The Three Musketeers and Advocacy Post

Once upon a time there was a beautiful little blonde girl named Milena.  Milena spent her days in an orphanage in Eastern Europe.  The care she received was very good but there were several other children there and she didn’t get the one-on-one attention she deserved.  Milena saw several of her friends leave the orphanage to go home with their new mommas and papas.  Milena wondered why she didn’t have a mamma or papa, she wondered if there was something wrong with her. You see, Milena was left at this orphanage in Eastern Europe primarily because she has Down syndrome.  In her country the medical care is not great and her birth mother did not feel she had the resources to take care of her.  In Milena’s birth country, there is no place for people with special needs other than orphanages and institutions.  When a child is born here with special needs, their families are encouraged to place them in orphanages and even to tell other family members that the child died!
So there Milena was, thinking there was something wrong with her, that she was unwanted and would never have a family of her own.  More and more friends were adopted and then all of a sudden Milena was 10 or 11 years old.  By that time, most of Milena’s friends now had families of their own, in fact there were just two other children left, we will call them “Annalise” and “Jake.”  Annalise, Jake and Milena were the forgotten and unwanted children despite their capabilities. Milena and her friends were soon transferred to an adult group home because they had aged out of their orphanage.  The chance of them getting families was now slim to none.  Little did Milena know that there was a family working hard to bring her home. 

Despite a few setbacks, in March of 2015 Milena met her mama for the first time!  She was shy at first but quickly warmed up to her mama and let her true colors shine!  By the end of the week Milena understood that she would be going back to America several months later.  At the end of the trip to meet Milena, her mama got to meet Milena’s lifelong friends, Annalise and Jake.  It was a pleasure to meet these beautiful children and Milena’s mama wanted so badly for them to know the love of a family as well! 

In July of 2015 Milena’s mama and papa came back to her country, had court and were legally declared her parents!  They went to her group home to pick her up where they again met Annalise and Jake.  It broke Milena’s mama’s heart to leave them behind, to be taking their lifelong friend to her new life in America.  What were the thoughts going through their heads?  Were they happy for Milena, jealous?  Only they know!  One thing was certain, her mama wanted desperately to find families for Annalise and Jake before it was too late.  You see, the US does not allow children to be adopted into the US after they turn 16.  This summer Annalise and Jake will be 13, leaving them less than 3 years to find forever families!  This blogpost is that mama’s cry for Annalise and Jake, a hope that their families will see them and take the steps necessary to bring them home forever!

Annalise and Jake also have Down syndrome but because of the great care they have received in their orphanage, they are very capable.  Throughout their lives they have heard and thus learned the English language, they care for several of their own needs, are independent with eating and toileting and are beyond polite.  Milena talks about Annalise and Jake often.  I would love for her to have play dates with them here in the states!

From Annalise's profile on Reece's Rainbow

"Girl, Born August 2003

Down syndrome, CHD (repaired)

This energy filled and vibrant little girl was born with Down syndrome in August of 2003 and is ready for an active family with lots of structure.  She can understand and speak two languages, including English. She had surgery to repair a heart defect in 2003, but has required no additional treatment.  Annalise is beaming with sunshine and loves cell phones and cameras, like all curious little girls!  She loves to be the center of attention and is very smart!

Updated April 2014:

Annalise is an active, friendly girl who speaks clearly with an extensive vocabulary. She uses short sentences and understands two languages, one of them English. Annalise walks independently, including up and down stairs.  Annalise has great self-help skills. She eats and drinks as well as dresses and undresses without assistance. She can wash her hands and brush her teeth on her own.

Annalise attends school where she has learned to count, recognize 25 letters, cut with scissors and paint. She can re-tell a short story and participates in simple games. Annalise likes to listen to music and dances very well. She would thrive in a loving family.

From a family who met her in March 2015: Annalise is a beautiful young lady with long brown hair and the most adorable freckles.  She is very sweet, but also quite independent.  She came right up to me and sat on my lap. She speaks some English and is very verbal in her native tongue.  The caregivers and other residents at her home speak English, so she has a good understanding of it.  Annalise is adored by the other residents and caregivers in her home."

I first met Annalise in March of 2015.  I met her when returning Milena to her orphanage.  I found Annalise to be silly and polite.  She liked my phone and wanted to see the pictures and videos on it.  Annalise and Milena made me "lunch" in the room they shared.  She is well loved and cared for in her orphanage but would thrive in a loving family.  Annalise is a gem!  She will turn 13 next month which means that she'll only have 3 more years to find a family before she is ineligible to be adopted (USCIS rules.)  Please help me share this beautiful, capable young lady.

Here is the lunch the girls made me in their room.

Here's what has been said about Jake on Reece's Rainbow

"Boy, Born February 2003

Down syndrome

Jake was born in February 2003 with Down syndrome.  He is a happy young man who loves animals and can talk about them for hours, especially about cats.   Jake can understand English and loves music and to sing!   Songs that have hand motions are his very favorite. He enjoys puzzles, books and Legos!   Please give Jake a chance!

Updated April 2014: Jake is an active, happy boy who attends school, likes to play games, and enjoys singing and dancing. Jake has well-developed self-help skills. He eats and drinks as well as dresses and undresses independently. Jake knows how to wash his hands and face, brush his teeth, and make his bed without assistance. Jake is also potty-trained. Jake speaks in short sentences and has a large vocabulary. He was exposed to the English language for the first several years of his life and can understand it. He tells stories, counts, and recognizes 27 letters. Jake understands simple rules and follows them. He would thrive in a loving family.

From a family who met him in 2015: Jake is such a nice boy.  He will greet you happily with a handshake.  Jake understands and speaks English as well as his native tongue.  The caregivers and other residents at his home speak English, so he has a very good understanding of it.  Jake is a very capable and independent boy.  He would thrive in a family of his own."

I also first met Jake in March of 2015.  He is a charmer and very smart!  Jake wanted to take me all around the orphanage to show me where everyone slept.  He is polite and quite the ham!  Jake would make a wonderful son and would do so well in a loving family.  Jake has less than 3 years to find a family as he is 13 years old!  

If you or anyone you know might be interested in adopting Annalise or Jake, please do not hesitate to contact Hopscotch Adoptions

*I can't show their faces in photos that are not already public*