Rare Gems

rare¹

rer/

adjective

1. (of an event, situation, or condition) not occurring very often.

   synonyms:

   infrequent, scarce, sparse, few and far between,  like gold dust

   • (of a thing) not found in large numbers and consequently of interest or value.

     synonyms:

     unusual, uncommon, unfamiliar, atypical, singular

Today is National Rare Disease Day! 

When the people who designated this day named it, I think they probably meant rare in the first sense - not occurring often. But I'd love it if we could think of the children represented by this label and remember that there is another definition of the word rare: 

rare¹

rer/

adjective

1. • unusually good or remarkable.

     synonyms:

     exceptional, outstanding, unparalleled, peerless, matchless, unique, unrivaled, inimitable, beyond compare, without equal, second to none, unsurpassed;

I've not met these sweet, precious children (each of whom was born with a rare syndrome or other unusual quality), but I know that they are all remarkable.  

They are fearfully and wonderfully made - rare 'diseases' and all. 

These beautiful ones are, indeed, rare! Rare gems of great worth. 

And today, I'd like to introduce you to a few of those gems: 

There's Zachary, 

Leena, 

Harding, 

Garrett, 

Ollie, 

Emerson,

Nadine, 

Landon, 

Esme, 

Amelia, 

Jared,

Steven,

Jenni, 

Elle,

 

Aven,

Alisha,

Steven,

Maverick,

Callie,

Ollie & Ozzie

Each of these children was born with what society labels as a rare "disease". However, I'm not going to add the names of those conditions here, because I want you to see these faces as the children that they are, not as a syndrome. You can get more information on each of them if you click on their name, but first, remember that these are real kids with favorite colors, favorite foods and a wish for a family. 

If you feel that any of these rare gems might be the missing face in your family picture, email us at: theworldwillchangeblog@gmail.com 

I would be more than happy to connect you with people who have experience with these conditions, and who can help you with the first steps of the journey to your child!

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Hearts

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Today is the day to celebrate love. Hearts are everywhere - 

Pink, 

Red, 

Lace, 

Floral, 

Chocolate - 

Pretty much every possible color, shape or size that you could imagine!  

Some are simple....

And some.... 

Are not. 

But you don't often see a heart like this:

On Valentine's Day. 

Or, for that matter, hearts like this: 

Well, today we're going to change that. February also happens to be Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month, and I'd like to introduce you to some kiddos who happen to have been born with "broken hearts". 

Some of these children can't have their photos posted, but click on their names anyway - it might just be your son or daughter that's hiding behind that silhouette! 

Look past their diagnosis and see the child that is there, waiting - is one of them waiting for you? 

Frankie Lee

Oh, his eyes!!!

Kaden

He looks so serious! How I would love to see him smiling with his family! 

Kaley

Sweet girl, you have the most adorable smile! 

Remmie

He's only three years old - where is his family?! 

UPDATE: A wonderful advocate who has met Remmie was able to send me pictures of this sweetheart - and let me tell you, he is DARLING! Interested families please email me - I am allowed to share pictures personally but not publicly. 

Kenny

Look at that face!! 

Ryland

Handsome boy! He's waited almost 11 years for his family - could you be them? 

April

Oh, how I wish that I could see your face, precious girl. I pray that your family will see YOU behind that silhouette!

Billy

You certainly have a sparkle in your eye, Billy - I can only imagine how you'll blossom once you come home! 

Montgomery

Oh, Montgomery. You need a very special family, buddy. You need a family who will love you fiercely for the time that they have with you, and fight to help you have a chance at LIFE! I'm praying that your family will see you past the blue lips and the clubbed fingers and the scary, heart wrenching diagnosis. They need to see you soon! 

Vinn

There isn't much written about this precious one, but I know that there is a real, live little boy behind that snippet of sterile information who is waiting for his family to come and get him!

Johann

I just want to scoop him up and cuddle him!! 

UPDATE: Johann has a family! 

Max

There's a little bit of a smile in his picture, but I'd sure love to see the rest of his grin! 

Henry

Henry, you look like a handful - in all of the best ways!! An advocate who met him describes him as "so full of life and just adorable!"

Gwen

Sweet baby girl looks like she's wondering about something - maybe she wants to know why her Mama isn't there yet? 

UPDATE: Gwen has a family coming! You can help them on their journey here: http://reecesrainbow.org/114304/sponsormyatt

All of these sweethearts were born with CHDs. But their biggest need? A family to love them and hold them tight through everything to come. 

Did you see your son or daughter here? If you did, and you'd like more information about them or how to bring them home, please email me at theworldwillchangeblog@gmail.com! 

I know multiple families who have adopted kiddos with CHD's ranging from very mild to quite "severe". I would be more than happy to put any interested families in touch with the right people to learn more! 

Happy Valentine's Day! 

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Miss Kassi's New Footwear!

You all know that we've been trying to find the best way to get Kassi's beautiful feet the care that they need so very badly, but have missed out on for 14 years.

I love those precious feet!

The current plan had been for some of us to travel to Missouri this summer, and see the #1 clubfoot specialist worldwide.  We were hoping and praying to find another option, though, if at all possible.

In the meantime, Mama had been looking to see if there was any other way that we could work things. And then.....

She came across Dr. Ferris, who does clubfoot casting every Wednesday in Pensacola - exactly halfway between New Orleans and Tallahassee! He also trained under Dr. Ponsetti, who created the type of casting that we are hoping will work for Kassi! So, we called the office hoping to get a consult appointment set up in the next few months. 

"Well, how about 11:00 this Wednesday?" asked the receptionist. 

As it happened, we were making a very short trip to Tally this week anyway, so it was perfect! 

That brings us to Wednesday. 

We met with Dr. Ferris, and discussed options. The bottom line was that casting couldn't hurt, and so we decided to try and get as much movement as we could as un-invasively as we could.

Mama asked if we should just schedule an appointment for the next casts....and Dr. Ferris suggested that we just go ahead and put them on that day!

So that's what we did!

We would so appreciate your prayers for her, friends - this is not easy, and it's not comfortable, but she wants to walk SO badly! If you would, please pray that the bones in her precious feet are still able to move enough to avoid invasive surgery.

Miss Kassi's "yellow legs" aren't her favorite thing (understandably so!), but, as she says, if she can walk at the end of all this it will be worth it!!!

We're so excited to see this unfold!

Dawn | Reece's Rainbow

It was right around this time last year that we learned that a beautiful, sweet girl in China was about to lose her chance at a family. 

But, as you all know, she didn't! She is beloved, free and an absolute JOY to everyone she meets! 

Today, I'd like to introduce you to another girl who's in a situation a lot like our Kassi was last year. 

This is Dawn. 

Dawn is 15 years old and she currently lives in an orphanage in Eastern Europe. 

In her country, children have until their 16th birthday to have their families find them - Dawn has only a couple of weeks left! However, a family will only need to have submitted a certain form before her birthday, rather than needing to have her home.   I am not personally familiar with the process for this country, but please email me at theworldwillchangeblog@gmail.com if you believe that you might be Dawn's family! I can easily connect you with so many people who would give you all of the information that you would need to make her a part of your family. 

Dawn is a beautiful girl whose biggest challenge is the fact that she has no family. She also happens to have been born with Down syndrome and a few other special needs - congenital cardiac malformation – atrium septum defect, left-right shunt – surgically corrected, and strabismus. These needs might sound scary, but with medical care that is available in the US, her future has an entirely different look! 

Look at her SMILE!!! 

Dawn is a precious child who needs and deserves a family, and I believe that she will be such a blessing to her family! However, a family does need to be prepared for the fact that she is going to have different challenges caused by her life up to her adoption. Sweet Dawn needs a family who is prepared and understands the fact that being institutionalized for 15 years has had consequences for her, and a family that can provide the care, attention and most of all LOVE that she needs to thrive. 

There are lots of brand new pictures and video of this gorgeous girlie, as well as more information! Please read what is on her Reece's Rainbow page and email me if you think that you might be her family. 

And most of all, please pray that her family will find her!