrainbow.org/74731/ollie.  (Amelia has the same condition http://reecesrainbow.org/56818/amelia.)

   Finally, meet Jared who lives in Eastern Europe. Jared is seven and has been diagnosed with Stickler Syndrome.  You can read more about Jared at http://reecesrainbow.org/423/jared-26.

Love for Kids with Dwarfism

    Today, I have the honor of introducing you to several kids who are available for adoption and who have been diagnosed with some form of dwarfism.  Some prefer the term "little people" to refer to people with one of more than 200 conditions that cause short stature. Please help share these kids and help them get home soon! Some of the search terms to try on Reeces Rainbow are Dwarfism, Achondroplasia, nanism, and chondrodysplasia.  On a side note, there have been several young children with these diagnoses listed on Reeces Rainbow, but they have been blessed to be matched with a family quickly. If that is your heart, keep checking back often!
      First, meet Grady who lives in Asia and has been diagnosed with chondrodysplasia dwarfism. Grady turns 12 this month and has just 2 years to find a forever family before his birth country considers him to be too old to be adopted. Please read more about Grady at http://reecesrainbow.org/77038/grady-2.

    Next, meet Zeke who lives in Eastern Europe and will turn six next month.  Zeke has been diagnosed with several conditions including dwarfism.  Zeke has the advantage of a detailed description from people who have spent significant time with him and a grant of $2091 to help with his adoption costs. Please read more at http://reecesrainbow.org/38452/zeke-l.

  Next, this is Emery in Eastern Europe. His diagnosis is "nanism of somatogenic genesis" which roughly means short stature caused by something internal. Emery is seven and you can read more about him at http://reecesrainbow.org/70008/emery.

   Next, this is ten year old Sadler who lives in a different country in Eastern Europe. Sadler is described as "good natured" and is available for adoption.  Read more at http://reecesrainbow.org/77914/sadler-1049.

  Finally, meet Yasmine who is also ten and lives in Eastern Europe. She is very motivated to move and interact despite some medical limitations. A family and therapy would help her meet her full potential. Read more at http://reecesrainbow.org/1717/yasmine1803.

Love for Kids with Blood Related Conditions

     Now I have the chance to introduce you to several precious kids who are waiting for a family and have a special need or condition related to their blood. Some of these conditions can be life threatening and need proper medical care right away. To find more kids with similar conditions, try searching reecesrainbow.org for Thalassemia, Hemophilia, blood, or anemia. 
         First, meet Elle who lives in Asia and is now six years old (most likely this picture is older). She has Thalassemia along with a few other conditions and needs regular blood transfusions to stay healthy.  You can read more about Elle at http://reecesrainbow.org/52631/elle.

    Next, this is Phil who lives in Eastern Europe and is diagnosed with hemophilia A. Phil is currently 13 years old and is described as "inquisitive" and "independent." You can read more about Phil on his profile page at http://reecesrainbow.org/71158/phil-435. 

      Next, meet Justin who will turn 10 this year. Justin is not able to attend school due to his blood transfusions for Thalassemia. Justin lives in Asia and is ready to be adopted and come home to his family. Please read more about him at http://reecesrainbow.org/52885/justin-2. 

        Finally, meet Brenden who is two years old and lives in Latin America. Brenden has been diagnosed with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and sickle cell anemia.  You can read more about Brenden at http://reecesrainbow.org/72334/brenden. 

Love for Kids with Language Delays or Who are Nonverbal

     Today, I get to introduce you to several kids who have been diagnosed with language delays, who are nonverbal, or who have other difficulties with speech. Sometimes this is their only diagnosis and often this is paired with other disabilities. Please help get these kids matched with a permanent family!
     First, meet Troy who lives in Eastern Europe and is eleven years old. Troy has been waiting for a family for many years, but he has the advantage of a detailed description from someone who met him personally. Please read more about him at http://reecesrainbow.org/17713/troy317.

     Next, meet Annie who lives in a different country in Eastern Europe.  Annie is nine years old and is described as "lovely and affectionate." Please read more about sweet Annie at http://reecesrainbow.org/14083/annie-40-4 and consider making her part of your family!

     Next, meet 4 year old Anah who lives in Asia. Anah loves to eat and to listen to music and is ready to join a forever family.  Please read more about her at http://reecesrainbow.org/84850/anah.

     Finally, meet Carlton who is 6 and lives in Latin America. He has a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and is currently nonverbal although he is making efforts to communicate. You can read more about Carlton at http://reecesrainbow.org/72351/carlton.

Love for Kids with ADHD

     Today I have the joy of introducing you to several kids who have a diagnosis of ADD (attention deficit disorder), ADHD, and Hyperkinetic syndrome.  Please keep in mind that these diagnoses have been given overseas and mainly to kids who are currently living in institutionalized settings.  It is difficult to predict what changes may occur once these kids are home in loving families.
    First, meet a set of three brothers who live in Eastern Europe. This is Hunter, Forest, and Ridge (internet nicknames) who are 10, 8, and 6.  The oldest brother has a diagnosis of
Hyperkinetic disorders/Hyperkinetic conduct disorder. You can read more about them from someone who has met them at http://reecesrainbow.org/63837/hunterforestridge.

  Next, meet James who is 14 years old and lives in Asia.  James does well in school and enjoys doing puzzles. You can read more about him at http://reecesrainbow.org/46864/james.

   Next, meet sweet Edith! She lives in Eastern Europe and is eight years old. Edith needs a family to help her heal from past trauma and to reach her full potential.  You can read more about her at http://reecesrainbow.org/53352/edith.

    Finally, meet 14 year old Ricky who has been asking for a family of his own.  Ricky lives in Eastern Europe and has about a year and a half to be adopted.  Please read more about him at http://reecesrainbow.org/72620/ricky.

Love for Kids with Emotional Needs

    Today, I have the honor of introducing you to several kids who are eligible for international adoption and have diagnosed emotional needs. All of these kids are listed on an adoption advocacy website reecesrainbow.org. You can find more kids and teens with similar needs by searching for:

Emotional, anger, disturbed emotional development, paranoid schizophrenia

    First up, this is Calder! Calder is eligible for international adoption and needs to have paperwork filed for him before he turns 16 in August of 2015. Calder's profile lists "emotional disorders," so a potential future family need to be prepared for a range of what that may mean. You can give towards Calder's adoption grant at http://reecesrainbow.org/74025/calder. 

     Next, consider Ms. Juliet who is 6 and lives in a different country in Eastern Europe.  While Juliet's list of diagnosed conditions is quite extensive ("She has been diagnosed with early childhood schizophrenia and is reported to demonstrate aggressive behavior and restlessness"), descriptions from people who have met her paint a different people. A potential family should be prepared for many possibilities. Please read more at http://reecesrainbow.org/86681/juliet-524.

  
    Next, this is a sibling pair named Moira and Mack. They live in yet another country in Eastern Europe and 5 and 3 years old. Their profile contains information about their behaviors and the suspicion of past abuse. A future family should be ready to provide a healing fresh start for Moira and Mack. Please read more at http://reecesrainbow.org/85250/moira-mack.

  

    Finally, meet Jamie who is also is Eastern Europe and has been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. He is only 7 years old and needs an experienced forever family to help him reach his full potential. Please read more at http://reecesrainbow.org/85449/jamie-2.