We Left 2 Babies Behind...

Patrick and I both enjoyed spending time at the orphanage.  We really did.  The kids were great.  I got to hold some babies.  Always a favorite past time of mine.  I'd spend my life holding babies if I could.
The first day we were there, Patrick found a little boy all by himself in the play room.  He was just sitting there. No toys.  No friends.  Just sitting there.  Patrick sat down with him.
We found out that this cutie's name is N.  He stole Patrick's heart.
You see N is 9 years old and he has cerebral palsy.  He has tight muscles like Prasun and decreased use of his arms and problems speaking like Ananya.  He is just like our kids.  He could be our kids if God hadn't brought them into our family.

The thing about N is that you can see a GLOW in his eyes when you talk to him.  He listens and just eats it all up.
We learned that N doesn't go to school.  You see, in India there aren't laws that mandate an education for disabled children like in the US.  N also hasn't been getting the therapy that he needs.  I'm not entirely sure why.  I'm guessing that cost is the issue.  N is an orphan and doesn't have a mom and dad to fight for him. N lives in a country where there isn't an early intervention program.
N is precious to our family.  We want to help him.
The second day we were at the orphanage, I found a little baby (or so I thought) biting her arm.  I went to her because I couldn't not stop her.  She had cloth tied over her forearms.  It was apparent that the staff was trying to keep her from hurting herself.  I adjusted her "sleeves" and talked to her for a few minutes.  Then I went to find Varsha.  I was standing in the doorway of the nursery.  This precious girl could see me down the hall and started crying.  Well, I did what any momma would do.  I went and scooped her up.  She snuggled right into my arms.  She quit biting herself.  Immediately.

I found out that this precious girl was found and brought to the orphanage by the police 2 years ago.  They said at that time she was 4 years old.  She weighed about 7kg at that time (let me convert that for you that is 15.4 POUNDS).  Now Ananya weighed a little more than that when she came home at 2 years old. She was underweight.  This little girl now weighs close to 14 kg (about 30 pounds).  She was severely malnourished.  They told me she was severely mentally retarded.  All I could think was "well of course, she almost starved to death.  no telling how long she was in that condition".
Patrick and I would wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning for the rest of our trip thinking of nothing but N and A.  These 2 babies.  We would love to save them.  I'm hoping we can at least make a difference.  We are working on figuring out how to get the funds to add another caregiver to the orphanage for just these 2.  They would grow and develop so much with just a caregiver for these 2.
I would love to find a mom and dad for both of these kids.  I will be honest though.  It won't be for the faint of heart.  These 2 have physical disabilities.  It's going to take a significant amount of time to rehab them.  Even then, I can't say that they will meet developmental milestones.  I would expect N needs surgery.  Probably more than 1.  His family would need a home that is wheelchair accessible.  They would have to understand the difficulties of raising a child with speech problems.  Its not easy.
I will also say that both of these children deserve a family to protect them.  They need brothers and sisters to depend on.  They need a mom and dad to love them.  They need a future.
I can also guarantee that the family that adopts either of these children will gain far more than they put in.  That family will be better people with lots of faith.  Their kids will show personal growth that no one would believe. Its not an easy road. Its stressful.  Most days you want to pull your hair out.  Alot of those days aren't because of your children but because of all the people who are supposed to be helping you, but really just make your life difficult.
Its a hard road, but it is more than worth it.
Even if I found a family or 2 today for these 2, it would be awhile before they came home.  India is reorganizing their adoption program.  I really think that it will be great for special needs kids once it is up and running.  Unfortunately, they are working on getting started.  There is no program yet to match families with special needs children that are identified.  I'm sure it will come with time.  But for now, these 2 babies that my family is claiming as our own to simply be their protectors (we have no plans to adopt either of them because of circumstances during Varsha's adoption that make it seem unlikely we would be approved for either of them).
I just wanted to fill everyone in a little more on our trip.  Please pray for N and A.  I'll post more later when we have an idea of how much money we need to raise.  I'll be begging for your pennies later.  Maybe begging for a family for them soon.
***If you are interested in more information about these children, you can contact me.  I'll give you what information and impressions I have and forward you to Dillon International who has tons of experience in working with India.***