Leo smiles

We are back in Nanning now after visiting the orphanage yesterday. The baby room of this orphanage is now closed, and the children are all living in a "group home" environment...meaning that a set of foster parents care for about 5 kids. They live in a small living quarter with several bedrooms, living space, and kitchen. There is a large courtyard in the middle of all of the small living quarters.
It was a day filled with so many emotions. Two babies were so, so skinny that their skin just hung on their limp bodies. One baby had HIV. Two kids were strapped down to seats. Yet, the director did not hide anything from us and begged for help. Evaluations were done on their most challenging children. We gave ideas for things to focus on with these children. We shared that every child has potential, something that they were unaware of. There are so many needs for this orphanage, which we hope to be able to help on a longer term basis. We'd love to be able to hire someone to go in to stimulate the children and oversee some therapy ideas. We'd like to purchase some developmentally stimulating toys. They need a non-breakable mirror in the room they hope to use for therapy. They need more formula and high calorie duocal powder. We'll need more partnership to help this orphanage whose director is deeply committed to trying to do better.

Today we spent the day visiting with 4 of 10 special needs orphans from a nearby orphanage who are living in foster care. The 4 kids live with a trio of sisters who provide the care. They are very special ladies who watched intently as we worked with our dear friend Helen to provide some therapy ideas. They easily jumped in to try what we modeled and suggested. One of my favorite memories was watching the foster mothers put a child into a tumbleform feeder seat and hoist her onto her back (seat and all), which is a traditional way the Chinese carry children. She seemed so excited about this. We helped a little one born without eyes to do some standing and slowly but surely take some steps to her right along the wall while holding onto a toy. We gave supplies, shared ideas, laughed, and played.
Another favorite memory from today is of a little boy nicknamed "Leo". This little guy resists all movement and positioning. He spends much of the time in tears. He is never quite comfortable. Helen and the foster mother were told by an "expert" MD that there is no hope for him. For him, we tried a beanbag chair which made its way last minute as we left home. As we sat him in it, he paused. We tried a surgical scrub brush to gently massage his foot and arms. He relaxed. We put a sensory toy which has metal beads and plays music when touched. He slowly reached both arms towards it, and grasped it with two of his right fingers. We all held our breath. Helen said how he has NEVER reached towards anything. And then, he smiled. Not just once, but several times. We cried. Little Leo shows us that ALL children have potential. There is hope for ALL children. I can't wait to get to Hong Kong to post some photos. This little one will always remind me of Knowing Hope and what our purpose is...