Firstly I want to say thank you to every single person who has made this journey easier by pouring out your love and support. And oddly I want to also thank those who have selfishly made it difficult on our family. If I have learned one thing while saving our children it is that there are two kinds of people. And we have to deal with both. But because of the LOVE we have for our kids both types of encounters have made us stronger.
Well guess what! They are all doing great. Don't get me wrong they are damaged, neglected children but they are on their way to knowing what it means to be loved and cared for. Here is an update on the two older boys. I will update on the younger two soon.
Daniel (Denzel on RR)
Daniel my then almost 16 year old came to America weighing only 22lbs.. He now weighs 32lbs. That is almost 50% body weight gain. He needed to be in the hospital for weeks and undergo many blood transfusions. He no longer has a nose tube but instead a G-tube in his belly. He has learned to communicate with me through sounds. During the first couple weeks home we discovered that he is blind.(at least completely in one eye, more test to follow) We discovered that he had been living off of his blood. His hemoglobin count was so low they said he shouldn't be alive. His body was so deformed, weak, and stuck. He couldn't move, he couldn't see, and he was hungry and neglected. The doctors say they have only read about these situations, they were all so happy to be a part of his journey and he was very well cared for while in the hospital. He has been home a month and he has done so well since being home. He is what I call my Hot Mess! He keeps me on my toes, and not because he is difficult but because he is Loved. Sometimes he will start screaming just to hear me run into his room. The moment I arrive by his side he will giggle at me, the giggle turns into a cackle, and then an outright deep laugh. Honestly I think he can't believe someone actually comes to his calls. "I will always come". He celebrated his first birthday in the hospital and although it isn't where we would have liked to celebrate it, it felt so amazing knowing he was being celebrated. He represents so much about the meaning of life to me. He is hope, love, salvation, and redemption. He is a beautifully damaged boy who is no longer trapped in hell, and that my friends gives me all the reason to want to celebrate him everyday.
Here is a few photos to represent his recovery and healing.
Finding Love No more Tube! Mom gave him cake
Sweet sixteen and talk of home Home!
Dryden (Phoenix on RR)
This sweet boy was in the same orphanage as Daniel and he not only suffered emotional but also physical abuse and starvation. When we picked him up from the orphanage he had fresh marks down both his legs, and scars from the past, and at least 100 bruises. His body was so small yet he was the biggest child I would adopt weighing only 28lbs at 14 years old. Sadly his neglect shines through in every moment of his days so far. Physically I was told this boy can not bend, he must always lie on his stomach, he can not eat from a spoon, and he is severely mentally retarded and absent minded.
I can tell you this, he is a clever boy. He watches everything and notices even the tiniest bit of change. He hates touch, and finds comfort in self harming.(he is getting better everyday) It has been tough but beautifully tough because he IS improving. I stayed in the hospital with Daniel while my husband stayed home with the other 6 kids. I remember the day I came home to him feeding Dryden pureed food from a SPOON as he was SITTING UP in his papa's(dad) lap. My eyes swelled so big. He was doing things we were told he couldn't. Doing things he was neglected the right of. He was being given the chance for the first time in his life to do something all of us take for granted. He was sitting up and eating from a spoon. FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 14 years old. He is having attachment troubles but I truly feel like he knows he is safe, and he feels the changes he is making in his life, and ours. I truly believe that this boy who was left in a crib on his tummy, abused, starved, and neglected for 14 years KNOWS he is loved. He knows he is improving. And I very much so believe that he will stand, he will walk with support. He will thrive! We don't look for excuses on why he can't but set goals and know he can. He means so much to all of us. All of the other children adore him. They want to feed him, pile him high with toys, and they take turns bringing him in their rooms so he can watch them play. He started noticing his hands a few weeks ago, he is now grabbing at toys and feeling for sensory. It is amazing that he can still smile after what he has been through But it is so sad to watch all the pain and know where he has come from.
I wish that no child had to go through what mine did but that wish will not come true until more people step forward and adopt. You can't save them by doing nothing. I know not everyone can adopt but everyone can help and everyone needs to do something. Just because you don't see it happening doesn't mean it isn't. It is and it is so sad. Let me introduce you all to Jayce he is wasting away in an institution just like my boys were. He needs a mama and papa to come rescue him NOW. He needs someone to start the process to come for him or he will age out next summer. He like my boys is a tiny teenager. He just needs a chance. Are you his mama? Can you help find his mama if not? Please help me help Jayce. Look at him, he is a beautiful boy who like my boys just needs someone to love him, care for him, and give a home. I have a before and after picture for you all. Jayce has been institutionalized and left in a crib to die. He is almost 15 years old there is not much time.
smiling and beautiful left in a crib to die.(pic 2017)
He has a 15,000 grant! Are you his mama? Click HERE
