Hope is...

Hope is...knowing that each child has the potential to connect to another to feel and give love.




Hope is....persisting against all odds to help the world have one less orphan.




Hope is....knowing that each child has worth, despite his disability.





And Hope is....knowing that the world has been forever changed by the presence of these three special little boys, who are eternally HOME with Him.

The heart of a 9 year old

For my big girl, this trip was her 6th return trip to China to work alongside with me in orphanages. Her first was when she was just 3 years old. She is now almost 10. Going to China to volunteer in orphanages has just been what we do. It hasn't been if we would go but when. Often times I wondered how these experiences would impact her. I prayed the experiences would someohow teach her about hope. I thought it would be at a much later age. However, this trip, I learned just how much she has understood and learned at the tender age of 9. She has been watching. Studying me as I work with young children. And figuring out how she will do things. Figuring out just how much she can do. And how much she will receive in doing so.





I learned my big girl has a huge heart for children with Down Syndrome. She was drawn to the precious children who had these diagnoses throughout the trip. She would hold them, touch them, play with them, and love them. Not that she avoids other orphans with other diagnoses. She would hold them and play with them too. But there is something special about the children who have this diagnosis for her. I can see it in her diligent attention to them as she lovingly corrects a body position or touches a head. I can see it in her eyes.



When we are working at orphanages, it is often chaotic. OK, always chaotic. The orphanage staff will bring specific children to me so that we can brainstorm ideas for that particular child. The room is filled with children of all ages. I am teaching, hearing translations, assessing. I am often not aware of what my girls are doing unless they specifically come over to me. My friends' who travel with me are the ones keeping an eye on them. The time flies.





And so, when I see the gift of my big girl loving on some very special orphans it makes me smile and cry at the same time. In her short life she has seen more than most adults will ever see. She is growing. She is changing. She understands that all people have worth. She is becoming who she was made to be. What a gift to be able to witness it.

Perspectives

Last month I learned of a woman whose character can be termed as heroic. She gave birth to twins 10 months ago. One began developing typically, the other did not. Extended family pressured the mother to "abandon" her daughter, but she refused. Instead, she chose to stand against society where a child with special needs is not understood. She chose to see the little child inside the body which works differently than most others.
When 6 pieces of our luggage did not make it from NYC to Shanghai I was disappointed. I quickly thought of all of the donations collected and the things I had hoped to use and give to this mother as I taught her ways to help her child.
As we arrived in Nanning, I learned that the mother and baby had remained in the city rather than travel the over 8 hours to their home village for a holiday festival. Again, I thought of the missing items in those 6 bags. But, as we wearily checked into our hotel room at 2:30am, the three bags which did make it with us were placed inside. As I opened each bag, I realized that almost all of the things I would use with this small baby were here! The neosure formula, the infant seat, the infant toys, the heavy duty sling to help her mother carry her, a bumbo seat and a small boppy pillow were all with us!! The fact that all of the things are here when all of the other things are not is nothing short of miraculous. And so, as I wear the same clothes for a second day in a row feeling as if I am a character in the movie "groundhog day" I will remember the heroic mother. And I will remember to see as she sees things...what I have rather than what I don't have....

And we're off!!

Heading to China always brings the same feelings...lots of excitement the night before departure leading to a lack of sleep. Giddiness as we pull unto the airport. Exhaustion as we wait in long lines at ticket counters and security.
Our flight route brings us through Shanghai this year. We will then go directly to the capital city where we have one day of rest (after arriving at 12:40am local time) before the work starts. I don't mind how hard the bed is after 30 hours of travel. It will be nice to recline!
And so we are off. To begin our next journey to our beloved China. Thirty hours of travel is well worth it!

1 week!!

In one week, we will be headed back to our beloved China.
In one week, we will be preparing to see our dear friends with Grace and Hope for Children who are the true heroes in the lives of orphaned children.
In one week, we will need to have all of the bags packed and ready to go with donations which will forever change the lives of the children who will receive them.
In one week, we will set out on a grueling itinerary to do the work He has called us to do.
In one week, our lives will be forever changed by some very special orphans who are placed purposefully in our paths to teach about hope.

Cindy

Preparations...

Preparations are underway for this summer's trip for Knowing Hope and the excitement is building! We've been asked to go to places we have never been before, as well as to return to the familiar places that we love. Dr Bruce Perry recently spoke at the
22nd annual International Trauma Conference, giving lots of cutting edge thoughts to present to orphanage staff and caregivers. I feel fortunate to have had the chance to hear him speak and participate in something which puts the needs of traumatized children first. I am working on powerpoint presentations which will be translated into Chinese to use when educating the staff in 2 different province wide trainings. It is exciting to think about staff from orphanages around 2 different provinces learning about how to best help the children in their care.
Collection of items has started: bumbo seats, beanbag seats, therapy materials...things that foster mothers and orphanage caregivers are just desperate to have and to use for their kids. Any donations of these items are so greatly appreciated and will be put to good use.
Thank you for helping us to bring hope to the children of Guangxi and Hubei!

Official invitations!!

Five months from today, we will arrive in our beloved China again. We will return to work in several of the orphanages in Guangxi where we have previously helped out in the past few years. The thought of seeing those precious children again make my heart race with excitement! Another orphanage, one we haven't been to before (but sent a wheelchair to) has sent the official welcome invitation to come and help!! We will be given the gift of having our lives touched by even more very special children. I cannot think of anything better for our summer :)

March 11, 2011

Dear Cindy,

Hello! Wish all the best wishes for you.

My name is Li Bing(李冰)，and I am the Vice-president of the XXXXX SWI, I am responsible for the welfare of children.

Thank you for your letter of February 28. I was so happy that you like the photos we sent to you. Thank you for told me the news that you will come to Guangxi in August, I sincerely invite you and I am looking forward to your coming here. We did not have any child therapists yet, if you can come, I believe that will be the biggest help to us.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely yours,

Li Bing

The sunny side of life...

This letter came through last night, which, although addressed to me, is really to all of the supporters of Knowing Hope. NONE of this would have been possible without the kindness and love of people from around the world who make this possible.


Dear Cindy the Physical Therapist,

Greetings! At the verge of Spring's arrival and the renewal of all elements in nature, and at the eve of the Spring Festival, we first wholeheartedly wish you a happy new year, good health, blessings, harmony and happiness in the family.

We have received the wheelchair sent by Mr. X on behalf of you. We appreciate the wonderful gift that you sent to our children. The children are very excited.
In looking back at 2010, it was a year of love and glory from you; it was also a year that XXXXX CWI received love and hope. Your care and love deeply warmed up the hearts of the neediest children. The children with special needs now can see the sunny side of life. They now know that someone thinks about them and cares about them. They really have felt that there is kindness and warmth in people. This gave them the dream to hope for happiness just like non-disabled child do. We would love to continue receiving love and care from you so that the children might have a better future.... We thank you for your help.

Spring buds are vying to blossom and families are happily waiting for the new year. Let's open our arms for the dawn of the new spring, and write a better chapter for child social welfare. Finally, we wish you peace and serenity!

Simple things

Sometimes life just gets too complicated, and the smaller, simpler things are overlooked. Going to work in China reminds me of how simple things can be so important. A simple smile. A simple touch of another's hand. A simple chair.



Many of the older special needs children in the orphanages have serious special needs. Their bodies do not cooperate when they desire to do something. They can spend most of their days just laying on the floor. Or, occasionally, if someone helps, they can sit in an adult sized wheelchair.




And then there are simple acts of kindness. People giving of their time and money to see that these children who will live their entire lives in an orphanage can sit by themselves. To see the beauty of the world.







In a simple chair that fits them.



Resulting in a simple smile that touches hearts around the world.

The first chair for children

Last August, at one of the orphanages we worked at, we met a little boy named Hao. He was born healthy, and suddenly developed high fevers which caused damage to his brain resulting in cerebral palsy. Inside of his body, which is so hard for him to control, there is a bright spirit, a little boy who understands what is said to him and who is trying desperately to show what he understands by blinking his eyes.

Hao's body has become bigger, and he was no longer able to see the beauty of his world sitting up unless leaning against a caregiver....until this week!




Now Hao can see his world, and be a part of his world, thanks to the generosity of givers from around the world who helped make this first chair possible!!
On behalf of a little boy whose life has been made easier by a simple chair, thank you!!!!!

Bumbos for Babies

Last August's trip included bringing almost 20 Bumbo seats for babies living in orphanages around Guangxi. Some of the Bumbo seats were donated, others were purchased from donated funds. It was SO exciting to think of the staff of orphanages and foster homes being able to use the Bumbos, which are unavailable in China. Often times in therapy, I will use or recommend the Bumbo seat to be used with babies who have weakness, low muscle tone, or high muscle tone. It can be a simple way to build strength and muscle control.

The orphanages have been using them, and have sent some photos of the precious babies who have been benefitting from the Bumbos.





It is great to see a child sitting outside in one



Hopefully the next time we see this sweet child she will be smiling



On behalf of all of the little ones in Guangxi who have benefitted from your love and generosity, THANK YOU!!!!



We hope to collect and hand carry more Bumbos for our 2011 trip. These little seats can make life so much easier and more fun for some very special babies!

The ultimate purpose in life....to give

Those words were spoken by a man named Narayanan Krishnan. He urges everyone to experience the joy of giving love to others. This is the ultimate purpose of our lives.
Hearing these words on this day seem so fitting, as I reflect on the world's greatest gift given to us many centuries ago in the form of a newborn baby. A gift which brings the ultimate hope and light for all of us.
And again, I am overwhelmed with the giving by others for the orphans in Guangxi. We have raised enough for 10 wheelchairs!!! Five orphanages will receive these gifts for their special needs kids.
Innocent children, whose bodies have been broken, will have their lives made just a little bit easier through the kindness and generosity of others around the world who understand just what Narayanan Krishnan has to say.

Hope for the Holidays

It has been 3 months since returning from China and the kids are still on my heart. I think about them daily, and have tried to think of more ways to help. During trainings and treatment planning I have spoken to the caregivers about the need for daily positioning for the children with Cerebral Palsy. Without the equipment, it has been difficult, but the staff is trying. One of the orphanages I have taught at has recently sent me this picture of a child they are trying to help:



The staff have used a child ride on toy to help this child to sit up. It is a great start but she needs more to gain better control of her little body.

I have been fortunate to work with friends in Nanning who have sent me some hope for these kids...hope for the holidays :)






This is made in China, and costs $207.19 USD to get one to an orphanage in Guangxi. It is my hope to get 6 chairs to the orphanages I have worked with to help the precious kids in their care. The chairs would allow the children to see the world in a different way from just laying on their backs all day. And it would benefit the children to gain better control over the muscles in their bodies. These chairs are desperately needed...

ANY donation amount would be helpful. In honor of the holidays, if a gift donation is made in someone's name, I can offer a certificate for presentation. Once the chairs are delivered, photos can be sent to the donor or recipient of a gift donation.

Donations can be accepted by paypal or credit card through the donate now button on this webpage. Paypal donations can also be made to knowinghope127@gmail.com

Would you please help give special Chairs for Christmas, special Chairs for Chanukah, or special Chairs for Chinese New Year? Would you help partner with me to give hope for the holidays? Together a difference can be made in the lives of orphans who do not have a chance at adoption.

On behalf of the sweet orphans waiting for chairs in Guangxi, thank you!!!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. A full day to spend in celebration of all that we are thankful for! As I sat and pondered the events of 2010, I was constantly reminded not of things, but of people. My girls. My family. My friends. The supporters of my work in China. The orphans. The village girls. Birthparents. People I have met, and those I have yet to meet. People who will undoubtedly touch my life, making it forever changed.



I thought back to the two villages we were privledged to spend time in several months ago. In each of these special places, people showed us such kindness and generosity. We met people, both young and old, who continuously made us smile.














As I think back to these small villages and the people who live in them, I can't help but smile. People with so little had such joy, just by the presence of others being with them. They clearly valued people, and were grateful for the people in their lives. Despite their hardships, they reminded me to be grateful for the gift of others. This is what is most important in life.












And so this Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the people who have been placed in my path. People who show me how to love, how to give, and how to hope.