The care in a majority of these orphanages is very poor. Later, when the children reach the age of 4 or 5 years old, instead of celebrating a birthday, they receive what for many is a death sentence; transfer to a mental institution where the care is even worse. Children will spend their entire lives there, often tied to their cribs, receiving a single diaper change per day (if they're lucky!). Many children do not survive their first year in these institutions, succumbing to the effects of malnutrition, dehydration, and hypothermia.
Reece's Rainbow International Adoption program was started as a first-level attempt to save many of these children, and, to the surprise of their country's government officials, many have been adopted out of the baby homes! However, in most countries, once children are transferred to an institution they are no longer available for adoption.
There has recently been a growing number of parents who have gone against what is the norm in their country, and instead of sending their newborn to an orphanage, have instead brought their child home!
Once home with their babies, parents receive no government help or assistance in caring for their child. All therapies and education must be paid for out of their own very small pockets. While in their hearts they know their children are very capable, the medical and educational professionals, the very people who are supposed to teach the parents, are telling them their children will never learn. They're being told they will never talk, read, and certainly never live independently. They will be babies forever. Because of these attitudes, parents are not given the information or tools to help their children reach their full potential.
And so, Connecting the Rainbow was born! Our goal is to provide information, support and resources for families caring for children with Down syndrome living in countries around the world where, until now, there has been none. By putting together packets of information and therapy related tools, and distributing them to parents in the region, we can give hope and encouragement to these families who are paving the way for others to join them in the fight to give their children a place in society.
Part of providing that support is helping educate medical and educational professionals about the unlimited potential of people who have Down syndrome, along with showing them them the appropriate educational and medical interventions to get them there. Connecting the Rainbow will be putting together mission trips to bring medical and educational professionals, along with physical and occupational therapists into these regions to do just that.
Although our current focus is on Bulgaria, we will soon be partnering with groups in Kiev, Ukraine, along with groups in Tver and Moscow, Russia, with partnerships in other countries in the works!
Please, join us on our journey to Connect the Rainbow!
