Monday, January 16, 2012

Gabe 7 Months Home

June 2011 -7 months ago-
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January 2012
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June 2011
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January 2012
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June 2011
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January 2012
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June 2011
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January 2012
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When we first met our Gabe, as you can see HERE, he was frail, scared, could hardly sit up, only ate from a bottle, rejected touch.

Today, just 7 months later, Gabe is over 10 pounds heavier, crawls, climbs, he's happy, laughing, and desires nothing more than to be held.

He signs "eat" and is starting to eat pureed food from a spoon.

Next week he is getting fitted for braces for his legs.
I know he will be walking in no time!

We have seen many specialist since bringing Gabe home. On his medical records from Ukraine it stated that he had a heart condition that would most likely need surgery.
What we found out is that the hole in his heart has healed up on its own and there is no surgery needed!!
After all the many doctor visits and blood test we basically found out that Gabe is 100% healthy!

Now of course I am very grateful for that.

But it does make me angry in some ways.

Angry because the Gabe that we adopted 7 months ago was that way solely due to neglect.
Yes he does have down syndrome, but that alone would not cause a child to be in the condition he was in.

Neglect.

Neglect caused this 6 year old perfect child to weigh only 20 pounds.
Neglect caused him to not have a clue how to hold or play with a toy.
Neglect caused his eyes to be weak because after only having white walls to look at the muscles were not able to strengthen and develop.
Neglect caused his teeth to completely rot away leaving his mouth to bleed every time we brush his teeth.

In the book, The Connected Child, it states that "isolation is more damaging to an infant than early mistreatment."

So Gabe would have been better off being physically abused!

It goes on to say,
"An infant who is rarely touched or spoken to during the first weeks and months of life can suffer critical mental and behavioral impairments, even death.
That is why the orphanage system - in which children are left lying in row after row of cribs unattended - has been phased out in the United States in favor of foster homes, which provide a child with social and sensory nurturing he or she desperately needs."

NO CHILD DESERVES TO BE NEGLECTED

I've said it before and I will continue to say it.

We are not called to care for the orphans. We are commanded to care for them.

Go ahead and look in the Bible for yourself, you'll see.

Does this mean everyone should adopt a child? No.

But do something.

Donate. Pray. Advocate.

Something

If you are wondering where to start, you can go to Reece's Rainbow and look at all the beautiful children waiting. Donate to a child of your choice or go to the "Sponsor a Family" page and choose a family to help bring home their child.

IN DREAMS
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AND IN LOVE
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THERE ARE NO IMPOSSIBILITIES
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8 comments:

Karen January 16, 2012 at 9:32 PM  

LOVE this post!!! What a blessing Gabe is! Everytime our boy starts rocking in the middle of the night, I am reminded of his former isolation and neglect and my heart aches bc I know there are so many still in those situations literally rotting away! Thank you for this post!!

Julia January 17, 2012 at 4:20 AM  

Seriously makes me cry to see the pictures.... Tears of joy for my "Gavin"!! Thank you for jumping off the cliff!

Mandy January 17, 2012 at 5:31 AM  

Oh, Lindy. I'm also weeping tears of JOY for Gabe this morning. As we are only months away from bringing home our own 20 pound, 6 year old. Gabe gives me hope for our son. Thank you for leading the way and walking this path ahead of us. For sharing so openly, so we can be encouraged. Blessings!

Pelaez Family January 17, 2012 at 7:26 AM  

Great post! Gabe looks amazing!
Deborah

one_plustwins January 17, 2012 at 1:12 PM  

Lindy!!!! I so love seeing your pictures and seeing the boys blossom! I fully understand the anger...Shawn and I have had many talks about our Jadon's size at the age of 3. Knowing there is no good reason for their stunted growth, eyes that don't know how to work and coming to terms with the fact that play for them is foreign; it definitely is upsetting.

I am amazed at the change in Jadon in just 3 months and seeing Gabe...makes my heart smile.

Jae January 17, 2012 at 5:46 PM  

I've been waiting and waiting for this post! This exact post! Of course you didn't know that!

I cried..but happy tears, because look at this miracle! He is such a beautiful boy and it is maddening that the first 6 years of his life no one saw that. He didn't deserve that! None of these waiting children, ANYWHERE in the world deserve that. There are no words for how wrong it is. How I still cant wrap my mind around why it and how it's okay for this to happen to these children.


Anyhow..
Your pictures are always beautiful. I love how you capture your family.And Gabe looks absolutely handsome in those glasses!

Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to see handsome Levi!

Anonymous January 22, 2012 at 8:34 PM  

Lindy, what a wonderful update! Thank you so much for sharing! He looks AMAZING!

Anonymous January 26, 2012 at 7:01 AM  

Thanks for sharing this beautiful post. How was Your Christmas? Gabe is looking fantastic. You did miracles with Him!

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