Our story: finding Lina

Ok, so I had this post all typed up in advance, but I need to add something here before we get started....

I need to extend a huge THANK YOU to all of Lina's faithful friends out there- I have been awed and inspired by all the comments left here as well as on my friend Patti's blog announcing us as  Lina's family.  I knew  Lina was well-loved before committing to her, but I am just amazed that in less than 24 hours of this blog being live-  Lina has had over 600 visitors from 10 different countries!!  And she already has $240 in her FSP- thank you so much!!!  It is YOUR thoughts and prayers that will carry us through this journey and they are all GREATLY appreciated. <3

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It truly is amazing to me how we became so lucky as to be the family working to bring  Lina home.  You will find our story to be a bit unique. :)


I was introduced to Reece's Rainbow almost a year ago from an online Down syndrome parenting group. While my initial intent was not to adopt, though Mike and I did discuss adoption and fostering before we had our own children, I had the desire to donate where I could and help advocate for these children to find families. I thought maybe... just maybe... IF I could get Mike on board with me (and that was a big if), we could adopt a child from RR a few years down the road when Evan is in school full-time and my mom is retired.


A little aside.... Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I taught Pre-kindergarten in the public schools for 8 years.  Ever since I started working in the classroom, I have had the desire to adopt an older child.  I will never ever forget little "B".... I was student teaching in a Kindergarten class while still in college, and this little girl was rail thin... I mean if I made a circle with my thumb and index finger- it could fit around her leg.  She had at least 4 older sisters and was always dressed in their old tattered clothes, at least three sizes too big.  All the girls were required to see the school nurse every Monday morning to be checked for head lice since their house was infested.  Oftentimes they were sent home.  Oh how little B wanted to be hugged and cuddled, and I tried my very best to give her some attention, but felt awful having to be careful not to let her hair get too close just in case.... I still think about her often- she should have graduated high school two years ago if my calculations are correct.  Not that she was ever up for adoption, but I so wanted to take her home with me, give her a nice warm bubble bath, and shower her with hugs and affection as well as some good food for her tummy.


So back to our story....

The majority of children born with disabilities into Eastern Europe are given up at the hospital and sent to impoverished orphanages. Their lives aren't valued and there is no funding to support them.  It's not uncommon for orphanages to run out of diapers or soap- my last contribution was toward a fundraiser working to supply an orphanage with cloth diapers and accessories since they were washing and reusing disposable diapers.  I just can't even imagine.  Orphanages are often short staffed as well, and it's not uncommon for children to be placed in "laying rooms" where they simply lay in a crib all day and all night.  I'm talking for YEARS.  Thankfully, from the photos we have seen, it appears  Lina  has been cared for appropriately in her orphanage.


Between the ages of 4 and 6, children with disabilities are usually transferred from the baby house to an adult mental institution. About 80% of them die within one year.   I've been haunted by the stories, videos, and photographs, and then I look at our precious Evan. I can't imagine him being taken from me and forced to suffer in these conditions. And then I look at  Lina. She certainly doesn't deserve this fate either.

I first found her photo on Reece's Rainbow almost a year ago, and seeing how beautiful she is as well as being listed as “high functioning” with no health issues posted, I knew there would be many families interested in bringing her home. Many months passed, and then this past April I saw my friend, Patti, post  Lina's picture on her Facebook wall, asking, “Are you her mommy?”. I had to inquire. 

Before I contacted Reece's Rainbow, I showed her photo to Mike and said with big puppy dog eyes, "I want her."  I figured he would just think I was joking, and I honestly didn't expect him to actually say yes, so in a way I sort of was. Sort of.  Instead, he hestiated for just a second, and said, "Go ahead..."  Really???  I certainly had no intentions of expressing any interest without his full support as of course this is a huge endeavor.  He said, "Well we can ask...."  


I contacted Reece's Rainbow and was told there were already a few families who had inquired about  Lina, so I was relieved she should have a family. But another month passed, and she still hadn't been moved to the “My family found me” section of the website. May 27^th, I noticed there were suddenly new requirements listed on her page. Requirements I just knew the other families who had shown interest wouldn't be able to meet. Requirements that we DID meet.

Now this time, I asked him again, much more seriously. There was no hesitation from him this time at all. He was on board 100%. I asked him over and over again- are you sure??  His response was, "You know we can't save them all..." knowing that if we claimed one I would surely fall for more and want to bring them all home with me.... but realistically I know we can only adopt one, and I'm ok with that.  


I sent another e-mail to Reece's Rainbow inquiring yet again about  Lina.  I received a prompt response:

Oh, Amy wow!! Amazing timing! We just found out two days ago that all the families who submitted preliminary applications were rejected by the judge in her region and these new strict requirements were put in place.  I intended to go through my emails this weekend and contact all the families who inquired about her whom I told she had a family to see if there was any slim chance any of them would meet those requirements.  To be honest, we haven't been optimistic that there would be a qualified family for her. Wow! 

What are these strict requirements which disqualified many others?

*must live in Maryland (since this is where the adoption agency is located- no judge has ever required this before)

*must already have a child with Down syndrome

*must make a certain amount of money

*must not have more than 4 children at home already

Once I saw these requirements, the first two in particular, I just knew we had to do this. God was calling to me, and this child was OURS.  Mike has been extremely supportive and is just as excited about all this as I am. The kids were through the roof when we told them they were getting a little sister!! Kaylin is absolutely THRILLED to be getting the little sister she's always wanted, and Justin keeps saying he is going to give one of his two blankeys to his little sister. <3  Love it!!  


We hope you all will be supportive of us as well. We certainly are not trying to be saints- we have fallen in love with this precious little girl and know she deserves the love of a family. She deserves bedtime stories at night as well as being tucked in with a full belly. She deserves showers of affection.  She deserves an education and opportunity. She deserves a life. Yes, there will be challenges. Yes, they will be worth it. SHE is worth it.