A Giveaway for World Down Syndrome Day!

For just over a year after Ella was born I contemplated my role as an advocate. I knew that I needed to be one but I wasn’t really sure why. It is a logical response considering I have never felt that the lives of individuals with Down Syndrome were dispensable. I recognized then, as I do now, that they are an integral part of society and every bit as precious in the sight of God. After all, who of us is perfect? Who of us has no health issues to speak of and will live definitively to a ripe old age? So naturally, the idea that I would have to fight to convince others that these lives are valuable was inconceivable. But now, I have seen. I have read the articles encouraging the “eradication” of this “disease”. I have heard stories of perfectly “moral” and “good” people who terminated the life of their precious unborn child. I have seen the neglect, the abuse and the complacency that is the reality for so many of these children.

I can’t make this stuff up. And its not just in third world countries, its not just one or two institutions, its not just a few children who are suffering. There are hundreds. My last post about Carrington was case in point. A beautiful girl, who found her forever family. And it was only after this family had paid her ransom that they found out she was on death’s door.

We, in North America have so much. We have access to the best health care, we have programs to help these kids fulfill their potential and be active participants in their community, we have big houses, cars to get us there and a growing sense of acceptance and inclusion.

Do you get it? Do you see? God will not see His children forgotten. These angels are waiting…waiting every moment….every day for their forever family. Take a minute. Think about what little Bennett is doing right now….waiting. Nothing else. He has nothing. Nothing.

There are many for whom it is just not the time. And that is okay. We wait patiently for the day when God says, “Okay, now. Now you can pursue your angel – your miracle child.” And until then, we pray. Please pray for these children.

The other thing we can do is give. Because there are families out there to whom God has said, “NOW!” The only thing in their way is money. For a Canadian to adopt from Eastern Europe it is $50,000. This is where Reece’s Rainbow comes in. They are an adoption ministry which provides support and grants to families adopting Reece’s Rainbow angels. But it doesn’t stop there. Connecting the Rainbow takes their team of volunteer professionals and goes to the countries of origin to educate parents on issues that often accompany Down Syndrome.

That being said, the bigger the grant, the better chance a child has of being adopted. So, lets team up and help sweet little Bennett. He’s not far off from Carrington and he is one of RR’s most AT RISK angels. Why you ask? Because Bennett will be 5 in the fall and his move to an institution is imminent. Institutions differ greatly from baby houses where Bennett is most likely living right now. Many institutions do not allow adoptions out. They seal the fate of these special children and pour nothing into their development, let alone their health. They are tied to beds, left in soggy diapers, are malnourished, neglected and wasting away. Health concerns go unnoticed and untreated. Their little bodies literally begin to shut down.

So I am asking you…I am begging you to give….and thanks to some very awesome friends I am providing some incentive.

Grand Prize: a $100 itunes gift card.

Prize #2

A custom bag by Three Acorns

Prize #3

An adorable felt crown by Chickadee Swing

Prize # 4

A custom album by Jakob and Ella Designs

Prize #5 and #6

One of two zipper pouches by Three Acorns.

You have 3 ways to win….

1. Click on Bennett’s button on the top right hand side to donate. Donate even just $5 and leave a comment to let me know.

2. Share this on facebook and leave another comment for your second entry

3. Blog about our little angel and leave yet another comment for one more entry.

** A donation must be made before you can earn a entry for sharing on facebook or your blog.

So you donate, that’s one entry…donate and share on facebook, that’s two entries. Donate and blog that’s two entries. Donate, share and blog- THREE ENTRIES!

The contest will close on Friday, March 25th at 9:00pm

FIVE BUCKS. That’s all I’m asking. Will you be a part of rocking Bennett’s world?

A very Happy World Down Syndrome Day- Let’s celebrate being!

**POST-EDIT: Cash or cheque can be given to me in person and I will send it in like I did at Christmas or it can be mailed to
Reece’s Rainbow
PO Box 4024
Gaithersburg, MD 20885