Save Valentine! (Updated!)

(In light of new developments I've added an EXCITING update to Valentine's story and a plea for another dear little boy I'd like you to meet...  The update is at the end, but if you haven't read the original post already I hope you will take time to read from beginning to end to get the full impact!)

(Original Post First)

Want to know what a "laying" room does to a child?

What happens when a child spends all their days in bed...

With no stimulation except banging their head or biting the bars of their crib?

This is Valentine

See his beautiful smile...

See his intelligent eyes...

Valentine has been in the laying room for a year...

Two families adopted children from that room...

They testify that he was intelligent and interactive about a year ago...

They saw him.

How he must have  longed to get out of that crib...

Please read Autumn's (Bohdan's Mama) and Carey's (Julia's Mama) posts about him!

They met him!

Last week a family met him...

And he was a different child...

He had regressed significantly...

His eyes are more vacant now...

He bangs his head for stimulation...

He screams...

The laying room and the boredom...

 Have caused this sweet intelligent boy to regress and deteriorate terribly!

He had family that planned to adopt him...

But because of his regression they felt they were not able to give him the level of care that he now needs...

They are devastated...

Please pray for them!

You can read what they wrote about him on their blog...

And leave them a word of encouragement!

And please pray for Valentine!

There IS hope for him!

Here he is last week trying to color...

He needs a special family...

To encourage him...

And help him to heal...

So he can recover and learn and grow!

He needs OUT of that crib!

Before long he will be transferred to an institution...

What will happen to him then?

How long can he survive the deprivation?

Please someone...

Save him!

And before you despair...

And think that Valentine is now a hopeless case...

Please go to this blog...

And read about Seth!

He was institutionalized...

But is making great progress now that he has a family to love and encourage him!

Here is Seth before transfer...

Here he is the day his family met him at the institution...

How could he not regress when he had to sit here everyday?

With nothing to do but listen to the moans and groans of his companions...

And watch them writhing in misery?

But...

With the love of a family...

He is progressing!

Here he is with his brother after being home for a little over a month...

After seven weeks home...

Feeding himself AGAIN...

A skill he LOST in the institution...

Learning to walk...

Here's what his mama says about him!

Seth is starting to speak English, and he understands us.  He is wearing his glasses most of the day.  He has AFO's.  He's playing with toys, engaging with his brothers, laughing more, sleeping well, understanding what it means to be loved and learning more every day.

See what love has done for Seth!

There IS hope for Valentin too!

Please help save him!

Here are some ways you can help!

Pray...

Donate to his fund...

Advocate for him on blogs, facebook, etc...

And if perchance he could be your son...

Please don't delay!

He needs to come home ASAP...

Before it's too late!

You can find his Reece's Ranbow profile here!


(End of Original Post)






EXCITING UPDATE!!!!!!!


I found out yesterday that Valentine has a family who plan to adopt him!
(I learned this from this blog! I read another post with more information here today.)


And Valentine is on the My Family Found me Page today!!!!


You can read his family's blog here!!!




I wrote this post earlier this week and planned to link it up on the Forget-Me-Not Friday linkup...


This little boy needed the word spread...


He needed a family ASAP!!!


Before Forget-ME-NOT Friday came, however, God had already answered our prayers!


I am linking this up anyway for a few reasons...


1.  Valentine still needs donations to his fund and prayers for a speedy adoption process so he can come home ASAP!  (His family has completed TWO adoptions in the last couple of years - the most recent adoption was in October 2011.  They would be greatly blessed by any donations you can give to help with the Valentine's adoption expenses!)


2. And so you can rejoice with me at God's answer to our prayers!



3.  I didn't get another post written yet, just arrived home from vacation this evening, and am exhausted., so I want to save the writing of a new post for another time...



4. And many other children are in laying rooms and institutions...


They need to be rescued too - and there is hope for their improvement as Seth's story illustrates (See original post above for more links & pictures of Seth!)...


For example...




Consider sweet Silas!

How is it that no one has yet chosen this darling little boy?

From his profile...

"Silas is a handsome little boy with brown hair and big brown eyes.  He is affectionate and has a glowing personality.   He is engaging, alert, and aware....


"Silas has already been transferred to the institution, and will remain bedridden the rest of his life is he is not adopted soon."


These words were written some time ago...

Silas is now 7 years old...

I hope he still has his sparkle...

I hope that the institution and life in bed have not stolen all his hope...

Silas has $11 dollars in his grant fund...

He needs a lot more!

Please pray for Silas!

Pray that his dismal life does not crush his spirit...

Pray that a family chooses him soon - before it's too late...

Donate if your are able!

Share Silas' story and picture and Reece's Rainbow Link...

I'd love to see him on the my family found me page and to watch him blossom with the love of a family!  Wouldn't you?

This post is a part of the Forget Me Not Friday Linkup organized by Jane!

Please check it out here! And consider linking up a post of your own!

Here post this week can be found here!